The 2011 Edenton Steamers were one of the most successful teams in modern Coastal Plain League history.  An impressive 49-14 combined overall record and being the Perfect Game CrossChecker top-ranked summer collegiate team in the nation for five straight weeks were truly amazing.  Great overall team success often leads to individual recognition.  14 past and future Edenton Steamers were decorated recently with preseason conference accolades by College Sports Madness.

The former Steamers honored were:

2010 LHP Charlie McCready from Charleston Southern University was named to the Big South Conference 1st team.  While with the Steamers, McCready fashioned a 2.33 ERA over 19.1 innings with 18 strikeouts against 5 walks.

2010 OF Brian Billigen, Cornell University, Ivy League 2nd team; one of the toolsiest players in club history; a former Gieseke Gold Award winner; rated a 2010 CPL top-ten prospect by both Baseball America and Perfect Game CrossChecker after earning midseason all-star honors and finishing with a .325/.417/.515 slash line, 19-20 in stolen bases, 80 errorless chances, mostly in RF, and a club-record 5 triples.

2010-2011 OF/IF Brian Blasik, University of Dayton, Atlantic Ten Conference Field Player of the Year; one of the finest Steamer players ever and a member of both CPL runner-up teams, as well as a 2011 all-star; played 2B, SS, 3B, LF, and RF during his Edenton career and will return to SS this spring for the Flyers; over two summers at Hicks Field, produced .295-.384-.408 averages in 387 AB, 26 doubles (including a team record 15 in 2010), 47 walks against 41 strikeouts, and a perfect 36 of 36 in steals.

2011 RHP Brooks Fiala, Miami University-Ohio, Mid American Conference 2nd team; another 2011 all-star; was the ace of the Steamers rotation before succumbing to a shoulder ailment down the stretch; numbers finished at 8 starts, 45.1 IP, 2.58 ERA, .97 WHIP, and 41 K to 6 BB.

2011 RHP Esteban Guzmán, San Jose State University, Western Athletic Conference Pitcher of the Year; a late arrival last summer after contemplating signing with the Washington Nationals as a 17th-rounder; went 2-0 with a 1.17 ERA in 3 appearances, throwing Edenton’s only complete game in his lone start; spanning 15.1 innings, fanned 15 while only permitting 10 base runners.

2011 3B Mitch Wells, Central Connecticut State University, Northeast Conference Field Player of the Year; before departing early last season was a strong defender at the hot corner while controlling the strike zone (14 BB to 16 SO) and posting a .330 on-base average.

The following 2012 Edenton Steamers signees have also been named to their respective conferences’ preseason teams:

Spencer Branigan, University of Pennsylvania first baseman, Ivy League 1st team

Ray Ortega, Manhattan College catcher, Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference 1st team

Jonathan Davis, University of Central Arkansas outfielder, Southland Conference 1st team

Hank LaRue, Middle Tennessee State University third baseman, Sun Belt Conference 1st team

Nate Hill, Troy University left-handed relief pitcher, Sun Belt Conference 2nd team

Koby Kraemer, Indiana State University infielder, Missouri Valley Conference 2nd team

Blaise Fernández, George Mason University infielder, Colonial Athletic Association 2nd team

D.J. Johnson, Mercer University utility, Atlantic Sun Conference 2nd team

More details will be released about these players, and all other 2012 Steamer signees, in forthcoming player press releases.

Baseball America also published its 2012 small college baseball preview and named Joe Wendle the #7 professional prospect in all of NCAA Division II.  The West Chester University second baseman is the reigning Gieseke Gold Award winner, a midseason all-star, and the only 2011 Steamer to be recognized as a top prospect by both Baseball America and Perfect Game CrossChecker at the conclusion of last summer.  These accolades came on the strength of a summer that saw him break the CPL record for hits (81) along with Steamer single-season marks in hitting streak (21 games), batting average (tied .377), total bases (109), and assists by a second baseman (158).

Just prior to press time on this release, Baseball America uploaded its NCAA Division I North Region preview.  2012 Steamers signee Kevin McCarthy (Marist College, RHP) is recognized as the #2 professional prospect in the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference.  McCarthy, a sophomore, is not even draft-eligible until 2013.

Steamer fans can look forward to another round of preseason recognition for its players when Baseball America and Perfect Game CrossChecker publish their complete 2012 projections.

The Edenton Steamers are a proud member of the Coastal Plain League, the nation’s hottest summer collegiate baseball league.  The Coastal Plain League is the nation’s hottest summer collegiate baseball league. Celebrating its 16th season in 2012, the CPL features 14 teams playing in North Carolina, South Carolina and Virginia. The CPL gives college players the chance to refine their skills with the use of wooden bats. Players are housed with local host families for the summer and past experiences have been very positive for both players and hosts. Furthermore, the CPL has had over 930 alumni drafted and 46 alums make their Major League debut thus far. For more information on the Coastal Plain League, please visit the league website at http://www.coastalplain.com, and be sure to friend us on Facebook (at http://www.facebook.com/coastalplainleague) and follow us via Twitter (as cpleague).

Chip Pruden

(252) 482-4080