Steamers Bolster Roster with Two More Returners
February 17, 2014 - Coastal Plain League (Coastal Plain)
Edenton Steamers News Release
EDENTON, N.C - The Edenton Steamers of the Coastal Plain League announce today the re-signings of the final two returners for the 2014 summer. Outfielder/infielder Nick Thompson and pitcher Alex Westrick will once again suit up for Edenton. Both players were members of the club last season that won both first and second-half East Division titles, finished as the number one seed heading into the Petitt Cup Playoffs and ended the summer ranked sixth in the nation according to Perfect Game CrossChecker.
Thompson, a junior at the College of William and Mary (VA) in the NCAA Division I Colonial Athletic Association, bats and throws right-handed and will primarily serve as an outfielder for the Tribe this spring. A 6-1, 200-pound Chesapeake, V.A., native, Thompson had a slash line of .297/.471/.594 and led the CPL, while setting a new Steamer record, with a 1.065 OPS. His eight doubles, three triples, nine home runs and 41 walks (also a Steamer franchise record) to 27 strikeouts earned him a midseason all-star selection, as well as, a postseason first-team honor, both as a second baseman. Along with leading the league in OPS, he was also tops in slugging average and runs (42), finished second in on-base average and walks, tied for second in home runs, third in RBIs (39) and fifth in total bases (82).
At season's end he was chosen as the second annual recipient of the Katy Ebersole "Heart and Soul" Award given to the Edenton player that best exhibits the hard work and passion on the field that Ebersole demonstrated off the field through her many years as president of the Steamers. Statistically, Thompson was the most valuable offensive player in the CPL last summer after pacing the circuit in OPS and run-creation, totaling 81 combined runs and RBIs. The latter figure was even more impressive because he had significantly fewer plate appearances than other league leaders after not beginning the summer as an everyday player.
He has one of the most professional approaches at the plate of any Steamer in franchise history, which combines elite plate discipline and gives him an uncanny ability to consistently get his pitch and do damage when he does. On top of his offensive prowess, he lends Coach Hill a lot of flexibility due to his versatility to play multiple positions and fit comfortably up and down the lineup.
Westrick, also a junior, hails from Zionsville, I.N., and is expected to be a weekend starter this spring for the Xavier University (OH) Musketeers in the NCAA Division I Big East Conference. The left-handed pitcher stands at 5-10, 175 pounds and made eight appearances, logging 7.1 innings for Edenton last summer. He wrapped up his season with a 3.68 ERA, 0.82 WHIP, .185 batting average against and picked up six strikeouts to issuing just one walk.
Last summer following a spring when he was one of the most consistent and effective starters in the Atlantic Ten Conference (Xavier joined the Big East in 2014), Westrick was limited in his first go-round with the Steamers while battling multiple injuries. He showed a lot of mental toughness to work through his setbacks and showed that he could pitch very well in a bullpen role before eventually succumbing to summer-ending ailments to both hamstrings. Due to his starter-background at Xavier he brings the ability to pitch multiple innings or match up favorably versus left-handed hitters when healthy and can use his breaking ball as a weapon. The Steamer coaching staff is excited to see what he is capable of doing over the course of a full healthy summer.
Along with John Williams, Jake McCoy and Rohn Pierce, who were previously announced, Thompson and Westrick provide the 2014 Clams with a great foundation of experienced leadership and proven CPL producers.
The Edenton Steamers are a proud member of the Coastal Plain League, the nation's hottest summer collegiate baseball league. Celebrating its 17th season in 2013, 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 1,000 alumni drafted and 63 alums - including 2011 AL MVP and Cy Young winner Justin Verlander -make their Major League debut thus far. For more information on the Coastal Plain League, please visit the league website at www.coastalplain.com, and be sure to friend us on Facebook (at www.facebook.com/coastalplainleague) and follow us via Twitter (as cplbaseball).
Coastal Plain League Stories from February 17, 2014
- Steamers Bolster Roster with Two More Returners - Edenton Steamers
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