Steamers Conclude Best Regular Season in History
August 18, 2011 - Coastal Plain League (Coastal Plain)
Edenton Steamers News Release
EDENTON, NC - The Edenton Steamers 2011 has concluded as the most successful on the diamond in their 14-year history. This regular season saw the Steamers break 13 franchise records, including setting six different Coastal Plain League marks, send six representatives to the All-Star festivities, clinch both first and second half North Division titles, earn the top seed in the Petitt Cup Playoffs, and hold the ranking of #1 summer collegiate team in the nation for five straight weeks according to Perfect Game CrossChecker.
Edenton set new franchise standards for wins, with 44, and a .800 winning percentage for the regular season. They slugged .399 and had an OPS of .787 to go along with 12 triples as a team. They set new marks in total bases with 756, stolen bases with 131, and held opposing hitters to their lowest batting average against ever at .210.
To go along with the eight new franchise team records, the Steamers set six new CPL marks during 2011. Those include consecutive winning seasons, with their eighth in a row, and wins in a half with a 25-3 mark in the second half of the CPL season. They also set a new CPL record for on-base percentage as a team at .388, runs scored with 370, RBI with 322, and bases on balls with 280.
On the individual level, Joey Wendle, a junior from West Chester University (PA), had one of the most impressive seasons in franchise history. He set a new record for hits in a single season in the CPL with 81, along with establishing a new franchise best for assists by a second baseman with 158, and he tied the franchise mark for batting average in a season at .377. The lefty hitter also had a 21-game hitting streak and a 36-game on-base streak, as well as being named to the 2011 National All-Star team. Wendle was the 2011 recipient of the Gieseke Gold Award, given to the most outstanding Steamer during the course of the season.
Ryan Brenner, a junior from Miami University in Ohio, set the franchise mark for stolen bases in a season, with 35, and putouts by an outfielder with 124 in total. Brenner was awarded the Goodman Glove Award, presented to the most outstanding defender during the 2011 season. Brenner, like Wendle, also was named to the 2011 National All-Star Team.
Dustin Quattrocchi, a junior from Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville, established a new mark in appearances out of the bullpen, as he was the most often used arm by Coach Dirk Kinney. Quattrocchi appeared 36 times in the regular season and another five in the postseason for 41 total relief outings in 2011.
Edenton tore through the Coastal Plain League season in 2011, finishing 19-8 in the first half and clinching the North Division first half title. Edenton followed its great beginning with an even better second half. The Steamers turned in the best half in Coastal Plain League history, notching a 25-3 mark and easily securing the North Division second half title, as well as the top seed entering the Petitt Cup Playoffs.
Along the way Edenton had six All-Star selections from its 2011 squad, as well as its head coach Dirk Kinney, who was chosen to lead the National side for the game played in Fayetteville. Joshua Branstetter, Brooks Fiala, Brian Blasik, Joey Wendle, Jordan Egan, and Ryan Brenner were the Steamers 2011 All-Star player representatives. Dirk Kinney capped his season off by being named the 2011 CPL Coach of the Year, a first in franchise history, after leading his Steamers to a 49-14 overall mark and making a run to the Petitt Cup Championship series.
Edenton finished the 2010 season ranked as the 20th best summer collegiate baseball team in the nation before opening at number three when the 2011 week one rankings were released by Perfect Game CrossChecker. Week two saw the Steamers move up one spot to the number two ranked summer collegiate baseball team in the nation, the highest ranking in their history. The week three rankings had the Steamers ranked number one in the nation in summer collegiate baseball and they maintained that designation through week eight for a total of five consecutive weeks at number one.
Coastal Plain League Stories from August 18, 2011
- SwampDogs Receive 2011 CPL Organization of the Year Honor - Fayetteville SwampDogs
- Fayetteville SwampDogs Named 2011 CPL Organization of the Year - Coastal Plain
- Thomasville's Edwards Named 2011 CPL Broadcaster of the Year - Coastal Plain
- Steamers Conclude Best Regular Season in History - Edenton Steamers
- Tobs to Host Two Final Workouts for High School Fall League - Wilson Tobs
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
