The Edenton Steamers of the Coastal Plain League announced today the signing of two Division II All-Americans to its 2011 roster.  Joe Wendle and Dave Bartuska (BAR-TUSK-AH), both juniors, are the latest players signed for the upcoming season after Blasik, Bassitt, and Glover were featured last week.

Wendle, the 6’1”, 190-pound infielder, attends West Chester University (PA) in the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference.  A second baseman that bats left-handed, Wendle expects to be the everyday second baseman and a middle of the order bat for the Golden Rams after being recognized as a Division II All-American this preseason by Baseball America.  The Lincoln University, PA native spent his 2010 summer playing for the Sanford Mainers in the New England Collegiate Baseball League, where he led the league in runs scored with 31 and paced his team in stolen bases, going 11 for 11.  His .311 batting average and .396 on-base percentage both ranked second for the Mainers.  Wendle’s above average plate discipline and contact rate make him a consistent batter from the left side to the tune of hitting safely in 33 of his final 39 games last summer with Sanford.  Despite average speed, Wendle has shown an ability to make great reads and has good instincts on the base paths and looks to figure into the Steamers aggressive offensive philosophy.  Wendle is a steady, sure-handed second baseman with a smooth turn on the double play ball and looks to take the next step in his evolution as an impact bat with more extra-base hits.

Bartuska joins the Steamers from Dominican College (NY) in the Central Atlantic College Conference where he expects to return as the ace of the pitching staff.  The right-handed, 6’0”, 175-pound Charger spent 2010 playing for the Lackawanna Lumberjacks in the Atlantic Collegiate Baseball League. Bartuska did it all for the Lumberjacks on the mound, appearing in ten games total with five starts. He pitched 38.2 innings, tossing one complete game and earning two saves.  He struck out 37 and only allowed five walks while posting an ERA of 2.33 and a .91 WHIP.  Bartuska was rewarded for his success in 2010 when Baseball America ranked him as the tenth best prospect in the ACBL after finishing fourth in the league in WHIP and sixth in SO rate at .96 K/IP amongst league qualifiers.   Entering the 2011 season Bartuska was named as an NCAA Division II All-American and the eighth best prospect in all of Division II by Baseball America.  He is an undersized right-handed starter who has shown big-time stuff and he should come in with a competitive chip on his shoulder at this level.  The high prospect rankings he received last summer and this preseason have him on the national radar already.  He is a bulldog on the hill with three quality pitches, including a fastball that sits between 87-91 mph.  He has the chance to come in and be an important part of the Edenton rotation this summer.

The Edenton Steamers compete during the summer at Historic Hicks Field in downtown Historic Edenton, North Carolina. Heading into its 15th season, the Coastal Plain League features 15 teams playing in North Carolina, South Carolina and Virginia. The CPL gives college players the chance to refine their skills with wooden bats. Players are housed with local host families for the summer and past experiences have been very positive for both players and hosts. The CPL has had over 800 alumni drafted and 39 alums make their Major League debut thus far. For more information on the Coastal Plain League, please visit the league Web site at http://www.coastalplain.com. For more information on the Edenton Steamers, please visit the team website at http://www.edentonsteamers.com.