Travis Beausoleil has logged many miles to watch his players compete in various summer baseball leagues.

It's well worth his time, effort and expense.

Beausoleil, the Mitchell College coach, is thrilled with his players' progress. They're more than holding their own in leagues loaded with talented players, including many from the higher Division I and Division II levels.

"It's phenomenal," Beausoleil said. "A lot of them have had really good success, too."

Eddie Santiago of New London is one of the success stories.

Santiago is a starting pitcher for the Wachusett Dirt Dawgs, one of the top teams in the Futures Collegiate Baseball League of New England. He's achieved all-star status, owning a 4-2 record with a 2.97 earned run average in 11 games, including six as a starter. He's expected to start in Wachusett's opening-round playoff series next week.

After taking part in a Futures League tryout last spring, Santiago was offered a contract by Wachusett. He's been living in a Fitchburg State University dorm suite with a few teammates.

He welcomed the challenge of playing against much tougher competition than he faced at Mitchell College.

"It's definitely a step up from my spring season," Santiago said. "At first, it was an adjustment. During the spring, I would just throw fastballs up in the zone and try to blow it by everyone. This league, they're used to the velocity. You have to learn how to pitch. It will make me better for next year."

Wachusett coach Dan Generelli, a former pitcher in the Red Sox organization, has worked with Santiago on his slider and improving his command.

"He's been there before so I've been taking notes on everything that he's been saying," Santiago said.  "Coach said not to make anybody better than they are. I've been pounding the strike zone. Coach said I had a bunch of walks because I was trying to do too much. He said I'd be more effective if I cut down on my walks."

Santiago has followed Generelli's advice, walking 14 in 39.1 innings while striking out 40.

His latest start may have been his best of the summer.

In an 8-1 win over the North Shore Navigators on Aug. 1, Santiago allowed just four hits and no runs while striking out six and walking three. A high pitch count prevented him from going longer than five innings.

Santiago, a New England Collegiate Conference second team pick last spring, says he'll return to Mitchell this fall for his senior year a more mature pitcher.

There will be no shortage of motivation next season for Santiago, who still feels the pain of the NECC championship series defeat to Lesley University from early May. He regularly watches video of the walk-off grand slam that beat the Mariners, who had their impressive streak of three straight NCAA trips broken.

"It pushes me every day," Santiago said. "The entire team is motivated by that."

Santiago isn't the only Mariner having a productive season on the summer circuit.

Garet Griffin earned a starting shortstop job with the Mystic Schooners of the New England Collegiate Baseball league and just completed a solid season. After a rough start at the plate, he finished strong, raising his final average to .232, while playing sparkling defense.

"He started out slow and then really picked it up," Beausoleil said. "He really proved that he could play in the league the last couple of weeks. Garet is proving he can play shortstop at next level and will get a look."

Left-handed pitcher Brian Ricker has impressed playing for the Fayetteville (N.C.) Swampdogs who belong to the Coastal Plains League. He's appeared in 10 games, starting two, and has posted a 1-2 record with a 4.50 earned run average.

"He's been a big surprise," Beausoleil said. "He's doing great in a really competitive league. I'm proud of him. He's doing a great job down there keeping guys off-balance."

Catcher Markus Melendez is back with Wachusett after a 16-game stint with the Rome Generals in the New York Collegiate Baseball League. Infielder Kyle Hartenstein had a temporary contract with Brockton in the Futures League.

Beausoleil called the summer experience for his players invaluable. It also does wonders for the Mitchell baseball program's reputation.

"It's been awesome," Beausoleil said. "It allows for individual growth and also shows that the program is no joke."

g.keefe@theday.com