Canberra Cavalry manager Michael Collins says he won't hesitate giving 15-year-old pitcher Brodie Vassalakis a chance to prove himself in the Australian Baseball League after blooding the youngest player in the competition's history.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The Cavalry returned to Canberra on Sunday night after losing their opening weekend of the season, falling to the Brisbane Bandits 4-2 in the last match to go down 3-1 in the series.
Collins is confident they can bounce back quickly for a clash against arch-rivals the Sydney Blue Sox in the capital from Thursday night.
The Cavalry got their first win on Saturday night but couldn't back it up less than 24 hours later in a tight defeat.
But the strength of the bullpen, and in particular the debut of Vassalakis, has Collins confident of a turnaround this week.
"We just didn't carry that momentum over on offence [on Sunday], but that's somewhat to be expected early in the season," Collins said.
"The positive side of that is that we pitched very, very well. Sean Guinard threw very, very well and put in an outstanding effort to give us a chance to win.
"The offence didn't quite click over to get the win he deserved, but the positive of week one is outstanding effort from the pitchers."
The Cavalry had a strong opening with two pitchers at the opposite ends of their careers making positive marks for the season ahead.
Hayden Beard made his comeback after three years of battling shoulder injuries while baby-faced Vassalakis got a taste of ABL action.
Vassalakis has been earmarked as a player with a huge future and went to the US earlier this year for a spring training camp as part of the Australian under-19s team.
It is believed Vassalakis is the youngest player in ABL history and he will be given a development role throughout the Cavalry's season.
"I'll try to get him as much experience as possible, give him as many opportunities he can learn from to help his development," Collins said.
"Obviously he is the youngest player and he is going to face challenges. He is still learning some of the things at this level.
"But I will use him in situations that can best suit him, get him out there as much as possible because I do think that is important.
"But I obviously don't want to throw him into the fire, either, or put him in situations he's not ready for."
AT A GLANCE
Canberra 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 - 2R 6H 2E
Brisbane 0 0 0 0 0 1 2 1 X - 4R 8H 1E (Canberra lose series 3-1)
Star Cavalry players: Sean Guinard (5.1IP, 4H, 1ER, 3K), Robbie Perkins (2H, RBI), David Kandilas (H, RBI).
ABL round two: Canberra Cavalry v Sydney Blue Sox at Narranbundah Ballpark, 7pm Thursday.
