The Canberra Cavalry have struck gold after securing star Brisbane pitcher Rhys Niit for the next two seasons of the Australian Baseball League.
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The Gold Coast native has spent his seven-year career playing for the Brisbane Bandits, who have claimed the past four ABL championships.
![Pitcher Rhys Niit has signed a two-year deal with the Canberra Cavalry after winning four ABLChampionship with Brisbane. Picture: SMP Images Pitcher Rhys Niit has signed a two-year deal with the Canberra Cavalry after winning four ABLChampionship with Brisbane. Picture: SMP Images](/images/transform/v1/crop/frm/fdcx/doc75cczq050z711wddfamh.jpg/r0_133_2334_1446_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg)
The veteran pitcher has an ERA of 3.87 and has taken 98 strikeouts since making his ABL debut in 2011.
Niit, 28, said he was looking forward to teaming up with Australian pitcher Steven Kent and leading the Cavalry towards the final series.
"I'm excited for the change and to see what comes from it," Niit said.
"They have some pretty big arms down there so I will help out wherever I can. [The opportunity] was right for me at this time of my career and I'm looking forward to the season ahead and trying to win a championship."
Nitt has no reservations about facing his former side and has his sights set on winning the championship for the Cavalry.
"There's always going to be added adrenaline but I'm not nervous," Niit said.
"No doubt it's going to be different on the other side of the field but that's baseball. Situations change and getting an opportunity to pitch is the biggest thing."
Niit is the third Gold Coast native to join the Cavalry and will reunite with childhood friends Josh Warner and Steve Chambers in the nation's capital.
The trio, who are all based in Queensland, will fly in-and-out of Canberra for home games and will meet the Cavalry on the road for interstate matches.
![Rhys Niit will reunite with childhood friends Josh Warner and Steve Chambers at the Cavalry. Picture: SMP images Rhys Niit will reunite with childhood friends Josh Warner and Steve Chambers at the Cavalry. Picture: SMP images](/images/transform/v1/crop/frm/fdcx/doc75cczq60ejqru97elnn.jpg/r0_216_2940_1869_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg)
"It'll be fun to be playing with [Warner and Chambers] again," Niit said.
"The three of us will work closely together and get our work cut in up here to make sure we're ready for the weekend.
"Hopefully the team will shape together well leading up to the season."
Niit's multi-year deal comes after David 'Kandiman' Kandilas recommitted to the club for the 2019-20 season.
The slugger joined the Cavalry three years ago and is one of the most consistent hitters in ABL history. Kandilas boasts a batting average of .284 and smashed 18 of his 25 career homeruns while playing for Canberra.