The Canberra Cavalry lured Zach Wilson in from the sunny shores of California two years ago to do one job: go big.
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Earning back-to-back silver sluggers and finishing third in the Australian Baseball League batting leaders, it's only fitting he was named the Cavalry's most valuable player at their end of season awards on Tuesday.
![Zach Wilson won the Cav's most valuable player of the year. Picture: Sitthixay Ditthavong Zach Wilson won the Cav's most valuable player of the year. Picture: Sitthixay Ditthavong](/images/transform/v1/crop/frm/fdcx/doc73begz467jtd42tekgo.jpg/r353_523_5472_3575_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg)
The 29-year-old batter was instrumental in Canberra's finals return, boasting the fourth-best batting average in the league (.368).
Cavalry chief executive Donn McMichael has "enormous faith" in what Wilson can bring to the club when he returns Down Under next season.
"He's probably been our best hitter for the past three years. He brings steely resolve to succeed and is very good on first base," McMichael said.
"We're excited to have re-signed him for the next two years. We've got enormous faith in his ability to succeed."
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Steve Kent kicked off the Olympic year to a dream start, winning back-to-back pitcher-of-the-season honours despite being delegated to the ball-pen for Canberra's first two series.
The Australian international played sixteen matches over the season, finishing with an ERA of 2.03 and a 0.81 WHIP rating.
Kent will suit up for Australia when they head to Taiwan for their last chance to qualify for the Tokyo Olympic Games in April.
"It's a great sign [being an Olympic year]," McMichael said.
"He's arguably the best starting pitcher in the league and has been for the last two years, although we used him in a slightly different role as a closer this year.
"He has all the talent in the world."
Chuckie Robinson and Robbie Perkins were joint-winners of the golden glove award, with the latter earning the crown for the third consecutive season.
American import James Mulry won the community service award, while Cam Wilson took out the player's player and manager's awards.
"We've got great confidence in him and we're looking forward to the future. He's got the world at his feet," McMichael said.
"I wouldn't be surprised if he got re-signed at all, he's our third baseman.
"He's been hitting really well in the number two spot in the batting order, which is a significant place."
Canberra Cavalry 2010-20 season awards
Most valuable player: Zach Wilson
Pitcher of the year: Steve Kent
Offensive player of the year: Zach Wilson
Defensive player of the year: Chuckie Robinson and Robbie Perkins
Manager's award: Cam Wilson
Player's player award: Cam Wilson
Community award: James Mulry