WHIV 2056.12- Harrell Making It Look Easy

[recte44]

Being a rookie in the BBA means a lot of things. Most rookies speak about the huge adjustments they had to make, about the challenges they never had to face before, about finding their place in the league and ultimately earning their stripes. Most rookies don't describe their first few weeks in the BBA as easy. To his credit, Las Vegas Hustlers' rookie left-handed pitcher Bret Harrell hasn't said it's easy either, but he's making it look that way.

Harrell, a 23 year old native of Altadena, California, made the club out of Spring Training as a left-handed reliever and subsequently made his BBA debut against Rocky Mountain on April 2nd, throwing 2 1/3 innings of scoreless relief. He pitched three more times in relief the next two weeks, in total allowing just one earned run in 6 2/3 innings of relief work. Prior to the Hustlers' game against the Calgary Pioneers on April 22nd, Las Vegas manager Edward Allen called Harrell into his office. We were there to capture the moment.

Allen: "Harrell, we're making a change." (said seriously and sternly, the type of tone that usually precedes bad news)

Harrell: "Yeah, skip?" (clearly concerned about being sent back to the minors)

Allen: "We've decided to make a move with you." (Allen tried to fight back a grin and continue the charade)

Harrell: "Whatever it is, I get it." (He said, with his head down, dejected.)

Allen: "As you know Johnny (Rasmussen III) is starting today."

Harrell: "Yeah, I know."

Allen: "Well, we spoke to him this morning and let him know that he's actually not starting today."

Harrell: "What do you mean?"

Allen: "Would you like to start today???"

Harrell: (a wide grin flashing over his previously devastated face). "You bet! Wow, I won't let you down, skip!"

Allen: "That's what we're counting on, kid. Go get 'em!"


And get 'em he did. In his first start at any level since 2044, Harrell was amazing:

Off Topic

Hustlers Win 2-1 Walk-Off
The Calgary Pioneers went down to defeat to Bret Harrell and his Las Vegas teammates. The final score was 2-1 in favor of the Hustlers. Las Vegas reliever Francisco Salgado picked up the win, upping his record to 2-0. Joe Walter took the loss. Las Vegas has a record of 9-11.

The Hustlers relied on shortstop Juan Luis Manuel for the game-winning hit. And, in the bottom of the tenth, he delivered, hitting a run-scoring double to seal the deal.

"Put a star next to this win," Manuel said.

Player IP H R ER BB K HR PI ERA
B. Harrell 6.0 3 0 0 1 6 0 80 0.71

Then, on Friday, April 28th at Edmonton, the kid was called on to start again. This game also went well:

Off Topic

Hustlers Collect 6-2 Win Versus Edmonton
Getting a good performance from second baseman Eugene Wolfe, the Las Vegas Hustlers defeated the Edmonton Jackrabbits, 6-2. Wolfe was 2-5 with a home run, while scoring 2 runs and driving in 3 for the Hustlers. Bret Harrell picked up the win, improving his season record to 2-0. He struck out 4 in 5 innings. The win gives the Hustlers a record of 12-13.

Early in the game, Wolfe had a 3-run home run for Las Vegas. It was his 2nd home run of the season and put the Hustlers on top, 4-1.

"We put it together today and came out with the win," Wolfe said in postgame remarks. "That's the main thing."

Player IP H R ER BB K HR PI ERA
B. Harrell W (2-0) 5.0 4 1 1 1 4 0 87 1.02

Allen hasn't officially said Harrell has now won a permanent spot in the rotation moving forward. Does he really have to say it?

[Jwalk100]

Harrell has good stuff even with low velocity. Good change and curveball.

[Knucklehead254]

bin Badr has also been lights out for me so far. Glad the trade has benefitted us both!