Greek national pitcher Daniel Gosselin will lead the Geelong Baycats’ bullpen this summer

The Geelong Baycats senior mentor is confident his side can soar back up the ladder after recruiting a Greek national team pitcher and a club legend returning to help coach.

The Geelong Baycats’ bullpen has received a boost after the signing of Greek national team pitcher Daniel Gosselin for the coming season.

The 26-year-old was a French Division 1 All-Star for the Montpellier Barracudas in 2023.

The leftie can reportedly pitch in the mid-80mph mark and has coaching experience, guiding younger players at the Barracudas.

His inclusion will hopefully give the Baycats a lift in their 40th anniversary year after finishing 10th in the 2022/23 Victorian Summer Baseball League season.

Geelong Baycats coach Lewis Weldon in action. Picture: Alan Barber

Baycats coach Lewis Weldon said the club had recruited Gosselin for his skills and ability to guide some emerging pitchers.

“We’ve brought him over to basically be the anchor of the staff,” Weldon said.

“To help a lot with the young guys we’ve got as well.”

The pen also includes former Melbourne Aces and Guild All-Stars pitcher Hayden Peoples, Bellarine Bears premiership players Chris Hockey, Sam Gibbons and Brock Wells and Baycats veteran and former college player James Wood.

The Baycats maintain a strong Bears connection with premiership player Jye Robinson also suiting up for 2023.

The club has also acquired Harvey Mitchell-Hill, who has moved to Anglesea and is likely to play second for third base.

Bellarine’s Jye Robinson is one of many Bears in the Baycats line-up. Picture: Mark Lazarus

The Baycats’ coaching staff has also been bolstered by the return of former national representative and Baycats legend Nathan Holmes.

“His number is the only one retired by the club,” Weldon said.

Weldon said Riley Peoples, Tanner Stack and Jordan Ellis were seen as the club’s “top juniors” and the future of the Baycats.

However, Point Cook-based Tyler Luther-Wilson has moved to Newport while Chris and Harper Rickard have gone to Williamstown.

The club will also celebrate its 40th anniversary in Round 2 against Sunshine at the Geelong Baseball Centre on October 14, with servants Peter Moulton, Don Stevens and Leanne Gibbons still around from those early days.

Originally published as Greek national pitcher Daniel Gosselin will lead the Geelong Baycats’ bullpen this summer