With visibility fading in the bottom of the fifth following a 30-minute rain delay, Rake Showcase 17U center fielder Chase Cavallaro chopped a grounder back up the middle. Collegeville Spiders shortstop Braden Allen made a full-extension stop, but Cavallaro still reached safely on a fielder’s choice.
Then, he did what he’d been doing all game: cause chaos on the basepaths.
He bolted from first to third on a passed ball, then scored on a double — the final run before the game was called due to poor visibility. The 6-1 win marked Rake’s third straight and handed the previously undefeated Spiders their first loss of the season.
After a quiet start to select league play, Cavallaro has been central to Rake’s recent surge. He went 1-for-2 with a walk, two stolen bases, and crossed the plate three times on Wednesday..
“After losing two games to [Collegeville] last time, it’s big to come out here and get a win,” Cavallaro said. “Even with the rain delay, we fought strong and fought through it.”
Cavallaro’s ability to grind through adversity has defined his high school career as well. He hit .220 this past spring for Archbishop Wood with five doubles, 13 RBIs, and his first high school home run. A year earlier, he batted .357 with a 1.088 OPS in 42 at-bats as a sophomore.
He helped lead Wood to a 9-3 record and a second-place finish in the Philadelphia Catholic League before the Vikings were bounced in the semifinals by Archbishop Ryan. Still, the season helped sharpen his approach.
“The high school baseball season really helps me out as a player,” Cavallaro said. “To come out every day, stay sharp, and see strong competition — that helps here too.”
He’s not the biggest name or the biggest frame on the roster, but Cavallaro plays like he belongs. He’s found his rhythm, and with summer ball heating up, he’s giving Rake a reliable table-setter at the top of the order — and a relentless problem for opposing defenses.
“He doesn’t let anything get to him,” said Rake head coach Tyler Frake. “He started out rough, but I didn’t move him down the lineup at all. I kept him in the two spot because I want him to fight through it. I’m not going to drop him down to see different pitches — I want him to get their best.”
Cavallaro was also a key contributor for Archbishop Wood this past high school season. He hit .220 with five doubles, 13 RBIs, and his first career homer. As a sophomore, he batted .357 with a 1.088 OPS over 42 at-bats. He helped lead Wood to a 9-3 record and a second-place finish in the Philadelphia Catholic League before the Vikings were eliminated in PCL semis.
“The high school season really helps me out as a player,” Cavallaro said. “To come out every day, stay sharp, and see really good competition — that helps here too.”
He’s not the biggest name or the biggest frame on the roster, but Cavallaro plays like he belongs. He’s found his rhythm, and with summer ball heating up, he’s giving Rake a reliable table-setter at the top of the order — and a relentless problem for opposing defenses.
“He doesn’t let adversity go against him,” Frake said. “People look down on smaller guys. He’s not tall, but he works his butt off in the weight room. I’m not a tall guy myself, so I know what he’s going through. People say, ‘Oh, he’s small, he can’t play.’ But I think he can go play wherever he wants. He’s got a great arm, he’s fast, he does it all.”
“After losing two games to [Collegeville] last time, it’s big to come out here and get a win,” Cavallaro said. “Even with the rain delay, we fought strong and fought through it.”
Cavallaro’s ability to grind through adversity has defined his high school career as well. He hit .220 this past spring for Archbishop Wood with five doubles, 13 RBIs, and his first high school home run. A year earlier, he batted .357 with a 1.088 OPS in 42 at-bats as a sophomore.
He helped lead Wood to a 9-3 record and a second-place finish in the Philadelphia Catholic League before the Vikings were bounced in the semifinals by Archbishop Ryan. Still, the season helped sharpen his approach.
“The high school baseball season really helps me out as a player,” Cavallaro said. “To come out every day, stay sharp, and see strong competition — that helps here too.”
He’s not the biggest name or the biggest frame on the roster, but Cavallaro plays like he belongs. He’s found his rhythm, and with summer ball heating up, he’s giving Rake a reliable table-setter at the top of the order — and a relentless problem for opposing defenses.
“He doesn’t let anything get to him,” said Rake head coach Tyler Frake. “He started out rough, but I didn’t move him down the lineup at all. I kept him in the two spot because I want him to fight through it. I’m not going to drop him down to see different pitches — I want him to get their best.”
Cavallaro was also a key contributor for Archbishop Wood this past high school season. He hit .220 with five doubles, 13 RBIs, and his first career homer. As a sophomore, he batted .357 with a 1.088 OPS over 42 at-bats. He helped lead Wood to a 9-3 record and a second-place finish in the Philadelphia Catholic League before the Vikings were eliminated in PCL semis.
“The high school season really helps me out as a player,” Cavallaro said. “To come out every day, stay sharp, and see really good competition — that helps here too.”
He’s not the biggest name or the biggest frame on the roster, but Cavallaro plays like he belongs. He’s found his rhythm, and with summer ball heating up, he’s giving Rake a reliable table-setter at the top of the order — and a relentless problem for opposing defenses.
“He doesn’t let adversity go against him,” Frake said. “People look down on smaller guys. He’s not tall, but he works his butt off in the weight room. I’m not a tall guy myself, so I know what he’s going through. People say, ‘Oh, he’s small, he can’t play.’ But I think he can go play wherever he wants. He’s got a great arm, he’s fast, he does it all.”
