28 February 2025
Team Australia Baseball is proud to announce the players who have received an invite to the 2025 Under 18 National Team Selection Camp in August on the Gold Coast.
The camp will be used to select the players on the final roster for the 2025 Under 18 World Cup in Okinawa, Japan (Sept 5-14, 2025).
27 February 2025
- Aussies Abroad College Baseball
New South Wales pitcher and Australian U18 World Cup representative Ben Karakasis has announced his commitment to Galveston College, a D1 junior college in Texas.
South Australian Nic Paparella is already playing at Galveston this spring, and Ben will join him in August for the 2025/26 season.
Karakasis represented New South Wales at multiple Australian Youth Championships, played for Australia at the U18 World Cup in 2023, was part of the Team Australia trip in 2024 and also attended the MLB International trip twice.
It was on these trips last year that Galveston head coach Ryne Edmondson was able to see Ben pitch and he liked what he saw so much of a few Aussies that he then followed Team Australia across to Florida once the MLB trip had finished.
“The location of the schooling was ideal for me being in Texas with good weather, strong competition and a winning culture,” says Karakasis. “The coaches were extremely important and were very informative and helpful in my decision advocating their ambitions and role they see me playing in at the school and the project ability I have with them.”
The right-handed pitcher says he is looking forward to continuing his development on the mound at Galveston and improving his velocity to match his quality curveball and change-up.
“I’ll have the opportunity to start a lot of the games and see myself working extremely hard both on and off the field to benefit my chances in competing at the next level of my career,” he says. “Having the opportunity to go to college with amazing coaches and players, along with the ability to play more games against better competition will benefit my development as a player.”
Karakasis grew up playing his baseball with the Ryde Hawks.
He cites Ryde coach Matt O’Neill and Baseball NSW coach Coen Wynne has great mentors.
“They were encouraging me with my pitching and performance to pursue my dreams of playing baseball on the big stage,” says Karakasis. “They were extremely important in motivating me through my journey.”
He also says playing for his country on the international stage – both at World Cups on Team Australia tours in the USA – helped him recognise where he was at in his development.
“Playing at these tournaments showcased to me the importance of trusting your craft and doing the little things right,” says Karakasis. “Through tough situations having the ability to adapt to when you’re coming in or if your playing is extremely important this further helped me prepare for future games.”
He says he hopes to truly improve his game through gathering advice from coaches and players overseas.
Congratulations Ben! We can’t wait to follow your journey.
26 February 2025
- Aussies Abroad College Baseball
The 2025 American college baseball season is in full-swing. We are one month into the junior college year and about three weeks into the NCAA season.
I’ve scavenged the internet and updated you on some big performances.
Please note, this list is not a complete list of every Australian in the system, simply big performances I’ve noticed. If I missed someone I apologise – it’s not easy keeping track. Please email me at eric.balnar@baseball.com.au if you have any updates I should be aware of.
Make sure you follow us at Baseball.com.au on social media for highlights and updates.
There are over 100 Australians playing baseball in the college system at varying levels including a record 24 at the NCAA Division 1 level.
Stay tuned for more commitments.
Blake Cavill (NSW), Troy – A torrid start. In seven games, he is 13-for-26 with 12 RBI and eight walks. He has a .611 on-base percentage.
Chase Diggins (WA), Kansas – Hitting .320 in his first seven games of the season with three runs batted in.
Ben Fierenzi (VIC), Long Island State – Third on the team with a .286 average through seven games.
Brent Iredale (NSW), Arkansas – Hitting .375 with two homers and 10 RBI in his first seven games at Division I level.
Conor Myles (VIC), Texas San Antonio – In 10.2 innings, Myles has yet to allow a run. He has ten strikeouts and opponents are hitting .194 off of him.
Jimmy Nati (NSW), Stanford – Hitting .364 in eight games with six RBI to begin the season.
Cayden Nicoletto (WA), Missouri – In three games, Nicoletto is 3-for-10 with an RBI.
Zak Skinner (VIC), Lamar – The catcher is hitting .300 in nine games. He hit his first homer of the year this week and has seven RBI. He’s also thrown out four runners.
Keenan Spence (VIC), Purdue – Hitting .320 with an OPS of 1.057 in eight games.
Jarryd Wood (VIC), Pacific – A 1.59 ERA and 0.71 WHIP in 5.2 innings pitched.
Max Mrakovic, (NSW) Arkansas Monticello – A 4.00 ERA in his four starts (18 innings) with a 1.22 WHIP.
Brock Wollin, (QLD) Emmanuel – Hitting .333 in 15 games with three homers and a team leading 25 RBI.
Brett Allen (NSW), Reinhardt – A 2.92 ERA in six games so far across 12.1 innings.
Darcy Barry (SA), Dakota State – Hit his first homer of his NAIA career on February 24 in a game vs fellow South Aussie Sean Maple at Mid-America Nazarene.
Trent Buchanan (ACT), Campbellsville – Hitting .348 in his first nine games of the season.
Kailen Hamson (QLD), Cumberlands – In 12.2 innings, Hamson has a 2.84 ERA with a 0.95 WHIP. He’s started three games this year.
Riley Light (VIC), Cumberland – He is 5-for-10 with a homer and three walks to start his senior year.
Sean Maple (SA), Mid-America Nazarene – Hit homers in back-to-back games on February 24 & 25, upping his average to .261.
Ethan Stacy (NSW), Bushnell – Hitting .279 with two homers and 7 RBI in 11 games.
Bronson Neave (VIC), Arizona Western – Second on his team in average with a .350 mark in 18 games. He has one homer and 21 RBI while reaching base in eleven straight.
Max Stagg (SA), Central Arizona – Hitting .316 in 13 games so far with a homer and five RBI.
Blake Barlow (QLD), Clarendon – In his last appearance (Feb 23), Barlow threw 3.2 innings allowing on hit with six strikeouts.
Tom Chessell (QLD), Clarendon – Third on the team among players with at least 30 at-bats with a .289 mark.
Flynn McGahan (WA), Colby – 3.0 scoreless innings on the season.
Will Page-Allen (ACT), Feather River – In seven appearances and 9.0 innings, Page-Allen has allowed just two runs with 12 strikeouts.
Charlie Pierson (VIC), Frank Phillips – Leads his team in innings pitched (20.0) while compiling a 3.60 ERA across his four starts.
Nic Paparella (SA), Galveston – Hit a three run homer in his last game out, his second of the season.
Raul Romero (QLD), Hillsborough – 2.0IP with 5K
Lachlan Rosser (NSW), Hutchison – A 1.35 ERA in 6.2 innings pitched with an outstanding 12 strikeouts
Owen Glover (NSW), McCook – Hit his first homer last week and is hitting .273 on the season through nine games
Callum Donnelly (NSW), New Mexico – Hitting .292 through eight games with three stolen bases.
Cam Landy (WA), National Park – On a four game hit streak, hitting .273 for the season and hit a homer in his first college game.
Quinn Johnson (NSW), Pratt – Leads his team with a .457 average in 12 games with two homers and 5 RBI. He has hits in ten straight.
Oscar Hyde (QLD), Tacoma Community College – One earned run in his 2.2 innings pitched.
Josh Ashen (VIC), Vernon – Second on his team with 16.1 innings pitched. He has a 6.06 ERA but a wildly good 17.08 strikeout per nine innings mark after tallying a team leading 31 punch outs and counting.
Koby Chesterton (ACT), Vernon – A 3.60 ERA in 5.0 innings this season.
Travis Finney (VIC), Yakima – Batting average on the rise, hitting .286 so far on this young season.
17 February 2025
Baseball Australia is pleased to announce details of its new Little League tournament – the Little League Invitational.
With a focus on enhancing Little League’s position as Australian Baseball’s primary participation competition program, the Little League Invitational is aimed at providing existing Little League charters who do not regularly qualify for the four international tournament pathway national championships (LL, IL, JL, SL) a chance to experience competing against their peers form across the country in a national tournament.
“The International Tournament Pathway to the World Series events is a fantastic opportunity for our local leagues to engage with, which sits high on the agenda for many of our charters across the country”, Baseball Australia CEO Glenn Williams noted.
“We also have places around the country where baseball is being played where the pathway isn’t the priority, which presents us with a great opportunity for us to provide their players with an amazing experience.”
“Everyone has a place in Sport, and finding ways to engage with players, teams and charters who would not necessarily qualify or seek qualification at a national event an opportunity to compete at one goes a long way to providing more opportunity for more players’.
After a full internal review of the existing national Little League tournaments, it was determined that the Little League Division 2 tournament had strayed from its original intention of providing opportunity for players who may not otherwise experience a national tournament as they progressed through the age divisions, and as such the decision to refocus that intention into the new Invitational program was made.
The Little League Division 2 event, therefore, has been discontinued.
A full list of programs who will be offered a position in the Invitational is currently being developed in consultation with the District Administrators of each state and communication with those programs will follow shortly.
16 February 2025
In a low-scoring affair, Team Australia and the Hanwha Eagles battled through nine innings, with their exhibition matchup ending in a deadlock.
While both teams fought to find offensive momentum, a third contender—Mother Nature—played a key role in shaping the game. Persistent winds created challenging conditions, keeping hitters and fielders on edge throughout the contest.
Lachlan Wells took the mound for Team Australia and delivered an impressive six-inning performance, limiting Hanwha to just one run while tallying four strikeouts. The bullpen trio of Liam Doolan, Matt Beattie, and Dan McGrath combined to close out the remaining three innings, allowing just three hits, one run, and adding one strikeout to the tally. McGrath sealed the game with consecutive pickoffs, snuffing out Hanwha’s hopes of a late-inning walk-off.
Team Australia struck first in the top of the second, capitalizing on a pitching miscue to bring home the opening run. Hanwha responded swiftly, as Park Sung-un drove in a run with an RBI single in the bottom half of the inning to even the score.
In the seventh, Australian catcher Robbie Perkins delivered an RBI single to plate captain Tim Kennelly, giving his side a temporary 2-1 advantage. But Hanwha answered right back in the bottom of the frame, with Park crossing the plate again on another RBI single to tie things up at two apiece.
Despite late-game opportunities, neither team could break the deadlock, leaving the exhibition contest to conclude in a hard-fought draw.
15 February 2025
In a thrilling contest, Hanwha staged a late-game rally to snatch a 6-5 victory over Team Australia in Game 2 of the series. Despite an early lead and strong performances from key players, Australia couldn’t hold off Hanwha’s late surge.
Connor MacDonald took the mound for Australia and delivered another solid outing. Although he had to navigate some traffic on the bases, he largely limited the damage, keeping his team in the game. MacDonald’s efforts were rewarded in the bottom of the third when Tim Kennelly sparked the offense with a single to left field. That set the stage for Jesse Williams, who continued his breakout season with a line drive into right-center field, bringing Kennelly home for a 1-0 lead.
Australia’s defense stepped up in the fourth inning when Jalen Ray grounded into a 5-4-3 double play, helping the Aussies escape trouble. Sam Holland took over on the mound and got some assistance from George Callil, who made a stellar diving stop to prevent Hanwha from gaining momentum.
However, Hanwha found a way to break through later in the game. A ground ball rolled through the right side, driving in two runs after an attempted throw home by Briley Knight came in just late. This gave Hanwha their first runs of the series and a 2-1 lead.
Australia responded in dramatic fashion in the bottom half of the inning. Hometown hero George Callil crushed a two-run home run to left-center, flipping the score back in favor of the Aussies at 3-2. They extended their lead further when Rixon Wingrove shot a ground ball past the diving Hanwha first baseman, scoring both Hall and Williams for a 5-2 advantage.
Hanwha refused to back down, executing small ball to perfection in the sixth inning. With runners on second and third, they plated two runs on consecutive RBI groundouts, cutting the deficit to 5-4. Then, in a stunning moment, pinch-hitter Choi launched a rain-soaked home run in his first at-bat of the year to tie the game at five.
The ninth inning proved decisive. Hanwha’s catcher lined a clutch RBI single, allowing a run to score all the way from first base, giving Hanwha their second lead of the night at 6-5. Australia had a golden opportunity in the bottom of the ninth with a runner on third and nobody out, but Hanwha’s closer delivered three consecutive strikeouts to slam the door shut and secure the comeback victory.
It was a tough loss for Australia, who had the game within their grasp, but Hanwha’s resilience and execution in key moments ultimately made the difference.
14 February 2025
Team Australia put on a dominant performance in the first game of their series against the Hanwha Eagles, securing a 5-0 victory before rain brought an early end to the contest after just four innings.
Starting pitcher Alexander Wells was in sublime form, striking out eight batters in just four innings of work. The left-hander, fresh off his ABL Helms Award win for the 2024/25 season, showcased his elite command and control, keeping the Eagles’ offense off balance from the outset.
The scoring began with Team Australia’s captain, Tim Kennelly, launching a solo home run to put his team on the board. Shortly after, Rixon Wingrove capitalized on an opportunity, sending a sacrifice fly to drive in Alex Hall and extend the lead to 2-0.
Briley Knight made his presence felt both in the field and at the plate. He delivered a rocket throw to third base to shut down an early offensive threat from the Eagles, then later launched a two-run homer, pushing the lead to 4-0.
Liam Spence would add the final tally, scoring off a sacrifice fly from Alex Hall before the rain started to intensify. Waves of showers halted play intermittently before ultimately forcing an early conclusion to the game in the fourth inning.
With the series opener in the books, Team Australia will look to carry this momentum into Game 2, which is set to begin at 7 PM AEDT tomorrow at Melbourne Ballpark.
14 February 2025
Jaylin Rae is bringing back valuable college lessons back to Australian baseball.
“I really just learned how to win,” says the 23-year-old infielder, who just won the Australian Baseball League Rookie of the Year.
The do-it-all utility man from Sydney built up quite the resume in his four-season career in the USA.
He helped Central Arizona win a Junior College National Championship in 2022.
He slashed .357/.449/.911 at Charleston Southern in 2023.
He finished ninth nationally in sacrifice bunts in 2024 with Eastern Kentucky.
He helped Australia finish fourth at an U18 World Cup and make the super round at an U23 World Cup.
Rae parlayed success to the Sydney Blue Sox hitting .292, playing six different positions and winning Rookie of the Year.
“That’s what I wanted to bring back to Sydney in my first year. I just like being a utility guy, a guy who helps out wherever is needed. I can fill a gap wherever the team needs,” says Rae. “I can play small ball when I have to. I’m not the biggest guy so I use my tools where I can.”
His team-first, and win first, mentality should factor in well in a national team setting.
Rae says his college experience really helped develop his sense of self, figuring out how he best fits in on a field.
“I figured myself out through college. That system suited me well. Just being able to play the small ball, fit in, steal a base, do what I can to get on base and be a spark plug,” he says.
Now, he’s impressed national selectors enough to have a look at this weekend just twelve months out from a World Baseball Classic.
More Stories: Jess Williams had major elbow surgery and then broke his leg. Now he’s on the national squad
But Jaylin says he doesn’t want to get caught up in the future.
“I think [the WBC] is always on our mind but the important thing is to have fun and don’t put pressure on yourself because when you do that you don’t really have too much success,” he says. “I’ll just show how I’ve progressed and what I can do for the team.”
Making the series special is playing in front of loved ones – an experience he hasn’t had too often at World Cups.
“It means the world to me,” says Rae. “Putting on the green and gold…there’s nothing like it. Being able to finally share that with the whole family is really special.”
14 February 2025
Briley Knight has the second best batting average among all players across the last two ABL seasons.
National selectors of have taken notice. He’s in the starting line-up tonight vs the Hanwha Eagles for Team Australia.
The 25-year-old says he’s found a home in Australian baseball.
When we first met Briley, he was a bundle of anxious yet excited energy. He was flying to Tokyo to represent Australia at the 2023 Asia Professional Baseball Championships (APBC).
It was a “0 to 100 moment” because Briley didn’t know many of his teammates.
He was born in Perth but crew up completely in Oregon. Knight introduced himself to Aussie fans while playing in front of 50,000 people and a TV audience of millions.
“When that happened – playing in front of all those people – it was like ‘woah I can’t believe this’ moment. That really lit a fire in me,” he says. “I’m hoping I can do it again.”
The Knight name is familiar to Aussie baseball. Briley’s father, Brooke, is a prolific ABL coach.
Briley visited Australia as a kid and even played for Western Australia at an U16 National Championship. He knows how the system works here.
After a four-year college career, Briley went pro Down Under.
He played the last two seasons with the Adelaide Giants, is re-signed for a third and was the Game 3 hero in the 2024 ABL Championship Series.
This year’s .315 average ranked fourth in the league.
“This year I felt way more comfortable,” says Knight. “It’s the same for anyone. You enter a new environment and team…it’s going to be a little strange. But coming into Adelaide, seeing more friendly faces with Team Australia, it definitely makes me feel more comfortable because I’m friends with these guys and we all have the same goal – just win.”
Knight says Australian baseball is home and he has big goals for himself, and for his country.
“I’ll be back again in Australia next season and after that,” says Knight.
“I think to be a good baseball player at this level you have to know what you’re good at and know how you can help your team win. I don’t try to be someone else that I’m not.”
“I just want to contribute. I want to be part of it. And I want to win.”
14 February 2025
Your Game 1 Starter: Alexander Wells.
The Major Leaguer and 2025 Helms Award winner is wearing Team Australia colours for the first time since the 2015 Under 18 World Cup. He gets the ball vs the Hanwha Eagles tonight in Melbourne.
It’s a family moment on many different levels.
Wells will have his wife, daughter and parents in the stands and his twin brother Lachlan on the team with him for support.
It’s a milestone for the Wells clan.
“It’s everything. My wife and daughter came with me almost every where this past season – at home, on the road,” says Wells. “It means a lot to have them with me and it’s something extra special [to share this with them] this weekend.”
Wells capped off his remarkable return to professional baseball after over two years away by winning the Australian Baseball League Most Valuable Player and Pitching Award. It’s something his brother Lachlan won the year prior.
“Keeping it in the family,” he laughs.
Alexander went 6-1 in his 10 starts with a 1.55 ERA in 58.0 innings.
He says family helped spark enjoyment in baseball.
“I am just going out there and enjoying it. This game can be stressful at time and if you don’t enjoy the game it makes it a lot harder,” says Wells. “Once I leave the field, I’m a dad again and I can forget those bad outings quickly. It helps put things in perspective.”
National team duty has been heavily on the mind of the man who pitched parts of two seasons of MLB ball with the Baltimore Orioles.
“A couple years ago when I was still pitching in the States, I always thought of putting this jersey on. Obviously, I just needed to see how things went this past season. But to wear it here in Australia, with all my family here, is pretty cool,” he says.
Wells is sharing the experience with Lachlan Wells, his twin brother. The pair last pitched together for Australia at the Under 18 World Cup ten years ago.
“That’s cool too. As soon as we found out we both made the team it was pretty instant in getting everyone here. It’s a proud feeling,” he says.
Alexander says the World Baseball Classic is very much on his mind.
“If I pitch well enough, I’m available for selection.”
14 February 2025
How did you spend your 18th birthday? Max Durrington spent his as a member of Team Australia.
Yesterday, Max officially became an adult while at a team training ahead of this weekend’s three-game series vs Korean professional side Hanwha Eagles.
He could make his national team debut in the three game series against an outfit which boasts the likes of former Dodgers / Blue Jays pitcher Hyun-jin Ryu.
Durrington, who signed with the Athletics in July, is the youngest member of the 27-man squad by nearly five years.
It doesn’t quite feel real for the newly turned adult.
“If you told me a couple months ago I’d be doing this, I would have told you you’re lying,” says Durrington. “It feels surreal to start my career in the ABL [as a 17-year-old] and now be playing for Team Australia. I’ve been working hard but yeah, I’d say it’s pretty cool.”
It may not feel real, but it feels deserved.
Durrington earned more play time as the recent ABL season progressed, eventually becoming a full-time starter. He was a key part of a remarkable Brisbane Bandits’ turnaround that nearly saw them push their way into the post-season.
“I believe in myself. I believe in my stuff and that I can compete against these guys. I believe I belong out here,” he says.
Durrington will report to Athletics camp at the end of February to start his professional career in the United States.
He is eligible for the Under 18 World Cup in September.
“This is a cool experience,” says Durrington. “I look forward to it. I look forward to learning and competing.”
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