01 April 2026
Women's Preview: Can Victoria re-assert their dominance in Women's Baseball?
The Australian Women’s and Youth Women’s Championships begin April 12.
Eric Balnar is previewing both teams from Victoria ahead of the tournament.
Follow along the action, grab more previews, rosters and schedules at www.baseball.com.au/awc2026.
WOMEN’S: GOLDEN EXPECTATIONS HIGHLIGHT LOADED VICTORIAN ROSTER
Victoria arrive at the Australian Women’s Championship every year with one expectation: Gold.
No program has been in the gold medal game more consistently and that standard hasn’t shifted. In fact, they have been on the podium every year since 1999 when the tournament first started.
But internally, there is an understanding that consistency alone isn’t enough. They want to win.
Since COVID, Victoria have only converted one of four opportunities into a title, and for a group this experienced, that has sharpened the focus heading into 2026.
This roster reflects that. As Lili Cavanagh said on the Women’s Baseball: The Inside Pitch Podcast…this team is “loaded.”
A team that fell just short last year returns with significant reinforcements.
2024 AWC MVP Lili Cavanagh missed 2025 due to injury. She can pitch and play a variety of roles – including shortstop – and is one of the best in the country, having played in the 2023 World Cup and literally having a trophy to her name that says “MVP.”
Pitcher / infielder Jess Johnson is back after missing 2025, bringing experience and the ability to carry innings. Brittney Baker also returns, rejoining the state program after time away and immediately adding depth on the mound and with the bat.
How is baker looking, you ask?
“She’s back… she is so so back,” Allie Bebbere stated. Enough said.
Ash Patton is another major inclusion. She is a former teenage Emerald who pitched for Australia at the 2023 World Cup, her return adds another high-end arm to an already deep staff.
Alongside her is Abbey McLellan – one of the most prolific hitters in the country who has played in multiple World Cups and has a cabinet full of AWC Medals.
“We have so much depth in all components of the game,” said Cavanagh.
That depth is a defining feature of this team.
“Pitching depth is a strength, 14 out of 16 can pitch,” head coach Samantha Hamilton said.
It is not just about volume, but flexibility – different looks, different roles, and the ability to adapt across a tournament.
At the front of that group is Allie Bebbere. A two-time Golden Arm winner and Emerald, she remains one of the premier pitchers in the country and enters the tournament fully fit after working through injury last year.
“This is the strongest squad we’ve had post-COVID,” Bebbere said.
Hamilton has seen enough to agree.
“There’s no ‘cracking’ this squad. The players that came in are all elite players with Emeralds and Emeralds Squad experience,” she said.
That quality extends beyond the local system.
Emi Saiki and Miku Saita arrive from Japan, bringing international experience and a different dimension to the roster.
Saiki, in particular, is a proven winner across multiple environments and has already built a reputation for delivering in big moments. She is signed to a Women’s Professional Baseball League (WPBL) contract alongside Bebbere.
“Our team’s greatest strength is its depth of talent. Our pitching and defensive abilities are particularly strong,” she said.
Offensively, Victoria have the ability to produce throughout the lineup. Power, contact, and situational hitting are all present, supported by players who understand their roles.
“Good pitchers, solid defence and strong batters,” Abbey Kelly said. Kelly is the definition of pedigree herself – a multiple time World Cup rep, and a winner of a tournament Golden Glove, Golden Arm and MVP.
There is also a clear connection within the group.
Hamilton has leaned into that throughout preparation, with a consistent training block that has combined on-field work with fitness and team-based sessions designed to build cohesion. The team has trained three times a week together since February.
That environment has translated into a group that understands how it wants to play.
“We train as one, and we will play as one big unit,” Bebbere said.
Even with the experience across the roster, there are still emerging players to watch.
Paula Doherty, just 18, continues to take steps forward and sits on the edge of becoming a major contributor at this level.
“I think our overall strength is that there is so much talent. That makes us a team,” she said.
That balance between established players and emerging talent is part of what makes this group so dangerous.
It is also why expectations are clear.
“Gold,” Hamilton said.
There is no need to expand on it. Victoria have the depth, the experience, and the advantage of playing at home.
Now, it comes down to execution.
YOUTH: Talented Victorian squad looks to return to the medals
After missing out on Finals at the past two Australian Youth Women’s Championship (AYWC), Victoria are hoping a large influx of enthusiastic talent can propel them to the top three.
This year, the group looks different than the last two. There is experience, age, youthfulness, and a sense they know what this tournament demands.
“With seven top age players, and nine returning players overall, I expect us to be ready to compete hard this year,” head coach Richard Elton said.
That experience is central to the belief.
“The thing that will separate this year’s team is that our players know what to expect,” Elton said.
They’ve been through it, felt the pressure and hopefully learned from it.
Training started early, building from two sessions a week into three as the tournament approached. More importantly, much of the growth has come outside the program.
“The biggest difference is the work that our returning players have put in outside of the program,” Elton said. “Everyone is focused on being ready when their opportunity comes.”
There is still turnover.
Alyssa Jamieson, Charlotte Jansen, Molly Lewis, Andie Torcasio, Paquin Robertson and Isy Zurawel all move on, leaving gaps in leadership, catching and pitching.
But there are players ready to step in.
Lucy Gale, Chloe Boyle, Quorra Iavazzo-Ridd, Hope Ellis and Airlie Johanssen all come into the squad with strong club backgrounds and the ability to contribute.
Elton is confident in what they bring.
“Watch for all to have an impact. All are experienced baseball players,” he said.
Boyle’s story stands out. Initially hesitant to even trial, she has quickly become a key part of the group through her attitude and presence.
Hope Ellis arrives with strong form and leadership at club level, while Johanssen’s return from injury has added another layer to the squad.
Ally Egan enters her third AYWC and shapes as one of the leaders of the group.
“Ally is now in her 3rd AYWC and hungrier than ever,” Elton said.
Within the team, there is belief in what that experience can drive.
“Our team is a strongly bonded team with many key top age players to help drive the team to success,” Egan said.
Maddy Haynes is another to watch, continuing to grow into her role after putting together a strong year.
“Over the last 12 months she’s really started to figure out who she is on the baseball field,” Elton said.
There is also a broader pipeline at play.
Victoria’s development system continues to produce players through programs like the Belles, Barclay Cup and Legacy tours. A large portion of this roster has come through those environments, gaining experience well before reaching this level.
“There are eight Victoria Belles alum in the AYWC team,” Haynes said.
That pathway is a strength, and it shows in how the group connects.
“Our team has good leadership and a great understanding of each other,” Lucy Gale said.
“There is so much talent but it’s how we work together that makes us strong,” Paige Anders said.
Elton hopes this translates to a medal.
“After the last two years of missing out, playing finals as one of the top three teams is the goal,” Elton said.
READ MORE PREVIEWS VIA OUR TOURNAMENT HUB: www.baseball.com.au/awc2026.
