Girls and Invitational Newspaper: Day 1 - Scores, Recaps, Highlights and More

06 July 2026 By Eric Balnar

By Eric Balnar

Girls and Invitational Newspaper: Day 1 - Scores, Recaps, Highlights and More

Welcome to Redcliffe Baseball Club in beautiful Moreton Bay for the Little League Girls and Invitational tournaments.

Each day we will publish a story with recaps, stats, highlights and information on the tournament.

To watch Diamond 1 coverage free, visit Baseball+ (plus.baseball.com.au). To follow the scoring of the tournament and a single camera feed on Diamonds 3 and 4, check out the respective GameChanger link.

Scroll down for recaps.

Scoring: Girls | Invitational

Master Schedule: Tournament Schedule

This tournamement is proudly brought to you by the City of Moreton Bay.

DAY 1 | RECAP, SCHEDULE AND RESULTS – JULY 7 |

LITTLE LEAGUE INVITATIONAL
Watch free on Baseball+

– Manly 4 def Wanneroo 3 | Replay on Baseball+
– Adelaide Marlins 6 def Melbourne Rangers 5 | Replay on Baseball+
– Manly 7 def Sunshine Coast 4

LITTLE LEAGUE GIRLS
Follow / Watch on GameChanger

– Victoria Belles 9 TIE West Coast Rays Blue 9
– West Coast Rays Gold 15 def Hills 3
– Adelaide Seahorses 15 def Belles 10
– Cronulla 5 def Hills 4
– West Coast Rays Blue 9 def Cronulla 4
– Adelaide Seahorses 14 def West Coast Rays 8

Scoring: Girls | Invitational

Master Schedule: Tournament Schedule

STANDINGS

GIRLS

Adelaide Seahorses 2-0
West Coast Rays Blue 1-0-1
Cronulla 1-1
West Coast Rays Gold 1-1
Victoria Belles 0-1-1
Hills 0-2

INVITATIONAL

Manly 2-0
Adelaide Marlins 1-0
Sunshine Coast Riptides 0-1
Melbourne Rangers 0-1
Wanneroo Giants 0-1

RECAPS

INVITATIONAL: Manly 4 def Wanneroo Giants 3 | Max Brannan delivers walk-off hit as Manly stage epic comeback

Better late than never, right?

Manly scored four runs in the bottom of the last to storm back and stun the Giants in the first game of the Invitational tournament.

Trailing 3-0 entering the bottom of the sixth, Lachy Addison, Sidney Prevost, and Ryder Macpherson all had RBI to tie the game up. Then, with two outs and bases loaded, Max Brannan crunched a ball to centrefield to win the game.

Before that, it was all Wanneroo pitching. Jaxon Brown and Matthew Castle comined to allowed just three hits, one walk and no runs with 14 strikeouts through the first 5.1 innings of the game. Then? The Manly explosion.

Chase Littlelow had two hits for Wanneroo including the first RBI of the tournmanent.

Kitt MacBride, Noah Donnelly, and Blaise Reid combined to allow just three runs with 8 hits and three walks in 6.0 innings of work for the victors.

MANLY

Hits (5): Max Brannan, Cameron MacBride, Ayden Prevost, August, Kitt Mote
RBI: MacBride, Brannan, L. Addison, S. Prevost

WANNEROO

Hits (8): Chase Littlelow (2), Jaxon Brown, Matthew Castle, Hunter Downey, Matthew Stone, Oliver Curtin, Liam Fisher

RBI: Littlelow, Brown, Stone

INVITATIONAL: Adelaide Marlins 6 def Melbourne Rangers 5 | Kai Abe steals home as Marlins surge back to walk-off Rangers

With two outs, bases-loaded, the game-tied an a full count, Kai Abe bolted from third base in a risky play to steal home and win the game.

6-5 Marlins, your final.

The Fish entered the bottom of the last inning down 5-3, before using aggressive base running to capitalise off a series of walks.

The Rangers led most of the game, thanks to two-hit performances from Keigo Takei and Zeph Fleiner. Tanner Karlsen struck out seven in 3.0 innings while not allowing an earned. Karlsen also picked up an RBI.

Overall, Melbourne’s pitching combo of Karlsen, Joey Cannizaro, Miles Winton and Zeph Fleiner struck out 13.

Four Marlins – Riley Clifton, Kai Abe, Jonte Nottage and Finn Diment – combined to strike out 11.

ADELAIDE MARLINS

Hits (4): Harvey Sampson, Braxton B, Jonte Newell, Kai Abe
RBI: None

MELBOURNE RANGERS

Hits (7): K. Takei (2), Z. Fleiner (2), T. Karlsen, A. Gibson, L. Gardner
RBI: Karslen, Gardner

INVITATIONAL: Manly 7 def Sunshine Coast 4 | Manly overcome early deficit to start tournament 2-0

Two games, two wins! What a start for Manly.

Sunshine Coast scored a run in the first inning and led 1-0 in the third before Manly rattled off seven unansweed in the win.

Ayden Prevost had his second straight big game, this time tallying a pair of hits and an RBI.

Cameron MacBride looked the goods on the mound, striking out four in 1.1 innings. Ryder Macpherson had six strikeouts in 3.0 innings while Max Brannan closed the game out with three punch outs in 1.2 frames.

Christian Martin led the Riptides with three walks to get on base, and 1.0 innings of perfect work on the mound. Jackson Caton had two hits.

SUNSHINE COAST

Hits (4): Jackson Caton (2), Levi Ngaha, Blake D
RBI: Caton

MANLY

Hits (9): Ryder Macpherson, Cameron Macbride, Blaise Reid, Ayden Prevost (2), August R, Kitt Mote, Lachy Addison, Sidney Prevost

RBI: Reid, Macpherson, Prevost, Addison

GIRLS: West Coast Rays Gold 15 def Hills 3 | Dominating start for West Coast Rays Gold in run-rule victory

West Coast Rays Gold needed just over four innings to win their first game, 15-3 over Sydney’s Hills.

Rays Gold scored their 15 runs off four hits. Hills scored their three runs off three hits.

Savannah Carnaby was impressive for Gold. She threw 1.2 innings, allowing no hits and no runs with four strikeouts. She also went 1-for-1 with two walks, 3 RBI and a pair of runs.

Every player on the Gold roster reached base.

WEST COAST RAYS GOLD

Hits (4): S. Carnaby, C. Waight, M. Green, Mylani-Ann Ngoungou
RBI: Ngoungou, A. Nairn, Carnaby (3), T. Nairn, L. Newell, K. Cross, O. Hooper,

HILLS

Hits (3): M. Voinea, E. Stathers, A. Jackson
RBI: Voinea

GIRLS: West Coast Rays Blue 9 TIE Belles 9 | Belles score four runs in final inning to force tie

A back-and-forth contest saw the tournament’s first tie.

Moments after West Coast Rays Blue piled on six runs in the top of the fifth to take a 9-5 lead, the Belles poured on four of their own.

Imogene Penna (above) delivered a crucial two-RBI double in the last.

Monet Padfield led Blue with two RBI, both coming off a single in the six run inning.

Rachel Hosken, Annabelle Vague and Elsie Shaw combined for 11 strikeouts for Blue.

Imogene Penna, Jacey, Alia Friend and April Friend combined for 10 strikeouts for the Belles. Penna had six.

WEST COAST RAYS BLUE

Hits (8): Heidi Foley, Elsie Shaw, Monet Padfield, Makenzie Magorian, Lucy Homer, Abigail Sibly, Bridget Foley, Harper Wakefield

RBI (5): Monet Padfield (2), Elsie Shaw, Lucy Homer, Harper Wakefield

BELLES

Hits (3): Aleayah Marshall (2), Imogene Penna
RBI (2): Imogene Penna (2)

GIRLS: Adelaide Seahorses 17 def Belles 10 | Seahorses score 11 unanswered in comeback win

The Adelaide Seahorses kicked it into high gear after falling behind 9-3 early. They proceeded to rip off eleven unanswered runs in the bottom of the second and third in a 15-10 victory.

Adelaide scored three in the first, five in the second and six in the third. In fact, it was 9-9 after two.

Sarah Handy played a big role in the comback. She pitched 1.1 innings with four strikeouts and no earned runs, acting as a settling force in the comeback win.

Layla O’Rielly had a triple for the Seahorses.

ADELAIDE SEAHORSES

Hits (6): Layla O’Rielly, Alyssa Marrich, Kaylee Ratcliffe, Shem Hawkes, Winter Moroney, Audrey Capps

RBI (6): Layla O’Rielly, Kaylee Ratcliffe, Macy Qualmann, Shem Hawkes, Winter Moroney, Audrey Capps

VICTORIA BELLES

Hits (4): Zoe Mudford, Lexi Quaine, Isla Lochhead, Erin White
RBI (2): Zoe Mudford, Abbie McPhail

GIRLS: Cronulla 5 def Hills 4 | Matilda May comes through with walk-off hit for Cronulla

Cronulla mounted a two-out rally in the bottom of the final inning to erase a 4-2 deficit and win 5-4. Matilda May came through with a line-drive single to deliver. t he inning. run.

The winning moment came just minutes after Hills took the lead. They scored two runs in the top of the inning, capitalising off base-path chaos.

Caitlin Jefferies had six strikeouts in her relief appearance for the Hills.

Matilda May (above) had six strikeouts in 2.0 innings for Cronulla.

HILLS

Hits (7): Maia Voinea, Amelia Yates, Sophie Lotan (2), Caitlin Jefferies (2), Audrey Jackson

RBI (2): Sophie Lotan (2)

CRONULLA

Hits (3): Catalina David, Holly Fordyce (2), Matilda May

RBI (2): Catalina David, Holly Fordyce, Matilda May

GIRLS: West Coast Rays Blue 9 def Cronulla 4 | Rays Blue stay undefeated

Six runs in the first, three in the second. That was the power from West Coast Blue needed in their second game of the day.

Monet Padfield delivered the biggest blow of the game. Her bases clearing triple helped plate three runs and race Blue out to a 6-2 lead in the first inning.

Lucy Horner was also sensational on the mound. She pitched 4.1 innings in releif, giving up two hits, one run while striking out eight.

WEST COAST RAYS BLUE

Hits (5): Rachel Hosken, Elsie Shaw, Monet Padfield, Abigail Sibly, Harper Wakefield

RBI (7): Monet Padfield (3), Heidi Foley (2), Amelia Castle, Abigail Sibly
Cronulla LLG

CRONULL

Hits (2): Emily Pekert, Holly Fordyce
RBI (1): Kelsey Streater

GIRLS: Adelaide Seahorses 14 def West Coast Rays Gold 8 | Seahorses scores 11 unanswered AGAIN in comeback win

This isn’t a repeat of an earlier story. Although, it may read like it.

Down 6-3 in the second, the Seahorses scored 11 straight runs between the second and the fourth inning to improve to 2-0.

They did the same thing earlier today in a 17-10 win over the Belles.

Violet Harvey led the offensive outputs for either team, recording two hits and two RBI.

Six different Seahorses pitched (Ratfcliffe, Quallman, Moroney, O’Reilly, Harvey and Marrich) to combine for 13 strikeouts.

The Seahorses go to bed on top of the tournament with a 2-0 record.

SEAHORSES

Hits (7): Sophie Marrich, Layla O’Rielly, Alyssa Marrich, Kaylee Ratcliffe, Violet Harvey (2), Zara Sims

RBI (8): Sophie Marrich, Layla O’Rielly, Alyssa Marrich, Mia-Grace Walton, Audrey Capps, Violet Harvey (2), Zara Sims

WEST COAST RAYS GOLD

Hits (5): Ameliah Nairn, Sophie Anderson, Mylani-Ann Ngoungou, Chloe Waight, Laylah Newell

RBI (1): Laylah Newell

Welcome to Moreton Bay – a region full of hidden gems! Whether you’re exploring the beautiful open beaches and coastal towns or wandering the peaceful trails of charming hinterland villages, the Moreton Bay region offers natural beauty paired with a welcoming charm.

Just under an hour from both Brisbane and the Sunshine Coast, Moreton Bay invites you to discover its diverse offerings. From the peaceful hinterland retreats of Woodford and Dayboro to the lively buzz of the Redcliffe Peninsula and the relaxing shores of Bribie Island, there’s something for everyone, just waiting to be uncovered!

Head to www.visitmoretonbayregion.com.au to plan your adventure while visiting for baseball.

Or, upgrade your weekend! Visit www.whatsonmoretonbay.com.au/ for more information.

05 July 2026 By Eric Balnar

By Eric Balnar

Community

Australian infielder Travis Bazzana named MLB All-Star

Travis Bazzana has become just the third Australian selected to the Major League Baseball All-Star Game after earning a place on the American League roster through player balloting.

He will represent the Cleveland Guardians as a player elected reserve (non starter) and will play in the ‘Mid Summer Classic’ at Philadelphia’s Citizens Bank Park on July 14 (8 p.m. ET).

The 22-year-old was named to the 2026 MLB All-Star Game on Saturday, joining Australian baseball greats Dave Nilsson, Grant Balfour and Liam Hendriks as the only Australians to receive the honour. Nilsson was selected once during his career, while Hendriks has been named an All-Star three times.

He joins fellow Australian Baseball League players Junior Caminero (Tampa Bay / Perth) and Cristopher Sanchez (Philadelphia / Perth) on the squads.

Bazzana has enjoyed a remarkable rise since making his Major League debut with the Cleveland Guardians on April 28.

At the time of his selection, the Australian infielder was slashing .255/.347/.420 with 12 doubles, seven home runs and 27 RBIs across 57 games. He has also become a fixture at the top of Cleveland’s lineup, making 30 starts as the club’s leadoff hitter.

His arrival has coincided with a dramatic turnaround for the Guardians, who have climbed back into postseason contention following his promotion to the Major Leagues.

Bazzana also continues to make franchise history. He is just the fourth rookie in Cleveland franchise history to earn an All-Star selection, highlighting the immediate impact he has made in his first Major League season.

Selected first overall in the 2024 MLB Draft, Bazzana has quickly established himself as one of baseball’s brightest young stars. Less than three months into his Major League career, he now adds All-Star to an already remarkable résumé.

04 July 2026 By Eric Balnar

By Eric Balnar

- Team Australia

Meet the Emeralds: A brief line about every player on the Australian Women's National Baseball Team

Australia’s women’s national baseball team, the Emeralds, are entering the final stages of preparation for the 2026 Women’s Baseball World Cup in Rockford, Illinois.

The tournament format is unique. Australia will compete in a challenging group featuring a mix of international powerhouses and emerging nations, including No. 2 USA, No. 3 Canada, No. 6 Mexico, No. 8 Hong Kong, No. 12 Korea and No. 19 China.

The objective is simple: finish in the top three and secure a place at the 2027 Women’s Baseball World Cup Finals, also to be held in Rockford. Three teams from Pool B will join the top three finishers from Australia’s group in next year’s finals.

Baseball Australia announced the Emeralds roster in May. You can revisit that announcement to learn more about the team’s selection philosophy and hear from the coaching staff.

The squad will be captained by 23-year-old Caitlin Eynon.

Before the tournament begins, the Emeralds will travel to the United States for a five-day training camp. The camp will provide an opportunity to train, adjust to the time zone and play a series of exhibition games before competition starts. In the lead-up to departure, athletes will continue their preparation through their respective Performance Pathway Programs.

Let’s learn about each of the players on the team:

POSITION PLAYERS

Catcher / DH – Chloe Atkinson (WA): The 18-year-old has emphatically entered the Australian baseball scene. Atkinson has won the last two Australian Women’s Championships (AWC) Golden Bat Awards. In 2026, Atkinson went 17-for-30 with nine extra base hits, a homer and 16 RBI. Her batting average ranked fifth, and no player who qualified for the finals drove in more runs (16). She also hit a clutch, game-winning grand slam to send her team to the Gold Medal Game. Atkinson is making her World Cup debut. She is a draft pick of New York in the Women’s Professional Baseball League (WPBL).

Catcher – Jamie Bastian (VIC): A two-time national champion, Bastian makes her Emeralds debut after narrowly missing out on selection in 2026. She’s turned into a high-end contact bat, and has developed her arm strength over the last few years. She’s a great option to control the run game and can play in the outfield if required for additional depth. Bastian represented Australia at the 2024 Baseball5 World Cup.

Catcher – Maddi Heath (NSW) – Heath is the only catcher on Australia’s roster with World Cup experience, having caught for the Emeralds at the 2023 World Cup. She has won multiple championships at the AWC with New South Wales, including coming up with some clutch moments and diving catches. Heath notably recovered from major hip surgery in 2022, hitting the field just in time for the 2023 World Cup. It was a total reconstruction and a great story.

1B – Gen Beacom (VIC) – Beacom made international headlines at the 2023 tournament as a 16-year-old left-handed pitcher with a fast-ball around 89 miles per hour. This year, she will only play in the field and hit. Beacom has since been playing softball at NCAA Division I program Oregon State. Her bat plays in both codes. Ask anyone and they’ll tell you she has some of the highest exit velocities in the women’s game, while being able to lock down first base. Beacom hit .308 with a pair of doubles at the 2023 World Cup.

2B / RHP – Abbey Kelly (VIC) – One of the most experienced and accomplished players on the Emeralds roster. Kelly is entering her fourth World Cup (2016, 2018, 2023). In 2016, she pitched 5.1 innings, allowing just one run and a couple hits in a famous win over the USA to help Australia advance to the Super Round. In Australia, Kelly has won multiple national championships, an AWC MVP, Golden Glove and Golden Arm. She can play second base, shortstop, come out of the bullpen or start a game. Kelly adds tremendous versatility, experience and skill in multiple spots.

2B / RHP – Bronwyn Gell (VIC) – The most experienced and accomplished player on the Emeralds roster. In fact, no other player has a World Cup medal on Team Australia. Gell has two. She was a young 16-year-old who won a silver in 2010. She won Bronze in 2014. Gell is playing in her first World Cup since 2018, but her sixth overall (2010, 2012, 2014, 2016, 2018). Gell brings a career .310 average at WBSC events to the fold. Since we last saw Gell, she became a pitcher. She won the 2026 Victorian State League Pitcher of the Year. Bronwyn brings defensive ability, composure at the plate, leadership and valuable innings on the mound

SS / RHP – Caitlin Eynon (WA) – The 23-year-old was just named captain of the Emeralds. A draft pick in the WPBL, Eynon has done it all. At Australian Women’s Championships, she’s won a Gold Medal, MVP, a Golden Arm and a Golden Glove. She has a fast ball that tops out around 77 mph, making her one of the hardest women throwers in the world. She plays elite defense up the middle and has a dominating bat. Eynon is in her second World Cup campaign and will be an important part of the line-up and likely pitch high-leverage innings. She may even start an important game.

3B / RHP – Leah Cornish (WA) – A 19-year-old returning for a second World Cup. In 2023, Cornish was a catcher. She led Australia with a .600 batting average and an .800 on-base-percentage. Now, Cornish plays third base. She also has a mid-70mph fast ball and will pitch some key innings for Australia. Cornish is a WPBL Draft Pick and played overseas in Canada in 2025. She is a national champion and 2023 AWC Tournament MVP.

INF / RHP – Claire O’Sullivan (NSW) – Simply put: one of the most prominent names in the Australian baseball community. Claire returns to the Emeralds for her second World Cup. She has won Australian national championships, Japanese national titles, a Women’s Championship MVP and a Golden Bat Award. Claire can play first base, third base and will likely be a very important starting pitcher for the Aussies. She’s a dual threat. In 2023 she delivered an epic 5.0 inning shutout start vs Korea to keep us in the hunt. She was also .333 at the plate.

CF / SS / RHP – Lili Cavanagh (VIC) – On paper, Cavanagh is one of the most important players on this roster. She will play up the middle – either in centre field, at shortstop or as a high-leverage pitcher. Cavanagh has hit over .600 at the last two women’s nationals she’s played in, including winning tournament MVP in 2024. This is Cavanagh’s second World Cup, playing more of a depth role in 2023 after a late injury hampered her campaign. Cavanagh recovered from a major knee reconstruction she suffered in 2024 at the Australian Women’s Showcase.

OF – Ticara Geldenhuis (NSW) – Ticara is a highly athletic return player from the 2023 Emeralds squad. She famously hit Australia’s only home run of the 2023 World Cup. Geldenhuis has turned into a leader in her baseball community. She can steal bases, hit for power, and brings World Cup pedigree and multiple national championships to the team.

OF / LHP – Molly Paddison (QLD) – At 18-years-old, Molly Paddison is the youngest player on the roster. Nicknamed “the Business”, Paddison has turned in three excellent AWC campaigns in a row having ranked consistently in the top five of batting metrics at the national championships. She runs well, can play multiple spots in the outfield, and brings in a left-handed option from the bullpen. Paddison is one of nine Australians drafted to the WPBL.

OF – Elodie O’Sullivan (NSW / WA) – O’Sullivan returns to the national team for the first time since 2018. It’s also the first time she and her sister Claire will share the field in national team colours. Elodie missed out on 2023 selection. A foot injury played a factor. Elodie re-invented her game since then, travelling to Japan to play professionally and work on her craft. There’s a great story on how she turned injury and disappointment into opportunity here. O’Sullivan brings a solid bat, smarts, work ethic and experience to the team. She is one of nine Australians drafted to the WPBL and has won multiple championships.

RHP / OF – Meaghan Haggart (WA) – Haggart will be able to provide some flexibility and options for manager Jason Pospishil. She plays solid outfield and third base. She can also catch if required. Haggart brings plus off-speed pitches and can be used both as a reliever or start. We’ve seen Haggart lead Western Australia to a national championship by embracing all kinds of different roles. She is a return player from the 2023 squad.

UTIL – Rio Bradley (QLD) – She can catch, she can play outfield and, crucially, she can run. Bradley has been one of the most consistent bats for Queensland over the last half-decade. She’s always near the tournament leaders in stolen bases. It’s a tournament debut for Bradley, who is one of the most respected players in the Australian baseball community.

PITCHER ONLY

The below players are expected to be used primarily as pitchers.It’s important to note that Claire O’Sullivan, Caitlin Eynon, Leah Cornish, Bronwyn Gell, Lili Cavanagh, Molly Paddison, Meaghan Haggart and Abbey Kelly are also expected to contribute on the mound.

RHP – Allie Bebbere (VIC) – Bebbere will hope to double down on her tremendous 2023 World Cup campaign where she posted a 1.24 ERA in 5.2 innings. An iron horse of women’s pitching, Allie has claimed dual National Championship Golden Arm awards (2022 & 2024). Allie has also represented Australia at the 2024 Baseball5 World Cup. The 31-year-old is also a WPBL draft pick. There’s a great feature story on her and why she dropped everything to pursue her passion. You can read it here.

RHP – Brittney Baker (VIC) – Baker has cracked her first World Cup side after being on the cusp of selection for nearly a decade. She was a key pitcher in Victoria’s 2026 Women’s Championship win and has pitched in Australian Women’s Showcase events. Baker brings a good pitch mix. She is one of two mums on the roster.

RHP – Maddi Erwin (ACT) – Erwin returns for a second World Cup, after debuting in 2023 for the Emeralds. Erwin was one of nine Aussie draftees in the 2025 WPBL Draft. She brings a great curveball that keeps her near the top of the list in strikeout rates at national championships. She last won a title with New South Wales in 2025.

RHP – Mackenzie Jackson (NSW) – Jackson had to work hard to even be in position to make the squad. After pitching New South Wales to a championship in 2025, Jackson suffered a shoulder injury that wiped out nearly all of her 2025-26 club campaign. She recovered just in time for the Australian Women’s Championships where she tossed 4.2 innings. Jackson has great command of the strike zone and is making her World Cup debut.

RHP – Jess Johnson (VIC) – The 37-year-old is one of the feel good stories of the team. Johnson was in the last round of cuts for the 2023 World Cup squad. Between then and now, she became a mum. She also worked relentlessly, not wanting to squander an opportunity to represent her country. After a fantastic 2026 tournament, Johnson showed enough to earn a spot. She is a consistent strike-thrower who won multiple championships with Victoria. Of note, Johnson has represented Australia in Gridiron (American Football) World Championships.

COACHING STAFF

Manager: Jason Pospishil – “Pops” returns to lead Australia’s Women’s Team for a second time after taking the helm before the the 2023 World Cup. He coached the U18 National Team at the 2025 U18 World Cup. One of Australia’s most experienced coaches, previously managed the Sydney Blue Sox in the Australian Baseball League. A former Major League Baseball scout and assistant coach with the Australian senior men’s team, he has also served as High Performance Manager with Baseball NSW. As a player, Pospishil signed professionally with the Minnesota Twins organisation, providing him with decades of experience across playing, scouting and coaching at the highest levels of the game.

Pitching Coach: Chris Oxspring – Chris Oxspring brings one of the most decorated playing careers in Australian baseball history to the coaching staff. The former Major League pitcher represented Australia at the 2004 Olympic Games, helping the team to a historic silver medal, and has also represented his country at multiple World Baseball Classics and Premier12 tournaments. Oxspring enjoyed a 20-year professional career across Major League Baseball, Japan’s Nippon Professional Baseball and the Korean Baseball Organization, while also starring for the Sydney Blue Sox in the Australian Baseball League. Following his playing career, he has served as a pitching coach with Team Australia and in professional baseball, bringing decades of international experience to Australia’s next generation of talent.

Assistant Coach: Samantha Hamilton – Samantha Hamilton is one of the most accomplished figures in Australian women’s baseball history, having represented Australia in every National Championship and every Women’s World Cup from the program’s inception until her retirement in 2013. A 10-time national champion with Victoria, Hamilton helped Australia claim multiple international medals, including a historic silver medal at the 2010 Women’s Baseball World Cup. She now serves as the head coach of national champion Victoria, an assistant coach with the Emeralds, while coaching at club level with the Doncaster Dragons. Hamilton was inducted into the Baseball Australia Hall of Fame in 2026.

Assistant Coach: Lisa Norrie – Lisa Norrie is one of Australia’s most respected baseball coaches and player development leaders. She made history in 2017 as the first female coach in the Australian Baseball League with the Brisbane Bandits and has since worked internationally as a roving instructor with the Oakland Athletics organisation. A former Australian representative player, Norrie currently serves as Baseball Queensland’s Women’s High Performance Manager and has managed Queensland representative teams while contributing to Australia’s national women’s program.

Ursula Howard – EO: The real boss of the Emeralds, Ursula is in charge of everything that happens on the road as we bring the Emeralds across the globe for this tournament. Ursula performed the same role in 2023, and has experience as the EO for the Victorian state team that competes at National Championships. She also has great experience as a player – a three-time national champion, a championship as a youth coach, and was part of the support staff at the 2018 WC.

Tammy Ong – Physio: Tammy brings extensive experience in elite sport and athlete care. She has been the Head Physiotherapist for the Sydney Blue Sox, and currently leads the NRLW and Female Pathways physiotherapy program at the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs. Ong has also worked with athletes across Olympic weightlifting, powerlifting and CrossFit, combining her expertise in sports physiotherapy and rehabilitation to support high-performance athletes at the national and international level. She was the physio for the Emeralds in 2023.

29 June 2026 By Eric Balnar

By Eric Balnar

- Aussies Abroad

End of June Report: Tracking Australian baseball players in professional leagues

The midway point of the 2026 baseball season is complete!

Let’s check in with how each Australian player is doing in their respective professional season.

Did you know there are 35 Austarlians who play professional baseball around the clock in major leagues around the world? 24 of them are affiliated with an MLB team.

If you’re looking for a quick way to follow along, check out https://aussiebaseballtracker.com/ for live updates. It’s become a daily refresh!

MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL / MINOR LEAGUES

TRAVIS BAZZANA, 2B | Hornsby, NSW | Cleveland Guardians (MLB)
53 GP, .256 AVG, 7 HR, 25 RBI, .350 OBP, .781 OPS

A tremendous rookie season has him ranked third in the betting lists for favourite to win the American League Rookie of the Year. Bazzana has 12 stolen bases to go along with his productive at-bats.

CURTIS MEAD, 1B | Adelaide, SA | Washington Nationals (MLB)
69 GP, .222 AVG, 14 HR, 39 RBI, .320 OBP, .788 OPS

Regular game time brings results. Curtis is now seven homers behind David Nilsson’s single season MLB home run record by an Australia.

BRANDAN BIDOIS, RHP | Brisbane, QLD | Pittsburgh Pirates (MLB)
14G/0GS, 4.80 ERA, 15.0 IP, 18 K, 1.73 WHIP

After a late-May call-up, Bidois has done enough to hold his own in the Major Leagues. His high pepensity for strikeouts and hihg-90s fast ball leaves him as a valuable mid-to-late game option for the Pirates.

MITCH NEUNBORN, RHP | Perth, WA | Philadelphia Phillies (AAA, Lehigh Valley IronPigs)
5G/0GS, 3.18 ERA, 5.2 IP, 3 K, 2.12 WHIP

He started the season in the injured list but has since returned to action and now pitches in the league below the Majors.

JOSH HENDRICKSON, LHP | Perth, WA | Houston Astros (AAA, Sugar Land Space Cowboys)
11G/7GS, 4.56 ERA, 53.1 IP, 46 K, 1.31 WHIP

Threw 5.0 shutout innings in his latest start. He’s one of the better stories, signing with the Astros after a tremendous ABL and World Baseball Classic Campaign.

NIKAU POUAKA-GREGO, IF | Christchurch, NZ | Philadelphia Phillies (AA, Reading Fightin Phils)
7 GP, .125 AVG, 0 HR, 1 RBI, .300 OBP, .425 OPS

Nikau has bounced around a few different stops in the Phillies system. Has not played since June 13.

BLAKE TOWNSEND, LHP | Tralalgon, VIC | Texas Rangers (AA, Frisco RoughRiders)
12G/11GS, 4.86 ERA, 53.2 IP, 45 K, 1.32 WHIP

Townsend has shifted back to becoming a starter with the Texas Rangers, a new club in 2026. Townsend had a 1.96 ERA in May.

CLAYTON CAMPBELL, C-IF | Sydney, NSW | Detroit Tigers (A+, West Michigan Whitecaps)
53 GP, .255 AVG, 5 HR, 25 RBI, .326 OBP, .706 OPS

The best season of 22-year-old Campbell’s minor league career. He hit .305 in June.

KAI-NOA WYNYARD, RHP | Redcliffe, QLD | Texas Rangers (A+, Hub City Spartanburgers)
19G/0GS, 7.98 ERA, 29.1 IP, 33 K, 1.77 WHIP

A great June to turnaround a shaky start to the season. Wynyard posted a 1.80 ERA in 10.0 June innings with opponents hitting just .129 of the 24-year-old.

MAX DURRINGTON, IF | Gold Coast, QLD | Athletics (A, Stockton Ports)
52 GP, .270 AVG, 1 HR, 22 RBI, .371 OBP, .725 OPS

The 18-year-old has been on a tear lately. He has 8 hits over his last four games, and a .286 average in the month of June.

DREW DAVIES, OF | Adelaide, SA | Cincinnati Reds (A, Daytona Tortugas)
64 GP, .256 AVG, 2 HR, 23 RBI, .412 OBP, .767 OPS

Davies has been flirting with the Florida State League on-base-percentage lead for the bulk of the season. The 20-year-old has reached base 15 games in a row.

BRENT IREDALE, 3B | Sydney, NSW | Pittsburgh Pirates (A, Bradenton Marauders)
25 GP, .188 AVG, 5 HR, 18 RBI, .347 OBP, .747 OPS

Iredale has been torching the ball since returning from injury on June 11. He’s blasted five homers with 15 RBI in his last 12 games.

JAYDEN KIM, IF | Melbourne, VIC| Pittsburgh Pirates (A, Bradenton Marauders)
9 GP, .111 AVG, 0 HR, 1 RBI, .200 OBP, .311 OPS

He’s been moving between the Complex and A-Ball, but it’s still Jayden’s first experience above Rookie Ball.

BAILEY JAY COOKE, RHP | Perth, WA | Athletics (A, Stockton Ports)
14G/0GS, 3.60 ERA, 20.0 IP, 19 K, 1.00 WHIP

BJay spent the last three years of his professional career as an infielder. He moved back to the mound this year and has delivered some tidy numbers. He’s been consistent all year, including a 3.38 ERA in June.

KAILEN HAMSON, LHP | Brisbane, QLD | Baltimore Orioles (A, Delmarva Shorebirds)
16G/4GS, 5.48 ERA, 47.2 IP, 52 K, 1.93 WHIP

A first full-season for Hamson, a 2025 draft pick. He fired off 2.1 shutout innings during his last appearance.

ALISTAIR TANNER, P | Adelaide, SA | Detroit Tigers (A, Lakeland Flying Tigers)
9G/4GS, 6.31 ERA, 25.2 IP, 27 K, 1.44 WHIP

On the 7-day injured list since June 10. Tanner was hoping to build off a solid May where he had a 1.00 ERA and two straight shutout starts.

ADAM BATES, RHP | Sydney, NSW | Boston Red Sox (A, Salem RidgeYaks)
23G/0GS, 8.06 ERA, 41.1 IP, 42 K, 2.13 WHIP

He was a starter in 2025 but a reliever in 2026. Results are starting to come for 20-year-old Bates, who had a 5.56 ERA in June.

ROBINSON SMITH, P | Melbourne, VIC| Pittsburgh Pirates (Rookie, FCL Pirates)
7G/4GS, 2.35 ERA, 23.0 IP, 20 K, 0.96 WHIP

Could a call-up be coming for Roo? His sub 1.00 WHIP will help his case in his first professional season at the Complex League. He allowed just three runs in 15.0 innings in June.

JACK BUSHELL, P | Adelaide, SA| Detroit Tigers (Rookie, FCL Tigers)
7G/6GS, 4.01 ERA, 24.2 IP, 34 K, 1.30 WHIP

What a comeback! Bushell missed all of 2025 with Tommy John Surgery.

PATRICK CROTTY, LHP | Australia | Pittsburgh Pirates (Rookie, FCL Phillies)
7G/1GS, 17.18 ERA, 7.1 IP, 5 K, 2.73 WHIP

Crotty signed in April and was on a plane a week later. The 18-year-old has started his professional journey in the Complex League.

LIAM HENDRIKS, RHP | Perth, WA | Chicago Cubs (Rookie, ACL Cubs)
1G/1GS, 0.00 ERA, 1.0 IP, 2 K, 0.00 WHIP

Hendriks threw in a professional game for the first time in almost a year over the weekend. We should see him shoot up the ranks quite quickly if h’es healthy.

ASHTON KENNEDY, RHP | Blacktown, NSW | Pittsburgh Pirates (Inactive)
No stats

Signed in May – Australia’s most recent professional.

MITCH EVANS, LHP | Adelaide, SA | Detroit Tigers (A, Lakeland Flying Tigers)
No stats

Out for the season and some. Evans injured his elbow and had Tommy John Surgery within the first month of him arriving for professional baseball in March.

RUBENS ROMERO, RHP | Australia | Pittsburgh Pirates (Inactive)
No stats available

KOREA (KBO)

LACHLAN WELLS, LHP | Newcastle, NSW | LG Twins (KBO League)
13G/13GS, 2.88 ERA, 68.2 IP, 56 K, 1.12 WHIP

Wells has been consistently near the top of the KBO ERA leaderboard all season.

JACK O’LOUGHLIN, LHP | Adelaide, SA | Samsung Lions (KBO League)
15G/15GS, 3.86 ERA, 77.0 IP, 74 K, 1.26 WHIP

Jack has not allowed more than two runs in a start since June 5.

JARRYD DALE, SS | Melbourne, VIC | KIA Tigers (KBO League) — RELEASED June 1
34 GP, .256 AVG, 1 HR, 10 RBI, .338 OBP, .658 OPS

After a hot-start to the season, Jarry was unfortunately released at the beginning of the month.

ALEX HALL, C | Perth, WA | Ulsan Whales (KBO Futures League)
63 GP, .261 AVG, 3 HR, 48 RBI, .365 OBP, .737 OPS

Hall has turned into a key cog in the middle of the second-division Korean side’s line-up.

FRONTIER LEAGUE

An independent pro league in the USA / Canada.

COOPER MORGAN, LHP | Canberra, ACT | Quebec Capitales (Frontier League)
22G/0GS, 3.28 ERA, 24.2 IP, 32 K, 0.81 WHIP

An oft-used reliever who won the pitcher of the month award for Quebec in May.

JACKSON GROUNDS, RHP | Brisbane, QLD | Trois-Rivières Aigles (Frontier League)
11.88 ERA, 16.2 IP, 21 K, 2.22 WHIP

Traded mid-season after starting in Down East.

KY HAMPTON, RHP | Adelaide, SA | Ottawa Titans (Frontier League)
5G/5GS, 4.88 ERA, 31.1 IP, 24 K, 1.50 WHIP

Missed the first month of the year but is now getting regular starts the Canadian side.

BILLY PARSONS, RHP | Bendigo, VIC | Sussex County Miners (Frontier League)
9G/9GS, 6.80 ERA, 46.1 IP, 48 K, 1.60 WHIP

A former Frontier League All-Star is used more a starter now than his traditional reliever role.

FOREIGN LEAGUES

JOSH GESSNER, RHP | Sydney, NSW | Tokushima Indigo Socks (Shikoku Island League, Japan)
1 GP, 16.88 ERA, 2.2 IP, 0 K

Just the one appearance for Gessner, who is on the comeback trail after retiring last year.

RIXON WINGROVE, 1B | Newcastle, NSW | Tokushima Indigo Socks (Shikoku Island League, Japan)
17 GP, .327 AVG, 4 HR, 9 RBI

Hitting with power and consistency. A great start to a Japanese career.

LUKE KRKOVSKI, LHP | Cronulla, NSW | BarbaNegras Tijuana (Mexican League – North)
58.0 IP, 3.82 ERA, 1.40 WHIP, 16 BB, 73 SO

A strong season for Krkovski, his first year as a pro!

READ MORE – Australian Baseball News:

24 June 2026 By Eric Balnar

By Eric Balnar

Community

Baseball in Australia launches 'Play Ball, Play Well' National Participation Strategy

Baseball Australia has unveiled its new National Participation Plan, providing a shared roadmap to grow participation, strengthen communities and create positive experiences across all levels of the game.

The plan replaces Baseball Australia’s previous national participation strategy, released in 2022, and aligns with the Australian Sports Commission’s (ASC) Play Well Strategy – Australia’s first national sport participation framework.

The plan was developed in partnership with Baseball Australia’s State and Territory Members and key stakeholders. It outlines the current state of the game, identifies opportunities for future growth and establishes a shared commitment to participation priorities across the country.

READ THE STRATEGY: Baseball in Australia’s Participation Plan

The launch comes at a time of continued growth for baseball in Australia. Participation increased by more than six percent between 2023-24 and 2024-25, with the sport on track to record further growth during the current financial year.

At the centre of the plan is a commitment to ensuring baseball remains safe, inclusive, welcoming and accessible for participants of all ages, backgrounds, genders and abilities.

The Play Well Strategy, developed by the Australian Sports Commission, aims to ensure “everyone has a place in sport” by creating environments where Australians can participate, connect and thrive through sport and physical activity.

The National Participation Plan was signed off on by all member states, with a commitment to supporting inclusive participation opportunities, promoting safe and respectful environments, and working collaboratively to implement and review the actions outlined within the strategy.

Baseball Australia Chief Executive Officer Glenn Williams said the plan provides a clear national direction for the sport while recognising the important role played by clubs, associations, volunteers, coaches, parents and administrators across the country.

“Baseball shaped my life,” Williams said. “From beginning at the Ingleburn Magpies to representing Australia at the Olympic Games and playing professionally, the game gave me opportunity, purpose, friendships and experiences I never imagined. Sport builds resilience, confidence, community and lifelong connections, and this plan aims to ensure more Australians can access those benefits.”

“Aligned with the Australian Sports Commission’s Play Well strategy, our aim is simple: ensure everyone has a place in baseball, so people can Play Ball, Play Well. With aligned priorities and a shared national direction, we can deliver great experiences for more people, in more places, more often.”

The National Participation Plan will guide participation initiatives throughout its term and be reviewed regularly to ensure it remains responsive to the needs of Australia’s baseball community.

16 June 2026 By Eric Balnar

By Eric Balnar

- Team Australia

Caitlin Eynon named captain of the Emeralds

Caitlin Eynon has been named captain of Australia’s Women’s National Team.

The 23-year-old Western Australian is set to lead the Emeralds into the 2026 Women’s Baseball World Cup.

Eynon has built an impressive baseball resume.

The short-stop and right-handed pitcher is entering her second World Cup after debuting for the Emeralds in 2023. She is a national champion (2023), and an Australian Women’s Championship MVP (2026), Golden Arm (2025) and Golden Glove (2025) winner.

She was one of nine Australians selected in the inaugural Women’s Professional League (WPBL) draft.

Now, she can add ‘National Team Captain’ to that list.

While what she does on the field is impressive, Emeralds manager Jason Pospishil says it’s what she does off-the field and in the club house that separates her.

“Eynon exhibits everything you want in a leader. She has consistent behaviours, a team-first mentality and a commitment to winning and the program,” says Pospishil. “I was so impressed with how she went about her business in the last World Cup and how the players gravitated towards her lead.”

For Eynon, it’s a surreal moment. It wasn’t all that long ago she was a little kid, learning the game in Perth, dreaming of playing the game at the biggest stage possible.

“Nine year old Caitlin would be absolutely honoured and thrilled to have the opportunity to lead this team,” says Eynon. “Leadership qualities are something I have been working to develop on and off the field and I am beyond grateful to utilise them to help bring this team success.”

LISTEN: Hear from Caitlin Eynon on ABC Radio

Pospishil says he felt it was important to name a captain for the group in 2026, after not having one in 2023. He says Eynon represents ‘true leadership.’

“There is a misconception that leadership is through vocality, but that is only one part of it. We need leadership that exercises consistent behaviours and great social decision making skills, not just vocality,” says Pospishil.

“By naming a captain that has the respect of the playing group and exercises the behaviours and standards that we desire, our program will achieve what we want to achieve.”

So what is Eynon’s leadership style?

“I employ the ‘lead from the front mentality’. I always want my words and actions to align with what it means to represent Australia on a World Cup stage,” she says.

Pospishil says he sees Eynon being part of the national team program for a while.

“She will be the cornerstone of this team for a long time and I couldn’t think of a better candidate to lead the Emeralds into the future,” he says.

Eynon is one of 20 named to the 2026 World Cup roster. They will compete in the Rockford Group in Illinois from July 22-26.

“We are going into this group stage at the World Cup with a winning mentality. We focus only on the aspects that contribute to winning and put no energy into the uncontrollables that don’t align with that model,” says Eynon. “Having all 20 players bought into that mentality will give us the best chance of success.”

16 June 2026 By Staff Writers

By Staff Writers

Community

Baseball Australia adds three new board members

Three new members have joined the existing Baseball Australia board.

Samantha Macpherson, Marie Malaxos and Sarah Cook were all appointed to the Baseball Australia Board in May.

In 2025, Baseball Australia members supported constitutional changes that reflected the evolving needs of the organisation and the broader sporting landscape. It resulted in the appointment of three outstanding directors whose skills, experience and perspectives will further strengthen the Board.

READ MORE: The Baseball Australia Board

“These are three excellent additions to the Board, who complement the skillset and work currently underway with existing Board Members,” said Baseball Australia President, David Hynes AM.

“All of these new Board Members have been involved with Australian Baseball previously, and we are excited about the contributions they will make to our sport moving forward.”

You can read about each of the new members and their experience below.

—–

Samantha is an experienced high-performance sport executive with a strong track record across elite sport administration, operational leadership, athlete management, and organisational governance.

Based in Perth, Samantha has built a career leading high-performance programs and sporting organisations across lacrosse, basketball, hockey and swimming.

She is passionate about advancing governance standards in sport while creating sustainable, high-performing environments that support both athlete wellbeing and organisational success.

Samantha has a long standing commitment to baseball having participated at club level as a player, scorer, coach and committee member and as a member of Baseball Australia’s Governance Committee.

Marie is a highly accomplished executive and non-executive director with broad and strategic experience across a portfolio of Board positions.

She was previously COO of ARC Energy Limited and Buru Energy Limited, ASX listed petroleum exploration and production companies.

Her board experience includes preparing a company for IPO, NED roles on ASX listed companies, private, government enterprises, and NFP organizations.

Marie brings board experience on committees including Audit and Risk, Business Development and ESG.

Marie is a Life Member of the Energy Club of WA and is a former Board Member and Chair of Baseball Western Australia. Her qualifications include a Diploma of Engineering, Certificate of Management and Graduate of Australian Institute of Company Directors.

Sarah Cook is a two-time Olympian in rowing and Australian representative in sailing who has become a respected leader in global sport, championing gender equality and sport for development.

Sarah is the CEO of Rowing Australia and a member of the World Rowing Council, representing Oceania within the international governing body for the sport.

A dual Olympian at the Beijing 2008 and London 2012 Olympic Games, Sarah represented Australia across multiple World Championships and won medals at both World Championship and World Cup level during her rowing career. Following her retirement from elite competition, she also represented Australia in sailing in the 470 and 49erFX classes.

Sarah was the first non-British woman elected as a Steward of Henley Royal Regatta and now serves as a member of its Committee of Management. She is also a respected international rowing commentator and has held a range of governance and leadership positions across Australian sport, including serving previously as a Director of Baseball Australia.

Through her leadership roles nationally and internationally, Sarah continues to advocate for high performance excellence, athlete wellbeing, women in leadership and the power of sport to create positive social impact, particularly as Australia builds towards Brisbane 2032.

11 June 2026 By Eric Balnar

By Eric Balnar

Community

Umpiring legends Geoff Robertson and Gerard Tancred awarded Order of Australia Medal

Australian baseball is celebrating the achievements of two of its most respected officials, with Geoff Robertson and Gerard Tancred both awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) for service to baseball in the 2026 King’s Birthday Honours.

The recognition acknowledges decades of dedication to the game as umpires, educators, administrators and mentors, with both men leaving an enduring legacy on baseball in Australia and internationally.

Robertson’s contribution to the sport spans more than half a century. An Olympic umpire at both the 1992 Barcelona and 2000 Sydney Games, he also officiated at the inaugural World Baseball Classic in 2006 and served extensively with the World Baseball Softball Confederation, Baseball Australia and Baseball New South Wales.

Beyond his achievements on the field, Robertson has played a significant role in the development of baseball officials through mentoring, education and administration. His work has helped shape generations of Australian umpires and technical officials.
Tancred’s impact on Australian baseball has been equally significant.

He represented Australia on the international stage as an umpire at the 1996 Atlanta and 2000 Sydney Olympic Games, while also officiating at the 1994 Baseball World Cup and spending more than a decade umpiring in the Australian Baseball League.

A respected instructor and leader, Tancred served as the NSW Baseball Umpires Association’s Director of Umpiring and has been instrumental in the development of officials throughout Australia. His influence continues to be recognised through the annual Gerard Tancred Trophy, awarded to the NSW Baseball Umpire of the Year.

Baseball Australia congratulates both Geoff Robertson OAM and Gerard Tancred OAM on this well-deserved honour and thanks them for their outstanding contributions to the sport.

11 June 2026 By Eric Balnar

By Eric Balnar

- Little League

HUB: 2026 Australian Little League Girls & Invitational Schedule and Tournament Details revealed

For news and results, make sure you head to THE HUB at www.baseball.com.au/redcliffe

The Australian baseball community shifts their attention to Redcliffe, Queensland for two tournaments running side-by-side in July. It’s the final national championship of the 2026 season.

A flock of baseball loving 9-12 year-olds will be coming to experience a week long tournament in one of the most beautiful parts of the world.

Here you will find schedules and information for each division for the event running from July 7-11, sponsored by the City of Moreton Bay.

Games scheduled on Diamond 1 will be broadcast live & free on Baseball+. Each team in the tournament will have two games on broadcast, in line with all other national championships.

You can follow along the rest of the action on GameChanger.

COMBINED SCHEDULE: Download the PDF

08 June 2026 By Eric Balnar

By Eric Balnar

- Little League

Baseball Australia confirms for Little League Nationals venues for 2027-29

Baseball Australia has confirmed the locations for Little League National Championship Events for a three-year cycle between 2027-2029.

The four national championship events will continue to serve as entry to some of the most prestigious youth sporting tournaments in the world, with each Australian champion earning direct entry to their respective World Series event in the United States.

Little League Baseball is one of the world’s largest and most participated youth sports programs, involving millions of players across more than 80 countries and regions each year.

For Australian teams, the opportunity to represent their community and country on the international stage remains one of the sport’s most unique experiences.

The successful host clubs were selected following an extensive application process, with Baseball Australia receiving numerous expressions of interest and formal submissions from clubs and associations across the country. The next hosting application process will open in 2028.

The three-year hosting cycle provides certainty for local organisers and allows host clubs, associations, and state bodies to strategically plan, invest, and enhance their events over time.

The championships are spread across four different states and four different clubs during the cycle, showing off the strength of grassroots and community baseball.

The venues are:
– Senior League Championships: Glenelg Tigers and Adelaide Angels (SA)
– Junior League Championships: Pine Hills Lightning (QLD)
– Intermediate League Championships: Knox Falcons (VIC)
– Little League Championships: Blacktown International Sports Park (NSW)

08 June 2026 By Eric Balnar

By Eric Balnar

- Little League

RECAP + HIGHLIGHTS | Ryde hold their nerve to book spot at Little League World Series

Ryde Red stayed composed in an intense Gold Medal Game on Monday afternoon in Sydney.

Watch the highlights and read the recap with all the stats below.

DAY 6 RESULTS – MONDAY 8 JUNE

Gold Medal

– Ryde Red 9 def Central Firebirds 3 | Replay |

Ryde win the Championship and advance to the Little League World Series

Consolation Games

– Bronze Medal: Adelaide Marlins 5 def Eastern Phantoms 1

– Canberra 13 def NT Buffaloes 4
– Brisbane North 10 def Melbourne Athletic s0
– Brisbane Metro 5 def Cronulla Black 4
– Ryde Black 3 def Melbourne Rangers 0

RECAPS

GOLD MEDAL | Ryde Red hold their nerve to book Williamsport berth

Ryde Red are heading to Williamsport.

In front of a packed grandstand at Blacktown International Sportspark, Ryde Red defeated Central Firebirds 9-3 in Monday’s Australian Little League Championship Gold Medal Game, securing Australia’s place at the 2026 Little League World Series in Pennsylvania this August.

Watch the Replay: Ryde Red 9 def Central Firebirds 3

The scoreline tells part of the story. The composure shown by Ryde Red tells the rest.

It was a different environment than a typical baseball game these 10-12 year olds would be used to.

A 10-minute pre-game ceremony saw every player individually introduced to the crowd. Music echoed throughout the stadium. A live anthem singer delivered the national anthem. Nearly 1,000 spectators packed the venue, including dozens of fellow Little Leaguers who spent the afternoon chanting and cheering from the grandstands.

With a trip to the most famous tournament in youth baseball on the line, the pressure was immense.

Ryde’s response was calm, cool and collected.

The Firebirds threatened immediately in the top of the first. Ashton Fisher, Flynn Kalin and Jacob Krawec all collected hits as Central loaded the bases with one out against Ryde starter Hikaru Kaneko.

The right-hander never blinked.

Kaneko induced an infield fly before winning a tense nine-pitch battle for strike three to escape the inning unscathed.

It proved to be one of the defining moments of the championship game.

Moments later, Ryde struck.

Riley Fury opened the scoring with an RBI triple before Kaneko helped his own cause with a run-scoring single. Jasper Pearse delivered the biggest blow of the inning, lining a two-run double with the bases loaded as Ryde surged to a 5-0 advantage.

It was a composed response to one of the most emotionally challenging innings of the tournament.

Defence became the story in the second when Cormac Dillon produced an unassisted double play to erase another Firebirds threat.

Central Firebirds showed their guts and refused to go away.

Flynn Kalin delivered a clutch two-run triple in the third inning to cut the deficit to 5-2, before another run crossed on a wild pitch in the fourth.

Suddenly the Firebirds had life.

The momentum had shifted but Ryde never panicked.

With two runners aboard and two outs in the third, manager Paul Jones turned to Edin Becirevic out of the bullpen.

The reliever delivered one of the gutsiest outings of the championship. Becirevic worked 3.1 innings, allowing five hits and one run while not issuing a single walk.
.
The championship was effectively sealed in the fifth inning.

Ryde loaded the bases before Kaneko dropped a soft liner into centre field to score two runs and collect his second and third RBI of the afternoon. Frederick Loats followed with an RBI single as Ryde scored four times in the inning to stretch the lead to 9-3.

The Firebirds mounted one final challenge in the sixth, placing two runners aboard with one out.

Becirevic remained calm.

Two routine fly balls later, gloves were in the air and Ryde Red were celebrating a trip to Williamsport.

“It’s a fantastic feeling,” manager Paul Jones said. “The last couple games our bats really lit up. We kept the pressure on, we got base runners on, our pitchers did the job. It was unbelievable.”

For the players, the reality of what they had achieved was still sinking in.

“I was very stressed and very nervous, but I’m happy to be going to Williamsport,” Kobe Bosman said after recording the final out – something his cousin did just five years prior.

The victory caps a perfect championship run for Ryde Red and sends them to the Little League World Series, where they will represent Australia on one of the biggest stages in youth sport. It’s the first time a Ryde team has advanced to the marquee Little League series event.

PLAYERS: Jayden Lee, Frederick Loats, Calum Lesser, Riley Fury, Nicholas Robson, Aaron Dare, Kobe Bosman, Hikaru Kaneko, Daniel Warwick, Cormac Dillon, Jasper Pearse. COACHES: Paul Jones (Manager), Ryan Fury, Andrew Ross. EO: Matt Pearse.

RYDE RED

Hits: D. Warwick (2), H. Kaneko (2), R. Fury, J. Lee, E. Becirevic, F. Loats, J. Pearse, C. Dillon

RBI: H. Kaneko (3), J. Pearse (2), J. Pearse (2), R. Fury (1), E. Becirevic (1), F. Loats (1)

Pitching:
– H. Kaneko — 2.2 IP, 5 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 2 BB, 4 SO
– E. Becirevic (W) — 3.1 IP, 5 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 3 SO

CENTRAL FIREBIRDS
Hits: K. Ogilvie (2), H. Welten (2), A. Fisher, F. Kalin, J. Krawec, B. Saban-Smithers, K. Aizlewood, V. Buckley
RBI: F. Kalin (2)

Pitching:
– C. Moffat (L) — 2.0 IP, 6 H, 5 R, 5 ER, 0 BB, 3 SO
– K. Aizlewood — 2.0 IP, 2 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 3 BB, 3 SO
– K. Ogilvie — 1.0 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 1 SO

BRONZE MEDAL | Hunter Ung strikes out 13 as Marlins claim 5-1 bronze medal win over the Eastern Phantoms

Hunter Ung and the Adelaide Marlins needed just 68 minutes to defeat the Eastern Phantoms and win a bronze medal at the 2026 Australian Little League Championships.

Ung, the Marlins’ starter, pitched like he had somewhere to be. He allowed just four hits and a run over 6.0 innings, striking out an equal tournament-high 13 batters and walked none. Of the 74 pitches he threw, 59 were for strikes.

Darcy Brewis also had a solid start for the Phantoms. All five of his runs were unearned. He threw 5.0 innings, allowing seven hits with one walk and eight strikeouts.

The Phantoms struck first off a fielder’s choice in the first.

Cameron Majewski tied the game at one on the bottom of the inning, and later took the lead off an error.

Hunter Ung and Connor Maidment both had RBI to push the Adelaide lead to 4-1 in the fifth. Cooper Kenny doubled in Adelaide’s fifth and final run in the fifth.

Congratulations to the Marlins on winning bronze!

ADELAIDE MARLINS

Hits: C. Majewski (2), C. Kenny (2), O. Patman, W. Cox, C. Maidment
RBI: H. Ung (1), C. Maidment (1), O. Patman (1), C. Kenny (1)

Pitching:
– H. Ung — 6.0 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 13 SO

EASTERN PHANTOMS

Hits: N. Rowland, D. Brewis, L. Kendall, A. Kelly
RBI: J. McCay (1)

Pitching:
– D. Brewis — 5.0 IP, 7 H, 5 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 8 SO

CONSOLATION | Evan Grobler nearly perfect, sets new tournament high in strikeouts, in big Brisbane North win

Evan Grobler’s stat line is something to behold.

5.0 IP | 0 H| 0 BB | 0 R | 14 SO

It wasn’t quite perfect because the Athletics had a base runner off a dropped third strike and an error.

Still, an amazing effort in Brisbane North’s 10-0 win.

Grobler finishes the tournament with 27 strikeouts in 9.2 innings. He’s only 11 and eligible to return to next year.

Oh, he also hit an inside-the-park home run.

Meanwhile, Brisbane North scored in four of the five innings. Porter Cox and Averey Griffin each had two hits. Griffin drove in a pair.

BRISBANE NORTH

Hits: A. Griffin (2), P. Cox (2), H. Lokeni, E. Grobler, M. Fogg, C. Black, J. Young
RBI: A. Griffin (2), E. Grobler (2), H. Lokeni (1), P. Cox (1), T. Hession (1), A. Gaskell (1)

HR: E. Grobler

Pitching:
– E. Grobler — 5.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 14 SO

MELBOURNE ATHLETICS

Hits: None

Pitching:
– M. Keane — 2.0 IP, 4 H, 7 R, 6 ER, 3 BB, 2 SO
– S-Q. Yang — 2.0 IP, 5 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 3 BB, 2 SO

CONSOLATION | Canberra score nine unanswered runs after breaking tie vs NT Buffaloes

The NT Buffaloes fought hard to rally and score three runs in the third to tie the game up at four.

Canberra responded instantly, scoring five in the fourth and four in the last to run away with a 13-4 win.

Eddie Tudor and Layton Kowert led the team with the bats and on the mound. They combined to allow just one hit between them. They both had two hits at the plate.

Kaylan Herath had a pair of RBI. It’s Canberra’s third win of the tournament.

CANBERRA RANGERS

Hits: E. Tunningley (2), L. Kowert (2), K. Herath, L. McIntyre, T. Tudor, T. Matavesi, D. Hurley
RBI: K. Herath (2), L. McIntyre (1), T. Tudor (1), L. Kowert (1), T. Jenkins (1)

Pitching:
– T. Tudor — 1.1 IP, 0 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 6 BB, 4 SO
– L. Kowert — 4.1 IP, 1 H, 3 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 5 SO

NT BUFFALOES

Hits: C. Brown (1)

Pitching:
– B. Derr — 3.1 IP, 4 H, 7 R, 3 ER, 1 BB, 5 SO
– W. George — 2.2 IP, 5 H, 6 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 3 SO

CONSOLATION | Ryde Black shutout Melbourne Rangers in fast moving gam

Ryde Black needed just 66 minutes to shut down the Melbourne Rangers.

Haruki Sawa tossed a complete game shutout, allowing just six hits and no walks. He struck out three while trusting his defense behind him.

Liam Punch had a two-RBI double in the top of the third to put Ryde Black up 2-0. Ned Fernie led the way with two hits.

Archie Watt-Sinclair had two hits for the Rangers.

RYDE BLACK

Hits: N. Fernie (2), L. Punch, A. Post, H. Sawa, I. Choi, J. Melhem, K. Komine
RBI: L. Punch (2), M. Chamberlain (1)

Pitching:
– H. Sawa (W) — 6.0 IP, 6 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 3 SO

MELBOURNE RANGERS
Hits: A. Watt-Sinclair (2), H. Duncan, J. Sambell, E. Andrzejewski, H. Reenan

Pitching:
– J. Sambell (L) — 4.2 IP, 7 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 2 BB, 5 SO
– A. Watt-Sinclair — 1.1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 1 SO

CONSOLATION | Brisbane Metro win it extra innings despite giving up four run lead

Despite seeing a four-run lead disappear, Brisbane Metro held off Cronulla Black by scoring a winning run in the final inning of a 5-4 consolation game.

It was scoreless until the fourth. Then, Axel Holmstrom, Toby Sheeran and Anderson Wild drove in runs to take a 4-0 lead.

Cronulla Black pieced together a great rally in the bottom of the sixth, taking advantage of walks and errors to tie the game at four.

Toby Sheeran then singled home a run in the top of the first extra inning.

Ari Holmstrom shut the door to win it 5-4.

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