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It’s Championship Saturday!

Watch both games on Baseball+ via the App or online (plus.baseball.com.au)

SCHEDULE

– YOUTH GOLD: Western Australia 24 def South Australia 4

– WOMEN’S GOLD: Victoria 8 def Western Australia 5

CONSOLATION GAMES
– Youth | 11:15AM – New South Wales vs Victoria,follow on GameChanger
– Youth | 1:30PM – Victoria vs Queensland, follow on GameChanger
– Women | 9:00AM – Queensland vs Roos, follow on GameChanger
– Women | 11:45AM – New South Wales vs South Australia, follow on Game Changer

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WOMEN’S GOLD

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KAMETANI DAZZLES, VICTORIA HOLD ON TO WIN WOMEN’S GOLD

Victoria have won their second Gold Medal in three years, and 15th overall, after an 8-5 win over Western Australia in Melbourne.

It’s the first Gold Medal Game victory since COVID.

It wasn’t easy.

Victoria surged ahead to an early 8-1 lead, but Western Australia clawed back to cut the lead to three in the last. They even had the tying run at the plate, before Emerald Allie Bebbere struck out Peyton Newman to secure the championship.

Narumi Kametani tossed 6.0 innings, allowing just two earned runs, vs a lethal Western Australia offense.

Victoria put the boots to the ground early. Kira Kuwamoto, Lili Cavanagh, Abbey McLellan and Jamie Bastian ripped off four straight singles off Western Australia starter Madison Lines to open up a 2-0 lead. Emi Saiki followed up with a two-RBI double to push the lead to 4-0.

Victoria added two more in the third after Lilly Simpson was struck by a pitch and Kametani grounded into a fielder’s choice. They added another in the fourth. 7-0.

All the while, Emi Saiki made five standout plays at third base. Victoria turned two double plays to escape Western Australia pressure.

Western Australia turned to flame throwing reliever Caitlin Eynon in the fifth. With a 78mph fastball, Eynon allowed just one run in 3.0 innings.

It allowed Western Australia to mount a mini-comeback. After Kametani departed the game, Chloe Atkinson, Meaghan Haggart, and Bianca Ramsey all singled in runs to inch closer. 8-5.

Hall of Fame Sam Hamilton called upon Bebbere for the final out. With the tying run at the dish, Bebbere got Newman looking. Ball game. Championship.

It was done as a team. All nine players in Victoria’s winning line up had a hit.

AWARD WINNERS (Announced Post Game)
– Golden Bat: Chloe Atkinson (WA)
– Golden Arm: Narumi Kametani (VIC)
– Golden Glove: Emi Saiki (VIC)
– MVP: Caitlin Eynon (WA)

VICTORIA

Hits (12): Abbey Kelly (2), Kira Kuwamoto, Lili Cavanagh (2), Abbey McLellan, Jamie Bastian, Miku Saita (2), Emi Saiki (2), Lilly Simpson, Narumi Kametani

RBI: Kuwamoto, McLellan, Bastian, Saita, Saiki (2), Simpson, Kametani

WESTERN AUSTRALIA

Hits (12): Elodie O’Sullivan (2), Caitlin Eynon, Leah Cornish, Chloe Atkinson, Meaghan Haggart (2), Aislinn Morris (2), Bianca Ramsey (2), Bella Clarke

RBI (3): Ramsey (2), Morris

YOUTH GOLD

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DUCKWORTH DRIVES IN 10, Golding homers twice, WA run away to Gold Medal

Western Australia have claimed their first U16 Girls Gold Medal since 2016 with a resounding 24-4 victory over South Australia.

Western Australia piled on 21 hits during the game.

Lily Duckworth and Jemma Golding just produced two of the best Grand Final performances we’ve seen.

Duckworth’s stat line doesn’t feel reel. She went 3-for-5 with 2 homers and a ridiclous 9 RBI.

Golding went 4-for-4 with two homers, 5 RBI and a walk herself herself. She chipped in four stolen bases. Golding also started the game, pitching 2.0 innings with 2 hits, 2 earned runs and 5 s trikeouts.

Summer Hiscock closed out the game, throwing 3.0 innings allowing two runs.

Sara Scott had a big day out too. She went 4-for-5 with 3 RBI and a walk.

Western Australia peppered the scoreboard all morning. They had a 5-3 lead in the third before they exploded for six in the bottom of the inning. They added seven in the fourth and eight in the fifth.

26-4 is your final.

The team combined for 21 hits.

Grace Thompson homered for South Australia.

The winning team is Aleigha Auld, Millar Butler, Sophie Dowsett, Lily Duckworth, Jemma Golding, Summer Hiscock, Isla Kalebic, Imani Morawiec, Stevie Oates, Emerson Padfield, Sara Scott, Sienna Seiler, Elizabeth Stewart, Jaimie Vlasic

The coaches are Gus Golding (Manager), Luke Hulbert, Beyanka Girdlestone, Trish Dowsett (EO).

WESTERN AUSTRALIA

Hits (21): Jemma Golding (4), Sara Scott (4), Summer Hiscock (2), Lily Duckworth (3), Jamie Vlasic, Aleigha Auld (3), Stevie Oates, Elizabeth Stewart (3)
RBI: Duckworth (10), Jemma Golding (5), Sara Scott (3), Summer Hiscock, Jamie Vlasic, Stewart (2), Seiler
HR: Golding (2), Duckworth (2)

SOUTH AUSTRALIA

Hits (7): Lillian Sterry (2), Isla Scott, Marley Fridd, Olivia George, Grace Thompson, Lily Ruskin
RBI: Olivia George (2), Sterry, Thompson
HR: Thompson

AWARD WINNERS (Announced Post Game)
– Golden Bat: Lily Duckworth (WA)
– Golden Arm: Lillian Sterry (SA)
– Golden Glove: Jemma Golding (WA)
– MVP: Jemma Golding (WA)

The Gold Medal Games are set.

Here’s how the day unfolded, with highlights and mini-matches from games.

Some iconic stuff unfolded….

You can watch all the replays and action action on Baseball+.

For tournament archived stories and results, visit the Hub at www.baseball.com.au/womens2026.

SCORES AND SCHEDULE

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Women’s

Friday 17 April
Watch on Baseball+ (App or plus.baseball.com.au) 

– QUALIFYING FINAL | Western Australia 6 def Victoria 2 (WA advances to Gold, VIC to Prelim)

– ELIMINATION FINAL | New South Wales 8 def Queensland 4 (NSW to Prelim)

– PRELIMINARY FINAL | Victoria 8 def New South Wales 0 (VIC to Gold)

– 5:00PM: Consolation – Roos vs South Australia

Saturday 18 April
Watch on Baseball+ (App or plus.baseball.com.au) 

– 2:30PM: GOLD MEDAL: Western Australia vs Victoria

Youth Women’s

Friday 17 April
Watch on Baseball+ (App or plus.baseball.com.au) 

FINALS RESULTS

– Western Australia 14 def South Australia 5
– South Australia 6 def New South Wales 3
– Western Australia 10 def New South Wales 4

– Consolation – Victoria 10 def Queensland 6

Round Robin Standings

1. Western Australia, 2-0
2. South Australia, 1-1
3. New South Wales, 0-2

South Australia and Western Australia to play for Gold at 9:00AM on Saturday. Watch on Baseball+.

RECAPS

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AWC QUALIFYING FINAL – WESTERN AUSTRALIA 6 def VICTORIA 2 | Chloe Atkinson hits Grand Slam in the last to send Western Australia to a Gold Medal Game

Two outs. Bases Loaded. Tied Game. Last inning. A trip to the Gold Medal Game on the line.

“That scenario is something you dream as when you’re a kid,” said Chloe Atkinson after the game.

She got to live it. And deliver.

Atkinson launched an eventual game-winning Grand Slam over the left field wall to break a 2-2 tie in the 7th in a 6-2 win for Western Australia. They’ll advance to Saturday’s Gold Medal Game, while Victoria will have to play in the Preliminary Final.

 

“I was visualising line drive and I happened to put it over,” said Atkinson after the game. “But yeah – that was awesome. I’m so glad I could do this for my team and complete my dream.”

Atkinson finished the day going 3-for-4 with a HR, 5 RBI and she caught a runner stealing behind the dish.

The game was a pitcher’s dual between Western Australia starting pitcher Meaghan Haggart and Victoria’s WPBL arm Emi Saiki.

Haggart fired off 5.0 innings, allowing just three hits and three walks with two runs. Saiki tossed 6.0 innings, allowing one unearned run.

Western Australia capitalised off an error to take a 1-0 lead in the first.

Victoria responded right away. Lili Cavanagh tripled in a run, and Abbey McLellan doubled in another. 2-1.

Caitlin Eynon doubled in the game tying run in the third and it stayed even until the last.

Haggart’s big moment came in the fourth. Victoria had runners on first and second with no out. Haggart went strikeout, strikeout, ground out to escape the jam.

“I just trusted my stuff. I knew what was working. I trusted [the catcher] and it ended up working out,” said Haggart.

Leah Cornish pitched the last 2.0 innings scoreless for Western Australia with a fastball touching 75 miles per hour.

WESTERN AUSTRALIA

Hits (7): Elodie O’Sullivan, Caitlin Eynon (2), Chloe Atkinson (3), Aislinn Morris
RBI: Atkinson (5), Eynon
HR: Atkinson

VICTORIA

Hits (4): Abbey Kelly, Lili Cavanagh, Abbey McLellan, Jamie Bastian
RBI: Cavanagh, McLellan

YOUTH | WESTERN AUSTRALIA 14 def SOUTH AUSTRALIA 5 | Vlasic has three hits,  Aleigha Auld homers in opening WA win

Western Australia put up a big number to inch closer to a Gold Medal spot.

Aleigha Auld was at the centre of it all. She hit a two-run homer in the first inning to put Western Australia up 6-0. All the while, she threw 2.1 innings in a start, allowing one hit, one run and had four strikeouts.

Jamie Vlasic also had a big one. She went 3-for-3 with 3 RBI and 3 SB.

Western Australia quickly built an 8-0 lead in the second before South Australia responded with five runs to make things interesting.

But Western Australian answered with a six run third, building off some patient walks, to lead 14-5.

Summer Hiscock also had two hits.

Lily Duckworth closed the game. out with 2.0 innings of shutout ball.

WESTERN AUSTRALIA

Hits (11): Jamie Vlasic (3), Summer Hiscock (2), Jemma Golding, Sara Scott, Lily Duckworth, Aleigha Auld, Stevie Oates, Elizabeth Stewart

RBI: Hiscock (2), Golding, Scott, Auld (2)

SOUTH AUSTRALIA

Hits (6): Evie Jennings,  Lillian Sterry, Olivia George, Makenzie Wigmore, Georgia Sands, Lily Ruskin
RBI: Sterry, Wigmore, Sands, Manson, Ruskin

AWC PRELIMINARY FINAL – | Oliva Bonello stars as New South Wales recovers from shaky start to advance to Preliminary Final 

It wasn’t easy, but New South Wales got the job done.

In the bottom of the third inning, Queensland were up 4-1, had the bases loaded and nobody out.

But New South Wales turned a double play that kept a run off the board, ended the inning, and allowed the Blues to launch.

They ripped off 10 of the next 11 hits in the win.

It would not have been possible without relief pitcher Olivia Bonello. More on her later.

Back to how New South Wales scored.

Lisa Nakshio and Ticara Geldenhuis drove in a run each in the fourth to cut the lead to 4-3.

Sayaka Mori delivered a two-out, two-RBI single in the fifth to put New South Wales up for good.

Claire O’Sullivan and Isobel Lambert connected to drive in two more in the sixth. 7-4.

It was all made possible by a settling relief appearance from Olivia Bonello. She threw 4.0 innings, allowing just two hits, one walk and no runs.

While she didn’t strike anyone out, she certainly trusted her defense.

Queensland saw an all-time effort by Jess Sullivan. She had three hits and a three run homer – off Claire O’Sullivan nonetheless. Jess Mitchell threw 4.0 innings, allowing three earned runs off four hits.

Cayla Johnston had three hits for New South Wales.

NEW SOUTH WALES

Hits (12): Lisa Nakashio, Ticara Geldenhuis (2), Claire O’Sullivan, Isobel Lambert, Cayla Johnston (3), Kara Cassidy (2), Sayaka Mori (2)
RBI: Nakashio, Geldenhuis (2), O’Sullivan,  Heath, Sayaki Mori (2)

QUEENSLAND

Hits (11): Rio Bradley (3), Molly Paddison (2), Jess Sullivan (3), Charlotte Stokes, Ruby Orchard, Lila Hall
RBI: Hall,  Sullivan (3)
HR: Sullivan

AYWC ROUND ROBIN FINAL – SOUTH AUSTRALIA 6 def NEW SOUTH WALES 3 | Pitching takes centre stage as South Australia stay alive with critical win

The pre-game scenario was simple.  New South Wales win? They play Western Australia for Gold. South Australia win? They still have a chance.

Lillian Sterry and Olivia George provided stability on the mound in the victoria. Sterry threw 3.1 innings, allowing 2 hits,  1 earned run, 2 walks with nine strikeouts. George threw 1.2 innings, allowing two hits, one run, and four strikeouts.

Emma Gainsford started for New South Wales, allowing six runs. Georgia Gately was incredible in her relief outing. She threw 3.2 innings with no hits or runs allowed. She conceeded just two walks and eight strikeouts.

South Australia scored three runs in the first and three runs in the second to build an early 6-0 lead. New South Wales scored three late runs to make things interesting.

There were just seven hits combined.

New South Wales and Western Australia will now play in the final game of the day. A Western Australia win means South Australia and WA will play for Gold. A New South Wales win forces a three-way tie.

SOUTH AUSTRALIA

Hits (3): Evie Jennings, Lillian Sterry, Makenzie Wigmore
RBI: Jennings, Isla Scott, Sterry, Wigmore

NEW SOUTH WALES

Hits (4): Lily Baxter (2), Amelia Mahboub, Jess Rosser
RBI: Baxter

AWC PRELIMINARY FINAL – VICTORIA 8 def NEW SOUTH WALES 0 | Allie Bebbere’s complete game shutout leads Victoria to Gold Medal Game

Clinical.

Allie Bebbere threw 6.0 shutout innings with just six hits and a pair of walks in a commanding performace.

Abbey Kelly went 3-for-3 at the plate and played some stellar shortstop. Kira Kuwamoto also had three hits batting second.

Victoria got on the board in the bottom of the second inning after Kira Kuwamoto doubled, scoring two runs, and Abbey McLellan drew a walk.

They scored four more in the fifth, blowing the game wide open to an 8-0 margin. Narumi Kametani, Abbey Kelly and Kira Kuwamoto had key RBI.

Ebony Van Eynde started for New South Wales, allowing four runs.

Victoria advance to the Gold Medal Game vs Western Australia on Saturday at 2:30PM. New South Wales will win Bronze.

VICTORIA

Hits (9): Abbey Kelly (3), Kira Kuwamoto (3), Abbey McLellan, Lilly Simpson, Narumi Kametani
RBI: Kuwamoto (3), Kelly, McLellan, Bastian, Kametani (2)

NEW SOUTH WALES

Hits (6): Lisa Nakashio, Ticara Geldenhuis, Claire O’Sullivan (2), Caylan Johnston, Sayaka Mori

AYWC FINALS – WESTERN AUSTRALIA 10 def NEW SOUTH WALES 4 | Western Australia hits two homers en route to Gold Medal Game 

Western Australia stayed unbeaten, slugging two homers and receiving big-time pitching from Jamie Vlasic and Summer Hiscock in a win to send themselves to the Gold Medal Game.

Jemma Golding led the game off with a homer, her third of the tournament. Sara Scott drilled her second homer of the tournament in the last inning to put a bow on the game.

Western Australia combined for 11 hits. Stevie Oates had three of them. Jemma Golding went 2-for-3 with 3 RBI. Sara Scott had two hits as well.

Lily Baxter had a pair of hits and an RBI for New South Wales.

Jamie Vlasic and Summer Hiscock were tremendous on the bump. Vlasic. threw 4.2 innings, allowing 3 earned runs with 8 strikeouts. Summer Hiscock was perfect in 1.1 innings with three strikeouts.

Western Australia built up an early 4-1 lead, and pulled away late. They’ll now take on South Australia for Gold at 9:00AM on Saturday.

New South Wales will win Bronze.

WESTERN AUSTRALIA

Hits (11): Golding (2), Scott (2), Duckworth, Auld, Oates (3), Kalebic, Stewart
RBI: Golding (3), Scott, Vlasic, Auld (2), Oates (2)
HR: Golding, Scott

NEW SOUTH WALES

Hits (6): Baxter (2), Arifaki, Mahboub, Pekert, Stevens
RBI: Baxter, Stevens

Are you not entertained?

Homers continued to fly in the Youth, as all three finals spots were locked up.

Caitlin Eynon and Abbey McLellan delivered iconic performances for their states on the first day of finals.

Read about how the day unfolded below.

STAT LEADERS: Who are the leaders after Pool Play?

For tournament archived stories and results, visit the Hub at www.baseball.com.au/womens2026.

AWC SCHEDULE & RESULTS | WEDNESDAY 15 APRIL | FINALS

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Thursday 16 April
Follow on Game Changer

– FINALS GAME 1 | Western Australia 17 def New South Wales 3
– FINALS GAME 2 | Victoria 15 def Queensland 0

– Consolation: South Australia 20 def Roos 7

Western Australia and Victoria advance to the Qualifying Final (QF). Winner of QF goes to Gold Medal Game. Loser goes to Preliminary Final.

New South Wales and Queensland progress to Elimination Final (EF). Winner advances to Preliminary Final. Loser is eliminated.

Friday 17 April
Watch on Baseball+ (App or plus.baseball.com.au) 

– 9:00AM: QUALIFYING FINAL | Victoria vs Western Australia
– 11:30AM:ELIMINATION FINAL | New South Wales vs Queensland
– 2:30PM: PRELIMINARY FINAL | Winner Elimination Finals vs Loser Qualifying Final

Saturday 18 April
Watch on Baseball+ (App or plus.baseball.com.au) 

– 2:30PM: GOLD MEDAL: Winner Qualifying Final vs Winner Preliminary Final Final

AYWC SCHEDULE AND STANDINGS – WEDNESDAY 15 APRIL

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– Victoria 10 def Queensland 6
– New South Wales 22 def South Australia 1
– Western Australia 10 def South Australia 2

FINAL POOL PLAY STANDINGS

Top three make finals.
*clinched spot in Finals

1. Western Australia 4-0*
2. New South Wales 2-2*
3. South Australia 2-2*
4. Victoria 1-3
5. Queensland 1-3

Western Australia, New South Wales and South Australia finish Top 3 after Pool Play and advance to Finals.

They will each play each other on Friday in a mini-round robin. The records reset to 0-0. The top two advance to the Gold Medal Game.  The third place team wins bronze.

RECAPS

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WOMEN’S

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FINAL 1 | WESTERN AUSTRALIA 17 def NEW SOUTH WALES 5 | Caitlin Eynon homers twice as Western Australia advance to Qualifying Final

Caitlin Eynon produced one of the more memorable national championship games in recent memory.

The Emerald and WPBL Draft pick homered twice – including a grand slam – in a dominant victory for Western Australia.

Her final stat line: 2-for-2, 2 HR, 6 RBI, 2 BB, 4 R, 1 SB, 1 Grand Slam.

They’ve guaranteed themselves at least a bronze medal, and will have two cracks at advancing to the Gold Medal Game tomorrow.

WA started hot. Chloe Atkinson and Meaghan Haggart produced a pair of RBI to jump to a 3-0 lead.  It was one of three hits for Haggart and two for Atkinson.

New South Wales quickly responded thanks to a two-run blast by Ticara Geldenhuis that tied the game at three.

Then Western Australia took over. Haggart, Morris and Bianca Ramsey each drove in a run in a three-run third. 6-3.

Eynon had a two-run homer to left in the fourth. 8-3.

Then, Western Australia exploded for nine runs in the sixth, capped off by grand slam by Eynon.

On the mound, junior baseballer Bella Clarke was excellent. She tossed all 6.0 innings, allowing five runs off six hits, walking just one. After the three runs in the first, she settled.

“Honestly, I was really nervous. New South Wales is a really strong team. I knew if I threw strikes, my team would back me,” she said. “I got rattled in the first inning. Ticara hit an awesome homer. But I just had to reset, and I got some wise words from the coach. I got back out there and did my job.”

And what did she think of Eynon?

“She’s my idol. I’ve always looked up to her, being able to play with her is incredible to me,” she said.

“I have no words. I got so emotional after the game with the adrenaline and how nervous I was. I’m so glad I could get out there and have a great start.”

New South Wales will play either Queensland or Victoria in an Elimination Final tomorrow.

WESTERN AUSTRALIA

Hits (13): Eynon (2), Cornish, Atkinson (2), Haggart (3), Morris (2), Ramsey, Newman (2)
RBI: Eynon (6), Atkinson, Haggart (2), Morris (2), Ramsey (2), Newman (2)
HR: Eynon (2)

NEW SOUTH WALES

Hits (6): Lisa Nakashio, Geldenhuis, O’Sullivan, Heath (2), Cassidy
RBI: Geldenhuis (2), Heath, Green, Erwin, Johnston
HR: Geldenhuis (2)

FINAL 2 | VICTORIA 15 def QUEENSLAND 0 | Abbey McLellan leads dominant Victorian win

Abbey McLellan went 4-for-4 with a homer and 4 RBI to set the pace for another dominant Victorian batting display.

The win propels Victoria to a Qualifying Final on Friday morning vs Western Australia. The winner of that? Plays for Gold.  The loser? Off to the Prelim. Victoria are at the very least guaranteed a medal.

Victoria scored seven in the second innning to surge ahead. Lilly Simpson had a bases clearing double and McLellan barrelled a two-run shot over dead centre to build and 8-0 lead.

On the mound, Narumi Kametani and Brittney Baker combined to allow just three hits and a walk in 5.0 shutout innings.

Miku Saita went 3-for-3 with three runs. in the win. Abbey Kelly, Kira Kuwamoto and Lilly Simpson each had two hits. As a team, Victoria tallied 17 hits.

VICTORIA

Hits (17): Kelly (2),  Kuwamoto (2), Cavanagh, McLellan (4), Dale, Saita (3), Saiki, Bentley, Simpson (2)
RBI: Cavanagh (3), McLellan (4), Dale, Saiki (2), Simpson (3)
HR: McLellan

QUEENSLAND

Hits (3): Hannah Marshall, Jess Sullivan, Mackenzie Rogers

CONSOLATION: SOUTH AUSTRALIA 20 def ROOS 7 – Moore, McMahon, Bholonat and Maslin combine for nine hits in big South Australian win

Sarah McMahon, Carly Moore and Jess Maslin combined for nine hits as the 2-3-4 part of South Australia’s line-up in a runaway win.

But let’s be real, there were contributions from everywhere. Ten different players had hits.

Pria Bholonat went 3-for-4 in a standout day. Gemma Letton, Alice Bown and Peyton Daniels also had two hits.

More and Maslin both drove in three.

South Australia scored four in the first, four in the second and five in the third to build a 13-2 lead.

Hannah Nuske and Amara Quinn pitched for South Australia.

Bronwyn Gell had three hits for the Roos to continue her excellent tournament.

SOUTH AUSTRALIA

Hits (21): Gemma Letton (2), Sarah McMahon (3), Carly Moore (3), Jess Maslin (3), Alice Brown (2), Angela Mourtzious, Peyton Daniels (2), Pria Bholonat (3), Bree Ridding, Sienna Thiele

RBI: Moore (3), McMahon, Maslin (3), Brown (2), Mourtzious, Daniels (2), Thiele

ROOS

Hits (9): Macy Priamo, Maddy Patrick, Reagan O’Rielley, Bronwyn Gell (3), Kira Jansen, Bri Hosie, Felicy Clissold

RBI: Gell (2), O’Rielley, Bree Zavec, Tiff Morris

YOUTH

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VICTORIA 10 def QUEENSLAND 6 – Hannah Wilson-Powell homers as Victoria claim first Pool Play Youth Victory since 2023

Victoria fell behind 4-0 early but proceeded to rip off 10 unanswered runs to win their first Pool Play game since 2023.

Every player in the winning line-up had a hit.

Sienna Fens, Bella Nolan and Anouk Newbury continued their strong tournament for Queensland, each driving in runs in a 4-run first inning.

Victoria tied the game in the second thanks to RBI from Sarah Fielden, Airlie Johansen and Quorra Iavazzo Ridd.

In the bottom of the third, Hannah-Willson Powell hit a go-ahead homer – a solo shot to put Victoria up 5-4. They piled on five more runs to lead 10-4.

Paige Anders was excellent on the mound in the win. She tossed 4.0 innings, allowing five hits and two walks with five strikeouts. All four runs allowed were unearned.

Maddie Haynes earned the save.

Tabitha Pitt and Haynes both had two hits.

Victoria improve to 1-3 while Queensland drop to 1-3. The Victoria win clinches South Australia’s place in the Top 3 Finals.

Attention turns to the New South Wales vs South Australia game. If New South Wales, they are secured a place in the Finals. If New South Wales lose, it goes to a 1-3 record tiebreaker between NSW, Victoria and Queensland.

VICTORIA

Hits (11): Tabitha Pitt, Quorra Iavazzo-Ridd, Ayla McCallum, Hannah Wilson-Powell, Allie Egan, Maddie Haynes (2), Paige Anders, Sarah Fielden
RBI: Ridd, Wilson-Powell, Anders, Fielden, Johansen
HR: Wilson-Powell

QUEENSLAND

Hits (6): Sienna Fens (2), Bella Nollan, Lucy Plumb, Anouk Newbury, Tigi Lien-Jenkins
RBI: Fens, Lien-Jenkins, Nolan, Plumb, Newbury

NEW SOUTH WALES 22 def SOUTH AUSTRALIA 1 | NEW SOUTH WALES MASH THEIR WAY TO THE FINALS

Emma Gainsford and Jemma Pekert homered, as New South Wales evened their record up at 2-2 to secure a top three spot in the finals.

Before today, South Australia had allowed just two runs in the tournament. New South Wales dropped 22.

12 different players drove in a run, while the team gathered 19 hits as a team.

Emma Gainsford went 3-for-3 with a HR, 2 BB and 2 RBI. Jemma Pekert launched a late-game pinch hit homer.

Lily Baxter and Mackenzie Paroz also picked up three hits.

Jessica Rosser tossed 3.0 innings, allowing one run with six strikeouts. Sklah Coyle tossed 1.0 innings, allowing no hits and a walk.

New South Wales will join Western Australia and South Australia in the Top 3 Finals Round Robin tomorrow.

NEW SOUTH WALES

Hits (17): Jessica Rosser, Emma Gainsford (3), Georgia Gately (2), Lucy Glastonbury (2), Jemma Pekert, Lily Baxter (3), Mackenzie Paroz (3), Heba Arifaki, Ashleigh Rose-Thompson

RBI: Rosser, Taylor Stevens, Gainsford (2), Georgia Gately, Adele Acosta, Amelia Mahboub, Lucy Glastonbury, Pekert (3), Baxter (2), Paroz, Arifaki (3), Thompson (2)

SOUTH AUSTRALIA

Hits (2): Sands, Qualmann
RBI: Qualmann

WESTERN AUSTRALIA 10 def SOUTH AUSTRALIA | Golding and Duckworth homer as Western Australia finish Pool Play undefeated

Western Australia benefited from some excelling pitching and batting in their win to finish Pool Play 4-0.

They outscored opponents 53-18 in their four wins.

Lily Duckworth hit her second homer of the tournament in the first, a two-run blast to give WA an early 3-0 lead.

Emerson Padfield expanded the lead to 6-0 in the third with a double.

Jemma Golding hit a two-run shot in the fourth. 8-0.

Sara Scott, Aleigha Auld and Stephanie Dowsett comibed to allow just three hits and seven strikeouts.

Both South Australia and Western Australia advance to the round robin finals where records reset between the three teams. The top two will play for gold.

WESTERN AUSTRALIA

Hits (6): Jemma Golding, Isla Kalebic, Summer Hiscock, Lily Duckworth, Emerson Padfield, Imani Moraweic
RBI: Golding (2), Duckworth (3), Padfield, Moraweic

SOUTH AUSTRALIA

Hits (3): Olivia George, Juno Bromley, Marley Fridd
RBI: Bromley

A NOTE ON AYWC FINALS

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Western Australia, New South Wales and South Australia finish Top 3 after Pool Play and advance to Finals.

They will each play each other on Friday in a mini-round robin. The records reset to 0-0. The top two advance to the Gold Medal Game.  The third place team wins bronze.

Pool Play at the Australian Women’s Championships has come to a close. Each team has played each other once, which grants us a wonderful opportunity to check out the leaders in key categories.

For tournament information, visit the Hub at www.baseball.com.au/womens.

FOLLOW: DAY 5 RECAP AND UPDATES

TEAM STATS

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ERA

Victoria – 1.35
NSW – 6.24
SA – 7.71
QLD – 8.48
WA – 9.95
ROOS – 11.50

AVG

VIC – .418
NSW – .371
WA – .369
SA – .310
QLD – .296
ROOS – .254

FIELDING %

VIC – .950
QLD – .948
WA – .926
NSW – .915
SA – .914
ROOS – .873

PLAYER LEADERS

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HOME RUNS

– Carly Moore (SA), 1
– Aislinn Moriss (WA), 1

HITS
– Lili Cavanagh (VIC), 12
– Chloe Atkinson (WA), 11
– Maddison Heath (NSW), 10
– Jess Maslin (SA), 9
– Aislinn Morris (WA), 8
– Abbey McLellan (VIC), 8
– Rio Bradley (QLD), 8

RBI
– Jamie Bastian (VIC), 11
– Jess Maslin (SA), 11
– Chloe Atkinson (WA), 10
– Aislinn Morris (WA), 9
– Carly Moore (SA), 7
– Isobel Lambert (NSW), 7
– Miku Saita (NSW), 7
– Abbey McLellan (VIC), 7

BB
– Carly Moore (SA), 5
– Kya Foxwell (QLD), 5
– Peyton Newman (WA), 5
– Jamie Bastian (VIC), 5
– Emi Saiki (VIC), 5

SB
– Leah Cornish (WA), 8
– Ryleigh Delacour-Batch (NSW), 6
– Lisa Nakashio (NSW), 6
– Caitlin Eynon (WA), 6
– Jamie Bastian (VIC), 5
– Emi Saiki (VIC), 5

STRIKEOUTS (Pitching)
– Bronwyn Gell (ROOS), 13
– Paula Doherty (VIC), 8
– Mackenzie Jackson (NSW), 7
– Maddison Erwin (NSW), 7
– Ash Patton (VIC), 6
– Ebony Van Eynde (NSW), 6
– Charlotte Stokes (QLD), 6
– Hannah Wilson (QLD), 6

ERA (min 4.0 IP)
– Mackenzie Jackson (NSW), 0.00 in 4.0 IP
– Narumi Kametani (VIC), 0.00 in 4.0IP
– Ash Patton (VIC), 0.00 in 4.0IP
– Paula Doherty (VIC), 0.00 in 4.0IP
– Emi Saiki (VIC), 1.40 in 5.0IP
– Allie Bebbere (VIC), 1.50 in 4.2IP
– Jess Johnson (VIC), 1.50 in 4.2IP
– Ebony Van Eynde (NSW), 1.50 in 4.2IP
– Hannah Wilson (QLD), 1.65 in 8.2IP

The best day we’ve had (so far) is in the books.

Entering the last day of Pool Play at the AWC, Queensland, South Australia and Western Australia were had “win and in” scenarios for the final two playoff spots.

Meanwhile, the Youth Women continued with Day 2. We saw a walk-off, a grand slam and a bunch of homers. We even saw a team clinch a playoff spot.

It was also NO MORE DAY, as the teams linked up to make a stand against Domestic and Family Violence.

Read this page with results and recaps, and tomorrow’s AWC Finals schedule. For full information visit our tournament hub.

TOURNAMENT HUB: www.baseball.com.au/womens2026/

DAY 4 SCHEDULE | APRIL 15

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Watch Day 4 Women’s games live and free on Baseball+ on the App or web platform: plus.baseball.com.au. Youth Games will be streamed with one-camera feed on GameChanger.

WOMEN’S
– Roos 7 def New South Wales 6
– Western Australia 16 def South Australia 11
– Victoria 5 def Queensland 4

YOUTH WOMEN’S
– Western Australia 7 def New South Wales 4
– South Australia 10 def Victoria 1
– Queensland 8 def New South Wales 7

– Full schedule available here.
– Women’s Live Scoring and Stream available here through GameChanger
– Youth Women’s Live Scoring available here through GameChanger

CURRENT STANDINGS

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WOMEN’S

Top four make finals.
*clinched spot in Finals

1. Victoria 5-0*
2. New South Wales 3-2*
3. Western Australia 3-2*
4. Queensland 1-3-1*
—
5. South Australia 1-3-1
6. Roos 1-4

YOUTH WOMEN’S 

1. Western Australia 3-0*
2. South Australia 2-0
3. Queensland 1-2
4. New South Wales 1-2
5. Victoria 0-3

HOW AWC FINALS WORK

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– Top Four Make Finals, then double elimination format

Thursday 16 April
– GAME 1: #2 New South Wales vs #3 Western Australia, 11:45AM
– GAME 2: #1 Victoria vs #4 Queensland, 2:30PM

Friday 17 April
– QUALIFYING FINAL: Winner Game 1 vs Winner Game 2
– ELIMINATION FINAL: Loser Game 1 vs Loser Game 2
– PRELIMINARY FINAL: Winner Elimination Finals vs Loser Qualifying Final

Saturday 18 April
– GOLD MEDAL: Winner Qualifying Final vs Loser Preliminary Final Final

RECAPS

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WOMEN’S CHAMPIONSHIPS

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ROOS 7 def NEW SOUTH WALES 6 | Roos storm back from six runs down to walk off defending champions

The Roos have picked up their first win in the most dramatic of fashion.

After conceeding six runs in the top of the fifth inning to defending champion New South Wales, it looked like the Roos would fall just short of a first win.

They responded with five runs in the bottom of the fifth.

Mariam Arifaki tossed a 1-2-3 relief inning in the sixth, allowing the Roos to have a chance to win the game.

Maddy Patrick delivered a game tying single on her third base knock of the game. Then, with two outs, Arifaki drilled a double to right field to score the winning run.

Roos win.

The game started as a pitcher’s duel. Reagan O’Reilley fired off three shutout innings for the Roos in her first ever AWC start.

MacKenzie Jackson threw 4.0 shutout innings, allowing just two hits and two walks with seven strikeouts in a wonderful effort for New South Wales.

The game was scoreless after four.

Maddi Patrick led all batters with three hits for the Roos. Ryleigh Delacour-Batch, Ebony Van Eynde and Tamyrn Love each had two hits for New South Wales.

ROOS

Hits (6): Patrick (3), Arifaki, B. Gell, K. Rutgers
RBI: Patrick (2), Arifaki, Clissord, Hosie, Gell

NEW SOUTH WALES

Hits (8): M. Erwin, Delacour-Batch (2), Van Eynde (2), Green, Love (2)
RBI: Karn, Love, Van Eyne, Delacour-Batch

WESTERN AUSTRALIA 16 def SOUTH AUSTRALIA 11| Western Australia clinch finals spot with offensive onslaught 

Elodie O’Sullivan, Chloe Atkinson and Aislinn Morris each recorded three hits as Western Australia piled it on in a 16-11 victory to defeat South Australia.

The win – a third in a row – improves their record to 3-2, and locks up third spot entering tomorrow’s finals.

Gemma Letton’s RBI-double in the second inning put South Australia up 3-1 early.

Then, Western Australia’s bats took over as soon as they turned the line-up over for a second time through vs Alice Brown.

They scored six runs in the fourth inning off six hits. Elodie O’Sullivan had a double, Caitlin Eynon bagged a triple, Leah Cornish singled, and Chloe Atkinson doubled in the big inning.

Carly Moore tried to push South Australia back in it with a no-doubt two-run homer.

But Western Australia put the game beyond doubt with a seven-run fifth, highlighted by a Meaghan Haggart double, Aislinn Morris single, and Elodie O’Sullivan RBI line-drive single.

For South Australia, Jess Maslin led the offense with a 3-for-5 effort with 4 RBI. Gemma Letton, Sarah McMahon, Carly Moore and Peyton Daniels also had two hits.

Ava Tyson gave up three unearned runs in her 2.0 innings of work. In fact, only 3 of Western Australia’s 11 runs conceeded were earned. Haggart, Miane van Splunder and Briah Burke also took the hill.

“We know we can hit, so we were trying to get pitches we can drive,” said O’Sullivan after the game.

Alice Brown started for South Australia, followed by Indie O’Hazy Zschorn, Peyton Daniels and Sienna Thiele.

South Australia now must hope Queensland lose and allow 10+ runs vs Victoria to advance to the medal rounds.

WESTERN AUSTRALIA

Hits (15): Elodie O’Sullivan (3), Caitlin Eynon (2), Leah Cornish (2), Chloe Atkinson (3), Meaghan Haggart (2), Aislinn Morris (3)

RBI: O’Sullivan (2), Eynon (2), Leah Cornish (2), Atkinson (3), Haggart (2), Morris, Newman, White

SOUTH AUSTRALIA

Hits (15): Gemma Letton, (2), Sarah McMahon (2), Carly Moore (2), Jess Maslin (3), Peyton Daniels (2), Georgia Davis, Dakota Ding, Amara Quinn, Isabella Hacker

RBI: Letton (2), McMahon (3), Moore (2), Maslin (4)

VICTORIA 5 def QUEENSLAND 4: Victoria win game, but Hannah Wilson leads Queensland to finals

The formula for Queensland was simple to make the finals in their last game vs Victoria.

A) Win

Or

B) Lose, but don’t allow more than nine

How nervous must they have been when they went down 4-0 after two?

Tournament on the line. Who do you call?

Enter Hannah Wilson.

The relief pitcher fired off a stone cold 4.0 innings, allowing just one run against a Victorian team who had been giving the scoreboard a work out all week.

They had scored 57 times in 4 games.

It allowed Queensland to mount a charge back, tying the game at four in the fifth.

Victoria finally scored a run in the sixth to take a 5-4 lead, the game’s final score.

But the job was done, large in part to Wilson’s efforts on the mound.

“I love that kid. She isn’t phased by anything,” said head coach Lisa Norrie. “She’s so calm, she’s so relaxed, throws strike and get it done. That was awesome.”

Wilson’s final line: 4.0 IP, 4 H, 1 ER, 0 BB, 2 SO.

It builds off a 4.2 inning effort with one run earlier in the week.

“My mindset is go up there and throw the ball,” said Wilson. “I’m not bothered by much of anything really, I was just trying to go out there and have fun and try my best.”

Her best has got Queensland in the finals. They play Victoria tomorrow at 2:30PM.

On the Victorian side, Lily Cavanah was tremendous. She went 4-for-4 with an RBI. Jess Johnson turned in a nice start on the mound, tossing 3.2 innings, allowing four hits with just one earned run.

Allie Beberre pitched 1.2 of scoreless ball, including escaping a bases loaded jam

QUEENSLAND

Hits (7): Rio Bradley (2), Molly Paddison (2), Hannah Marshall, Jess Sullivan, Mackenzie Rogers
RBI: Hannah Wilson, Kya Foxwell

VICTORIA

Hits (10): Lili Cavanagh (4), Narumi Kametani (2), Abbey Kelly, Miku Saita, Lilly Simpson (2)

YOUTH WOMEN’S CHAMPIONSHIPS

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WESTERN AUSTRALIA 7 def NEW SOUTH WALES 4 | Western Australia lock up finals spot with comeback win, highlighted by homers

Two more homers in a Youth game!

Sara Scott launcehd a solo shot as Western Australia came back from 4-2 to improve to 3-0 and secure a top three spot in the Youth Women’s Championships.

Mackenzie Paroz homered for New South Wales.

New South Wales started off on the front foot. Emma Gainsford threw 2.2 innings, allowing one unearned run with no hits and five strikeouts.

It allowed New South Wales to take a 2-0 lead, thanks to a Taylor Stevens RBI single.

Western Australia tied the game in the third thanks to a single from Isla Kalebic and ground out by Summer Hiscock.

A single from Jessica Rosser gave NSW a 4-2 in the fourth.

In the bottom of the fifth, Western Australia took the lead with a three run digs. Sara Scott homered, Hiscock had an RBI single and Jaimie Vlasic doubled in the go-ahead run.

They added two more in the sixth.

Jemma Golding threw 2.0 innings, allowing one run, in her start. Stevie Oats earned the save.

WESTERN AUSTRALIA

Hits (7): Jamie Vlasic (2), Stevie Oats, Sara Scott, Stewart, Isla Kalebic, Summer Hiscock
RBI: Kalebic, Hiscock, Vlasic, Scott

NEW SOUTH WALES

Hits (6): Jessica Rosser (2), Taylor Stevens, Amelia Mahboub, Lily Baxter, Mackenzie Paroz
RBI: Rosser (2), Stevens, Paroz

SOUTH AUSTRALIA 10 def VICTORIA 1 | Pitching prominent again as South Australia improve to 2-0

Kylah Ding tossed 3.1 innings, allowing 2 hits, one run and one walk with five strikeouts in another convincing pitching performance. Bella Qualmann, the youngest member of the squad, closed it out with two outs.

It comes after South Australia defeated Queensland 17-1 yesterday. South Australia have outscored opponents 27-2 through two games.

South Australia scored four in each of the first two innings. Marley Fridd had the decisive moment with a two-RBI single. A walk by Fridd and Kaia Weeks help extend their lead in the second.

South Australia are sitting pretty at 2-0 while Victoria drop to 0-3.

SOUTH AUSTRALIA

Hits (5): Isla Scott, Marley Fridd, Kaia Weeks, Makenzie Wigmore, Cara Skyes
RBI: Weeks (2), Fridd, Scott

VICTORIA

Hits (2): Tabitha Pitt, Hope Ellis

QUEENSLAND 8 def NEW SOUTH WALES 7 | Newbury hits grand slam, Queensland walk-off New South Wales

Anouk Newbury hit a grand slam, Kayla Sparks delivered a walk-off hit as Queensland survived a late New South Wales charge.

Queensland raced out to a 7-2 lead in the third when Anouk Newbury hit a Grand Slam. Kayla Sparks also hit a homer in the big inning.

But New South Wales charged back in the fifth. They scored five runs to tie the game at seven. Lucy Glastobury went deep with a homer, Lily Baxter doubled and Taylor Stevens cashed in a pair.

Kayla Sparks continued her huge day with a walk-off single in the last.

Sparks finished with a 3-for-3 line with a homer and 3 RBI. Newbury had 4 RBI.

Jess Rosser, Emma Gainsford and Lucy Glastonbury each had two hits for New South Wales. Glastonbury had a homer and 3 RBI.

QUEENSLAND

Hits (8): Kayla Sparks (3), Sienna Fens, Tehya Lewis, Lucy Plumb, Anouk Newbury, Amelia Stephens
RBI: Sparks (3), Newbury (7), Imogine Masters
HR: Sparks, Newbury

NEW SOUTH WALES

Hits (9): Jess Rosser (2), Emma Gainsford (2), Lucy Glastonbury (2), Mackenzie Paroz, Charly Le Grice, Lily Baxter

RBI: Glastobury (3), Gainsford

The Youth are underway and the Women’s are reaching the end of the Group Stage.

Read about how the day unfolded below. Can you believe there were six homers across the day?

Two teams clinched in Women’s, while three teams were off to flying starts in the Youth.

For full information visit our tournament hub.

TOURNAMENT HUB: www.baseball.com.au/womens2026/

DAY 3 SCHEDULE | APRIL 14

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Watch Day 3 Youth games live and free on Baseball+ on the App or web platform: plus.baseball.com.au.

Women’s Games will be streamed with one-camera feed on GameChanger.

WOMEN’S
– South Australia 12 def Roos 6
– New South Wales 7 def South Australia 4
– Victoria 13 def Roos 0
– Western Australia 11 def Queensland 3

YOUTH WOMEN’S
– Western Australia 25 def Victoria 8
– New South Wales 8 def Victoria 3
– Western Australia 11 def Queensland 6
– South Australia 17 def Queensland 1

– Full schedule available here.
– Women’s Live Scoring and Stream available here through GameChanger
– Youth Women’s Live Scoring available here through GameChanger

CURRENT STANDINGS

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WOMEN’S

Top four make finals.
*clinched spot in Finals

1. Victoria 4-0*
2. New South Wales 3-1*
3. Western Australia 2-2
4. Queensland 1-2-1
4. South Australia 1-2-1
6. Roos 0-4

YOUTH WOMEN’S 

1. Western Australia 2-0
2. New South Wales 1-0
2. South Australia 1-0
4. Queensland 0-2
4. Victoria 0-2

RECAPS

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WOMEN’S CHAMPIONSHIPS

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South Australia 12 def Roos 6 | South Australia storm back with 12 unanswered runs to keep finals hopes alives

South Australia’s hopes for finals were nearly foiled.

Trailing 4-0 in the fifth inning, South Australia ripped off 12 unanswered runs to power their way back to a critical victory. The win improves South Australia to a 1-1-1 record, setting up at the very least a “win and in” game vs Western Australia on Wednesday afternoon.

The Roos’ Brownwyn Gell was the early story of this one. On the mound, she fired off 4.2 innings, allowing just two runs off nine hits with six strikeouts. She also pitcked up three hits with an RBI.

Macy Priamo and Reagan O’Reilly also delivered three hits for the Roos, helping the composite side build a 4-0 lead.

For South Australia, Gemma Letton and Jess Maslin recorded three hits. Maslin and Carly Moore each had three RBI. They were all key in a seven-run sixth inning that turned the game on its head.

Overall, South Australia combined for 14 hits.

Angela Mourtzious started for South Australia, allowing four runs off 11 hits in 5.0 innings. Indie O’Hazy Tschorn struck out four batters in 1.1 innings, allowing two runs. Maxine Saunders recoreded the final two outs.

SOUTH AUSTRALIA

Hits (14): Gemma Letton (3), Jess Maslin (3), Carly Moore (2), Elisa Gooley, Peyton Daniels, Amara Quinn, Dakota Ding (2), Bree Ridding

RBI: Moore (3), Maslin (3), Daniels (2), McMahon, Letton, Gooley

ROOS

Hits (13): Bronwyn Gell (3), Macy Priamo (3), Reagan O’Rielley (3), Bree Zavec (2), Lily Dal-Corrabo, Emma Sullivan
RBI: Gell, Priamo (2), O’Rielly (2), Lily Dal-Corrobo

NEW SOUTH WALES 7 def SOUTH AUSTRALIA 4 | New South Wales book ticket to Finals with 18-hit performance

New South Wales peppered the base paths in a finals-clinching win on Tuesday afternoon.

The Blues combined for 18 hits in the win. Sayaka Mori, Maddi Heath and Isobel Lambert all had three hits. Lisa Nakashio, Claire O’Sullivan, Ryleigh Delacour-Batch and Ivy White each delivered a pair of hits each.

Lambert singled in the first run in the opening inning. Lambert, Cayla Johnston and Delacour-Batch combined to drive in three runs in the third to push New South Wales to a 4-0 advantage.

South Australia cut the deficit to 4-2 thanks to a Jess Maslin single in the third.

But New South Wales bounced back by scoring the next two runs, adding valuable insurance.

Olivia Bonello allowed two runs in 4.0 innings of work for New South Wales. Kara Cassidy allowed two runs in 2.0 innings of relief. Maddi Erwin tossed 1.0 innings to earn the save with three strikeouts and no runs allowed.

Jess Maslin led South Australia with two hits and 2 RBI. Georgia Davis tossed 5.0 innings, allowing 15 hits and six runs with no walks.

New South Wales improve to 3-1, securing a spot in the Top Four. South Australia drop to 1-2-1, and face a huge game vs Western Australia (1-2) tomorrow afternoon. They must win to advance to the top four.

NEW SOUTH WALES

Hits (18): Sayaka Mori (3), Maddi Heath (3), Isobel Lambert (3), Lisa Nakashio (2), Claire O’Sullivan (2), Ryleigh Delacour-Batch (2), Ivy White (2), Cayla Johnston

RBI: Lambert (2), Heath, Johnston, Delacour-Batch, Ivy White (2)

SOUTH AUSTRALIA

Hits (7): Jess Maslin (2), Gemma Letton, Carly Moore, Peyton Daniels, Alice Brown, Indie O’Hazy Zschorn
RBI: O’Hazy Zshorn, Gooley, Maslin (2)

Victoria 13 def Roos 0 | Victoria score every inning to official secure Finals Spot 

Another day, another big Victoria win.

Eight players combined for 11 hits in the latest chapter of Victoria’s tournament. Victoria have secured top spot with a perfect 4-0 record and by outscoring opponents 57-7.

Paula Doherty and Ash Patton were excellent on the mound. They each tossed 3.0 shutout innings with one hit conceeded. Doherty struck out five, Patton struck out six.

Abbey McLellan led the attack with the bats. She had three hits and three RBI. Kira Kuwamoto and Lilly Simpson also had two hits.

Victoria scored one in the first, three in the second, one in the fourth, one in the fifth, five in the sixth or two in the sixth.

VICTORIA

Hits (11): Kira Kuwamoto (2), Lili Cavanagh, Abbey McLellan (3), Allie Bebbere, Ruby Dale, Jess Johnson, Lilly Simpson (2)

RBI: Emi Saiki, Jamie Bastian (3), Abbey McLellan (3), Allie Bebbere (2), Ruby Dale, Jasmine Bentley

ROOS

Hits (2): Bronwyn Gell, Mariam Arafaki

WESTERN AUSTRALIA 11 def QUEENSLAND 3 | Aislinn Morris homers, drives in 5, as WA inch closer to finals

Western Australia have bounced back from an 0-2 start by defeating Queensland 11-3.

Aislinn Morris led the way, going 3-for-4 with 5 RBI. Her two-run homer in the fifth inning pushed a WA advantage to 8-3 and helped them sail into the sunset.

The win comes 24 hours after a big 18-0 win over the Roos on Monday.

Western Australia can now clinch a finals spot on Wednesday with either:
A) A win over South Australia; OR
B) A Queensland loss to Victoria

Chloe Atkinson doubled in a couple runs in the first inning, before Morris pushed the advantage to 3-0 moments later with an RBI single.

WA added to their lead in the bottom of the third thanks to a Meaghan Haggart single and Morris double. 5-1.

Queensland cut into the lead in the fifth, scoring a pair of runs off a Charlotte Stokes double and Jess Sullivan single.

Then, Morris launched her two-run shot.

“I’m feeling awesome,” said Morris. “This team is special. I haven’t been around baseball for a while. My last nationals was 2018. I came here to have fun and this helps. I had no idea that was a bomb, I ran to second and everything went silent and then yeah – it felt really, really good.”

WA added three more in the sixth to end the game in a run rule. Atkinson doubled in one of the run, her second RBI of the day.

Bella Clarke opened with 2.0 innings, allowing one run. Madison Lines allowed two runs in 3.0 innings. Leah Cornish tossed a perfect sixth with two strikeouts.

Queensland used four pitchers (Jess Sullivan, Lila Hall,  Molly Donald and Jess Mitchell) in the loss.

Queensland can clinch a spot in the finals with a win vs Victoria. There are other tiebreakers at play. More on that tomorrow.

WESTERN AUSTRALIA

Hits (9): Elodie O’Sullivan (2), Chloe Atkinson (2), Meaghan Haggart, Aislinn Morris (3), Madison White
RBI: Atkinson (2), Haggart, Morris (5)
HR: Morris

QUEENSLAND

Hits (6): Charlotte Stokes (2), Hannah Marshall, Molly Paddison, Rio Bradley, Jess Sullivan

YOUTH WOMEN’S CHAMPIONSHIPS

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WESTERN AUSTRALIA 25 def VICTORIA 8 | Golding Grand Slam, Duckworth’s four hits, helps power Western Australia to convincing win

I don’t know much but I do know one thing: This WA team can hit.

Lily Duckworth led a wild hitting effort, going 4-for-4 with 5 RBI in a big Western Australia win. Jemma Golding also flexed her muscles with a three-hit effort including a Grand Slam.

Overall, Western Australia tallied 16 hits and drew 11 walks in a resounding opening game win.

You can have a look at all the top class hitters in the stats below.

Ayla McCallum hit two homers for Victoria. She also threw a runner out trying to steal second. McCallum finished with four RBI

Quorra Iavazzo-Ridd also went deep and finished the day with 2 hits and 3 RBI.

WESTERN AUSTRALIA

HITS: Jemma Golding (3), Sarah Scott (2), Summer Hiscock, Lily Duckworth (4), Jamie Vlasic (2), Aleigha Auld, Emerson Padfield, Isla Kalebic, Stevie Oates

HR: Golding

RBI: Golding (5), Scott, Hiscock (2), Duckworth (5), Vlasic, Auld (3), Kalebic, Oats, Seiler

VICTORIA

Hits (7): Ayla McCallum (2), Quorra Iavazzo-Ridd (2), Allie Egan, Maddie Haynes, Airlie Johansen
RBI: McCallum (4), Iavazzo-Ridd (3)
HR: McCallum (2)

NEW SOUTH WALES 8 def VICTORIA 3 | Gainsford homers, New South Wales relievers dazzle in tournament opening win

New South Wales scored six runs in the first inning, Emma Gainsford added to the total with a solo shot in the second, and the bullpen shut the game down in a composed 8-3 victory.

Let’s start in the first inning. Amelia Mahboub, Taylor Stevens and Heba Arifaki delivered key RBI in a six run opener.

Georgia Gately helped limit the damage with a key line-drive double play.

Emma Gainsford went deep to expand the lead to 7-2 in the second.

The combination of Ashleigh-Rose Thompson and Maddison Forbes were impressive in relief for the Blues. Thompson struck out three, allowing two hits, no earned runs and no walks.

Maddison Forbes threw 1.2 innings with 2 hits, one walk, no runs, and 3 strikeouts.

Paige Anders struck out four in relief for Victoria in her 2.1 innings. Maddie Haynes struck out three in 1.0 shutout innings.

NEW SOUTH WALES

Hits (6): Emma Gainsford, Amelia Mahboub, Heba Arifaki, Taylor Stevens (2), Lucy Glastonbury
RBI (7): Gainsford, Baxter, Mahboub (2), Arifaki, Stevens, Glastobury
HR: Gainsford

VICTORIA

Hits (4): Boyle, Wilson-Powell, Mills, Haynes
RBI: Wilson-Powell

WESTERN AUSTRALIA 11 def QUEENSLAND 6 | Duckworth homers, Western Australia start 2-0

Lily Duckworth is off to a heck of a start at the Youth Women’s Championships. Straight after a game where she went 4-for-4 with 5 RBI, Duckworth went 2-for-2 with a homer and 3 RBI in Western Australia’s second straight win.

They’ve scored 36 runs in two games.

Duckworth’s three-run shot put WA up 3-1 in the first inning.

From there, it was back-and-forth.

Queensland tied it thanks to a single from Hannah Fior and a double from Bella Nolan.

Western Australia hit the front in the second with RBIs from Sara Scott and Jemma Golding.

Queensland tied it again thanks to hits from Kayla Sparks and Amelia Stephens. 5-5 going into the third.

Western Australia pulled away for good with a five run fourth off of two hits.

Jemma Golding allowed one run in 1.2 innings for Western Australia. Summer Hiscock had 0.2 innings of shutout ball.

For Queensland, Isla Mullavey’s shutout inning stoodout. Hannah Fior led the team with two hits.

Golding, Duckworth, Scott and Jamie Vlasic all had two hits.

WESTERN AUSTRALIA

Hits (11): Jemma Golding (2), Sara Scott (2), Lily Duckworth (2), Jamie Vlasic (2), Millar Butler, Stevie Oates, Elizabeth Stewart

RBI: Duckworth (3), Golding, Scott, Vlasic, Aleigha Auld, Butler, Stewart

HR: Duckworth

QUEENSLAND

Hits (8): Bella Nolan, Lucy Plumb, Tehya Lewis, Kayla Sparks, Amelia Stephens, Anook Newbury, Hannah Fior (2)
RBI: Nolan, Lewis (2), Sparks, Stephens, Fior

South Australia 17 def Queensland 1 | New look South Australia start title defense with large victory

South Australia may only have three players returning from last year’s Gold Medal winning side, but that didn’t stop them from a runaway Day 1 victory.

It started with Lillian Sterry, a return player, on the mound. She fired off 2.0 shutout winnings, allowing no hits, with three walks and five strikeouts. Olivia George allowed just one run off three hits and no walks in her 2.0 relief innings, all while striking out four.

The bats were patient and impactful. South Australia combined for nine hits and 14 walks. They scored seven in the second and seven in the fourth.

Makenzie Wigmore went 2-for-3 with 2 RBI and a walk in her nationals debut. Isla Scott delivered three RBI. Evie Jennings walked three times at the top of the line-up. George also had two hits.

In fact, nine South Australians reached base at least once.

“What I loved was the girls went all the way through the line up. The hype was high today, they had a lot of fun and really got around each other. It’s a great start for a brand new team,” said head coach Julie Wadham.

Lillian Sterry felt the energy too.

“I was feeling confident today. I had a lot of great players behind me and the bench was really loud. It was good,” she said.

Isla Mullavey had an RBI single for Queensland in the fourth.

SOUTH AUSTRALIA

Hits (9): Olivia Georgie (2), Makenzie Wigmore (2), Isla Scott, Lillian Sterry, Grace Thompson, Marley Fridd
RBI: Evie Jennings, Scott (3), Sterry (2), Thompson (2), Wigmore (2), Juno Bromley, Brooke McKechnie

QUEENSLAND

Hits (3): Sienna Fens, Tigi Lien-Jenkins, Isla Mullavey
RBI: Mullavey

The 2026 Australian Women’s Championships begins today in Melbourne with four games on deck.

We’ll update this page with results and recaps. For full information visit our tournament hub.

TOURNAMENT HUB: www.baseball.com.au/womens2026/

DAY 2 SCHEDULE | APRIL 13

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Watch Day 2 games live and free on Baseball+ on the App or web platform: plus.baseball.com.au

– Queensland 6 TIE South Australia 6
– New South Wales 17 def Queensland 14
– Western Australia 18 def Roos 0
– Victoria 12 def New South Wales 3

– Full schedule available here.
– Live Scoring available here through GameChanger.

CURRENT STANDINGS

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1. Victoria 3-0
2. New South Wales 2-1
3. Queensland 1-0-1
4. Western Australia 1-2
5. South Australia 0-1-1
6. Roos 0-2

RECAPS

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QUEENSLAND 6 draw SOUTH AUSTRALIA 6 | Dramatic final innings results in draw for South Australia and Queensland 

In a game with potentially huge finals implications, there was no victor.

Nobody lost either.

Trailing 3-1 entering the final inning, South Australia scored five to take a 6-3 lead and move three outs away from a sensational win.

But Queensland responded with three runs of their own to tie the game. They even had bases loaded with two outs in the bottom of the last. However, Hannah Nuske struck out Kirah Maloney to end the game.

Before that, it was pitcher’s dual.

16-year-old South Australian starter Alice Brown fired off 3.0 shutout innings in her much anticipated AWC debut, allowing one hit, one walk and two strikeouts.

Queensland’s Hannah Wilson was equally excellent. She threw 4.2 innings, allowing two hits, two walks and one run while commanding the strike zone.

Jess Maslin doubled in a run in the first inning to give South Australia a 1-0 lead. Queensland scored three in the fifth to take a 3-1 advantage, powered by powered by key RBIs from Hannah Marshall and Rio Bradley.

South Australia’s five run seventh was generated by hits from Indie O’Hazy Zshorn and Gemma Letton, and walks from Elisa Gooley, Hannah Nuske, Sarah McMahon and Carly Moore.

Queensland scored their three tying runs off a single and five walks / free bases. Rio Bradley had another decisive base knock.

South Australia improves to 0-1-1. Queensland are 1-0-1. That draw may cause havoc in potential tiebreakers late in the game.

SOUTH AUSTRALIA

Hits (5): Gemma Letton, Carly Moore, Jess Maslin, Elisa Gooley, Dakota Ding
RBI: Maslin (2), Moore, Letton, Quinn

QUEENSLAND

Hits (4): Rio Bradley (2), Hannah Marshall, Ruby Orchard
RBI: Bradley (2), Stokes, Marshall, Ruzicka

NEW SOUTH WALES 17 def QUEENSLAND 14 | Claire O’Sullivan helps New South Wales build big lead before late game flood of runs

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Claire O’Sullivan did Claire O’Sullivan things.

The reigning MVP went 2-for-4 with 3 RBI at the plate, while taking a no-hitter deep into the fourth, during New South Wales’ second victory.

O’Sullivan finished with a pitching line that reads 4.0 innings, 1 hit, 1 walk and four strikeouts.

While Claire was pitching, New South Wales were driving in runs a plenty. They scored the first 11 runs of the game, highlighted by a seven run fourth inning.

Queensland responded with six runs in the bottom of the fifth to start a mini-charge. New South Wales added three in the sixth and seventh to build up a commanding 17-7 lead entering the bottom of the last. Queensland rounded out the scoring with seven runs.

With a scoreline of this nature, you would expect some big statistical performances. So, let’s rip through them.

Lisa Nakashio, Ticara Geldenhuis, Claire O’Sullivan and Maddi Heath all had two hit performances. Nakashio drove in four. O’Sullivan and Geldenhuis drove in three.

Geldenhuis was also busy, reaching base four times. Sayaki Mori stole three bases.

Maddi Heath took a 10 star catch in foul territory in the field.

For Queensland,  Mackenzie Rogers, Charlotte Stokes, Jess Sullivan and Grace White all had two hits. Rogers and Stokes led the team with 3 RBI.

Amelia Wright threw 3.0 innings, allowing just one earned run for Queensland.

New South Wales improve to 2-0 ahead of tonights clash of the undefeated teams vs Victoria tonight. Queensland drop to 1-1-1.

NEW SOUTH WALES

Hits (12): Lisa Nakashio (2), Ticara Geldenhuis (2), Claire O’Sullivan (2), Maddi Heath (2), Isobel Lambert, Cayla Johnston, Kara Cassidy
RBI: Lisa Nakashio (4), Geldenhuis (3), O’Sullivan (3), Heath (2), Green, Johnston, Cassidy, M. Karn

QUEENSLAND

Hits (10): M. Rogers (2), Charlotte Stokes (2), Jess Sullivan (2), Grace White (2), Hannah Elliot, Molly Paddison
RBI (14): Rogers (3), Stokes (3), Elliot (2), Sullivan (2), Hall (2), Donald, White

WESTERN AUSTRALIA 18 def ROOS 0 | Middle of the line-up goes crazy, while Tyson and George dominate on mound

Caitlin Eynon, Leah Cornish, and Chloe Atkinson each collected three hits as the 2-3-4 part of the line-up combined 11 runs scored during Western Australia’s first win of the tournament.

Atkinson had two doubles and 3 RBI. Peyton Newman also collected two hits. Bianca Ramsey had 3 RBI.

While Western Australia scored 18, they only needed one. Ava Tyson and Makayla George combined to allow just two hits and three walks in 5.0 innings of shutout work.

“Pitching wise my focus was to get up there and throw strikes and have complete trust in our fielders to back us up and they did that today,” said Ava Tyson after the game.

Makayla George said the team were re-focused after at tough 0-2 start on Day 2.

“We looked at it and we said ‘we can bounce back and change this tournament to how we want it to be.’ We just went and had fun, we play our best when we are having fun. There was a lot of chatter in the dugout today, it was really good,” she said.

Western Australia is now 1-2, while the Roos fall to 0-2.

WESTERN AUSTRALIA

Hits (14): Caitlin Eynon (3), Leah Cornish (3), Chloe Atkinson (3), Meghan Haggart, Aislinn Morris, Bianca Ramsey, Peyton Newman (2)
RBI: Grace Spano, Eynon, Chloe Atkinson (3), Haggart, Morris (2), Ramsey (3), Newman (2), Maddison White (2)

ROOS

Hits (2): Kendra Rutgers, Lily Dal-Corrabo

VICTORIA 12 def NEW SOUTH WALES 3 | Total team effort sees Victoria roll on to win over rival

Victoria stamped their authority on the game with 15 hits in a convincing win over their biggest rivals, avenging a Gold Medal defeat from 2025.

Lili Cavanagh led the charge with a four hit performance. She added a walk to reach base a total of five times.

Jamie Bastian went 2-for-4 with 3 RBI and a walk. Kira Kuwamoto, Ruby Dale and Narumi Kametani also had a pair of base hits.

“We’ve been doing this for ages now. It was a full team effort,” said Dale after the game. “New South Wales every year are strong competition but we’re all really united and a team and we bond really well. [The approach] was hit, hit, hit, and if you didn’t you knew the next person would.”

Emi Saiki threw 5.0 innings in a tremendous start, allowing just three hits and two runs (one earned) with two strikeouts. She didn’t walk a batter.

Brittney Baker allowed one run off two hits and two walks.

Victoria built an early 7-0 lead large in part to a five run second on great hitting of NSW pitcher Isobel Lambert. Abbey Kelly had a double that helped clear the bases, Kuwamoto doubled and Saita cashed in a run.

In total, Victoria tallied 15 hits to improve to 3-0 on the tournament and all but secure a place in the finals.

Maddi Heath had three of New South Wales’ five hits.

VICTORIA

Hits (15): Lili Cavanagh (4), Kira Kuwamoto (2), Jamie Bastian (2), Ruby Dale (2), Paula Doherty, Miku Saita, Narumi Kametani, Abbey Kelly

RBI: Kelly (2), Cavanagh, Bastian (3), Saita, Bentley, Kametani

NSW

Hits (5): Maddi Heath (3), Isobel Lambert, Bree Green
RBI: Heath, Green, Cayla Johnston

The 2026 Australian Women’s Championships begins today in Melbourne with four games on deck.

We’ll update this page with results and recaps. For full information visit our tournament hub.

TOURNAMENT HUB: www.baseball.com.au/womens2026/

DAY 1 SCHEDULE | APRIL 12 |

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Watch Day 1 games live and free on Baseball+ on the App or web platform: plus.baseball.com.au

– Queensland 11 def Roos 3
– Victoria 22 def Western Australia 3
– Victoria 10 def South Australia 1
– New South Wales 12 def Western Australia 3

– Full schedule available here.
– Live Scoring available here through GameChanger.

CURRENT STANDINGS

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1. Victoria 2-0
2. Queensland 1-0
2. New South Wales 1-0
4. Roos 0-1
4. South Australia 0-1
6. Western Australia 0-2

RECAPS

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QUEENSLAND 11 def ROOS 3 | Relentless Queenslanders pull away late to win

Rio Bradley led a dominant team batting display from Queensland in an 11-3 run-rule win.

Bradley reached base four times, going 3-for-4, with three RBI, 2 stolen bases and three runs in her first taste of nationals since 2024. She also caught three young arms – Charlotte Stokes, Hannah Elliot and Lila Hall.

Queensland tallied 13 hits as a team, scoring in all but one inning. Molly Paddison had three hits while, Jess Sullivan and Mackenzie Rogers also had a pair of hits.

All nine players reached base at least once. You can view the hits below.

They survived an early scare from the Roos. The composite team left 11 runners on base in the first four innings – including bases loaded twice – as Queensland held their nerve.

They were helped by a steady relief performance from Lila Hall, who fired off 3.1 innings with five hits, two runs and a strikeout. She (below) entered the game with bases loaded, two-outs, and a 3-1 lead. She promptly struck out a batter and rolled on from there.

“She did so well,” said Bradley after the game. “She doesn’t pitch much in club ball but she came out with a lot of energy and was ready to go. It was great catching her.”

Bradley helped put the game away with a two-out RBI single that scored a pair in the fourth. It pushed the scoreline to 6-2. Bradley and Paddison combined for back-to-back triples in a three run sixth.

Bronwyn Gell had two hits for the Roos, while pitching 4.0 inning with seven hits and five earned runs with seven strikeouts.

ROOS

Hits (6): Bronwyn Gell (2), Emma Sullivan, Reagan O’Rielley, Macy Priamo, Mackenzie Prentice-Evans
RBI: Bri Hosie, Gell, O’Rielley

QLD

Hits (13): Molly Paddison (3), Rio Bradley (3), Charlotte Stokes (2), Jess Sullivan (2), Mackenzie Rogers (2), Charlotte Stokes, Hannah Marshall, Kirah Maloney

VICTORIA 22 def Western Australia 3 | Victoria red hot on a chilly day

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Victoria scored 22 runs off 13 hits in an impressively patient batting display in frigid Melbourne conditions.

As a team, they worked 17 walks off Western Australian pitching. WPBL draft pick Emi Saiki led the team with four walks.

With the bats, Abbey Kelly and Miku Saita posted three hits apiece. Jamie Bastian had 5 RBI.

Allie Bebbere started for Victoria, tossing 3.0 innings with six hits, one earned run, and two strikeouts. Brittney Baker and Ash Patton tossed two scoreless innings in relief.

Victoria exploded for seven runs in the second to race away to a 7-1 lead. They added five in the third and seven more in the fourth.

VICTORIA

Hits (13): Abbey Kelly (3), Kira Kuwamoto, Lili Cavanagh (2), Abbey McLellan (2), Jamie Bastian, Miku Saita (3), Ruby Dale

RBI: Kelly, Kuwamoto (3), Cavanagh (2), McLellan (2), Bastian (5), Saita (3), Bentley (2), Dale

VICTORIA 10 def SOUTH AUSTRALIA 1 | Victoria explode for six runs in the fourth to improve to 10-1

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Victoria capped off a perfect opening day with a 10-1 win over a young South Australian squad.

The game was close until the middle of the fourth inning, when Victoria sent 11 batters to the box and plated six runs.

They were led by a standout performance by Abbey McLellan (below) who went 3-for-4 at the dish with two RBI. It capped off a five hit day for McLellan in her return to the nationals.

Abbey Kelly also reached base three times and scored twice, building off a five run performance in Game 1.

Kira Kuwamoto collected a pair of hits in the win. Victoria as a team tallied ten hits.

Narumi Kametani was excellent in her start. She went 4.0 innings with three hits, one unearned run and no walks. Jess Johnson tossed an inning of relief with two strikeouts. Paula Doherty struck out the side in her inning of relief.

Jasmine Bentley took a great diving catch.

South Australia collected three hit. Carly Moore had the lone RBI. Amara Quinn allowed six runs, with only two earned runs, in her 3.0 innings. Dakota Ding and Maxine Saunders pitched in relief.

On the day, Victoria outscored opponents 32-4 with 23 hits and 21 walks.

“I think we’re very good in the batters box. We’re swinging at the right pitches, attacking and hitting the ball hard,” noted Abbey Kelly after the game.

Abbey McLellan agrees.

“We were feeling the game based on whatever staged we were in. We’ve been discipline and hunted good pitches, and once the game(s) got a little bit more comfortable, we still stayed discipline but were swinging with a bit more freedom but looking to do damage,” said McLellan after the game.

VICTORIA

Hits (10): Abbey Kelly, Kira Kuwamoto (2), Lili Cavanagh, Ash Patton, Abbey McLellan (3), Miku Saita, Jasmine Bentley

RBI: Kelly, Kuwamoto (2), Cavanagh (2), Patton, McLellan (2), Saita

SOUTH AUSTRALIA

Hits (3): Sarah McMahon, Carly Moore, Indie O’Hazy Tschorn
RBI: Moore

NEW SOUTH WALES 12 def WESTERN AUSTRALIA 3 | Isobel Lambert drives in five in runaway win

New South Wales’ gold medal defense is off to a strong start.

The Blues outhit Western Australia, last year’s bronze medalists, 13-4 en route to a runaway win.

Isobel Lambert had two hits and drove in five runs in the win.

They were buoyed by multi-hit performances from Lisa Nakashio, Maddi Heath, Cayla Johnston and Sayaka Mori.

Ebony Van Eynde threw 4.2 innings in her start. She allowed three runs (one earned), with four hits, four walks and six strikeouts. Maddi Erwin struck out four in her 1.1 innings of relief.

Chloe Atkinson had four of WA’s four hits.

The game was tied at three in the second when Mori’s RBI single gave NSW the lead for good. Cayla Johnston added to the advantage with an RBI in the third. They scored three in the third and four in the fourth.

Western Australia fall to 0-2.

NEW SOUTH WALES

Hits (13): Lisa Nakashio (2), Ticara Geldenhuis, Claire O’Sullivan, Isobel Lambert (2), Maddison Heath (2), Cayla Johnson (2), Kara Cassidy, Sayaka Mori (2)

RBI: Lambert (5), Nakashio, O’Sullivan, Bree Green, Johnson, Mori

WESTERN AUSTRALIA

Hits (4): Atkinson (2), Leah Cornish, Caitlyn Eynon
RBI: Eynon, Atkinson

Australia’s best women’s baseball players will take the field at the Australian Women’s Championships this week with more than a national title on the line.

Watching closely will be Emeralds head coach Jason Pospishil, leading a national scouting group tasked with shaping Australia’s next Women’s World Cup roster.

Every at-bat, every pitch and every defensive play carries weight this week. People are watching.

HUB: Follow the 2026 Women’s Championships

A 20-player squad will be selected from this tournament for the upcoming World Cup group stage in Rockford, Illinois. Australia is drawn into a six-team group.

Alongside the final 20-player roster, a group of shadow players will also be named in the event of injury.

Jason Pospishil says the battle for roster spots is wide-open and highly competitive.

“There are 20 spots up for grabs. This week is huge in determining that,” Pospishil said. “Any player 16 years or older is in contention. All the best players are on the field this week. We have some great options to choose from.”

For Pospishil, now in his second World Cup cycle, the Championships represent more than just a talent identification exercise.

It’s a reset point. Australia is looking to get back on the podium for the first time since 2014.

“Our culture needs to go back to a winning culture,” he said. “We are grinders. We need to have this mentality that we won’t and don’t worry about things out of our control, or things that aren’t related to the game. We worry about the game, what we can control, and how we can play well. It’s about winning.”

That message is clear and uncompromising. Wearing the green and gold demands results.

“We need people on this team who understand the little things required to win, people that play the game the right way,” Pospishil said.

“The word ‘effort’ is something that is non-negotiable if you’re on this team. If you’re on the team, you’re on there to win. Win or lose, the effort is there.”

When talking about the ‘little things’, he points to 2023 as an example.

In 2023, the Emeralds missed advancing out of their group by a single game, with defensive lapses proving costly.

While the pitching group showed promise, inconsistencies – particularly in throwing strikes and executing defensively – ultimately denied Australia a place in the finals.

Australia was fourth of six teams in fielding percentage. Despite holding opponents to a second-best batting average against of .222, Australia walked 21 batters in just five games.

Australia made five errors in an extra-innings loss to Mexico. Had the Emeralds won that game, they would have been through to the Final Stages.

Three errors vs Canada played a huge role in Australia squandering a late three-run lead in a tournament ending loss.

“Our defence probably let us down last time,” Pospishil simply said.

That reality has sharpened the selection lens this week.

Pospishil says he is keeping a close eye on pitchers who can consistently throw strikes and defenders who are fundamentally sound.

“Players who can execute under pressure,” he said.

While performance remains front of mind, Pospishil also pointed to a growing depth within the program, particularly from the emerging generation.

“It’s a real positive that we are seeing a lot of players coming out of the youth women and graduate into the open women’s and make an impact,” he said. “It’s showing the pathway is working. The Roos idea is fabulous. There’s players on this team that are in contention for roster spots too.”

That next wave will be tested not only on skill, but on their ability to meet the standards required at international level.

DETAILS: Emeralds drawn in Rockford Group for 2026 World Cup

“We’re looking for players that tick boxes on a Team Australia foundations document,” Pospishil said.

A captain will also be named as part of the squad announcement, with leadership viewed as central to the team’s identity moving forward.

“That person is going to be someone that exemplifies everything we want this team to be,” he said. “They’re about winning. They’re about preparation.”

Australia enters this World Cup cycle with a proud history, but a clear goal.

“Return to the podium,” said Pospishil. “There’s a lot of talent in this country and I have no doubt this is achievable. There are a lot of excellent people and players in the program.”

It’s been more than a decade since the Emeralds last secured a medal, and progressing out of the group stage in 2027 looms as the first major step.

“Our goal is to achieve a performance outcome and qualification for the World Cup Finals in 2027,” Pospishil said. “We need to go there and find ways to win games. That’s what the culture needs to be.”

This week, that process will be highlighted.

The tournament begins Sunday 12 April. You can follow along via our Hub at www.baseball.com.au/womens2026. Make sure you watch the broadcasts on Baseball.com.au.

For the second straight year, an all female officiating crew will umpire the Women’s and Youth Women’s Championships.

The tournament directors are also all female, with all but three scorers being women as well.

Amy McCann and Amy Cannington will also play a lead role in the commentary both.

What began as a breakthrough moment last year has quickly become a standard the event is proud to build on.

“It’s great to see women getting these opportunities at a national level,” said Tournament Director and former Emerald Narelle Gosstray. “It shows there are pathways in sport beyond being an athlete, and hopefully we see more women stepping into umpiring and scoring roles in the future.”

The umpiring group again brings together officials from across the country, led by one of Australia’s most experienced figures in Fiona Lambrick.

Lambrick has officiated at four World Cups and remains a central figure in the growth of women in umpiring.

“I think the all-female crew shows the commitment that Baseball Australia has to promote female participation in the sport. It displays there is a path for female umpires. When I first started it was Janine and I in Victoria, and a few others in the eastern states. We have increased the number of female players through development and showcasing the game for females, why can’t that work for umpiring,” says Lambrick.

Baseball Australia umpiring director Brett Robson says nationally we are seeing growth of female umpire numbers.

“We are constantly providing development opportunities for all umpires. This pathway starting in local women’s competitions all the way to WBSC events demonstrates there is a national commitment to these opportunities. We welcome and encourage all women to get into umpiring,” he says

Lambrick says she hopes it encourages more women to try a different role.

“Give it a go! You will surprise yourself! There is plenty of support to help you along the path of umpiring. Will the players and coaches of the sport try your nerves, yes probably, but we can teach to skills to handle these situations,” says Lambrick. “There is a lot of satisfaction with umpiring, you will come off the field and say to yourself, I was happy with my game today. Remember plate umpire has the best seat in the house for a game.”

The Championships umpiring crews feature officials across both divisions. You can read about the impact moments like these have here.

Australian Women’s Championship and Youth Women’s Championships Umpires 

• Cassandra Leigh Hall
• Jenelle Stafilis (VIC)
• Alkira Prior (SA)
• Liliana Ostara (QLD)
• Leanne Gearside (NSW)
• Tess Sard (VIC)
• Katie Page (NSW)
• Alisha Jewry (QLD)
• Lilian King (ACT)
• Mina Campbell (SA)
• Carla Pinder (QLD)
• Janine Thompson (VIC)

Among them, Queensland’s Alisha Jewry returns after attending the Harry Wendelstedt Professional Umpire School in Florida through a LevelUmp scholarship, highlighting the growing international pathways now available. You can read a feature on her here by Connie Rowe.

Off the field, the all-female scoring crew continues to play a critical role in capturing the tournament’s moments, while the tournament delivery team ensures the event runs smoothly from first pitch to final out. Connie Rowe penned a feature on the scoring crew last year. It’s worth a read.

The scorer’s are:
– Tanneale Marshall
– Rebecca Mitchell
– Jennie Moloney
– Fiona Woolger
– Kim Robertson
– Melinda Hargreaves
– Samuel Brennan
– David Ceccon
– Michael Phillips

The Australian Women’s and Youth Women’s Championships run from April 12–18 at Melbourne Ballpark. A full schedule, state-by-state previews, and tournament information can be found via the Hub at www.baseball.com.au/womens2026.