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If Australia has it their way, they’ll be a nightmare to game plan against at the upcoming Women’s World Cup.

“Unpredictability is going to be a big edge we have over the other teams,” says Caitlin Eynon, who is both an infielder and pitcher for the Emeralds.”

“We have so many utility players, no team is going to be able to prepare for a certain pitcher for a certain amount of innings because there are so many possibilities and combinations within our squad,” she says. “Our flexibility and depth will be strong. We are well equipped to face any adversity.”

16 of Australia’s 20 players who leave Sunday morning to the Women’s World Cup in Canada next week play more than one position on the diamond.

Over the five-day Sydney training camp, the Emeralds drilled down on team fundamentals but one big word comes to the forefront – “versatility.”

That versatility is very much intentional, and the team is hoping it pays big dividends in Group A action that runs from August 9-13 in Thunder Bay.

Head coach Jason Pospishil says it’s all about playing to their team’s strengths.

“For us to be able to win we have to utilise our best players on both sides of the ball as much as we can,” he says. “That creates moving parts. We have to prepare for a lot of scenarios.”

Look at Abbey Kelly, for example. She is regarded as Australia’s best thirdbasewoman. She’s also a big-time World Cup pitcher who helped the Emeralds shutdown powerhouse USA at the 2016 World Cup.

“Abbey just may start at third and then be asked to come in and pitch two huge innings for us. So, we need someone that can come in and play third when she does,” says Pospishil. “Every single scenario we do that, we need to choose a team to adjust.”

MORE WOMEN’S STORIES:

• Emeralds share their “why” ahead of World Cup
• Meet the Emeralds – the 20-person roster for World Cup

Same goes for Morgan Doty. Not only is she one of the best centrefielders in the tournament, she’s also the Emerald’s closing pitcher.

Caitlin Eynon, fresh off leading Western Australia to a national title. will pitch and play shortstop. Players like Lili Cavanagh and Kelsey Brennan can play every position in the outfield, as well as pitch.

“It’s a team of utility. It’s a team in the truest sense. It’s next woman up,” says Pospishil.

Eynon will be in a similar position. She will have to move from her position at shortstop, to pitcher, or perhaps somewhere else in the diamond, on a moment’s notice.

She says mental preparation is key. It’s all about focus and adjusting your internal dialogue.

“When you switch from one position to another it’s like you’re wiping the slate clean and you have a second chance to make an impact on the result of the game. You have a new job,” she says. “Your internal dialogue adjusts to use different cue words. Maybe as an infielder you are saying ‘hit the ball to me.’ As a pitcher your routine goes to ‘stay low, righ, left, present glove, etc,’ As soon as I hit the rubber it switches.”

For players like Maddy Patrick, a “super utility” who can play almost every position on the diamond, it means she has to prepare for almost everything.

It keeps her on her toes. She says it makes her learn a lot more about the game as a whole.

“The coaching staff has done a great job over the last eleven weeks making sure I get reps across the whole field. It’s really hard work, but incredibly rewarding. It’s something I have been working on for the past few years now knowing [this will come],” she says.

Perhaps the versatility is just the nature of women’s baseball – a growing sport in Australia.

Doty says it’s reflected back at the home clubs, where players are asked to play so many roles. It makes it hard to specialise.

But Doty says it has allowed Australia to turn this into a strength, especially when it comes to pitching.

“The fact we have so many possible combinations really frees up the pitching options,” she says. “In the past, potentially some quality pitchers may not have been able to be utilised because they are needed elsewhere in the field. Our arms and legs will stay fresh and if the opportunity arises we can rest a player – this will benefit us at the end of the tournament.”

Australia is also in a transitional phase in their program. For years the Emeralds had jobs held down by players in specialist positions. Tahnee Lovering at catcher. Amy McCann at centre. Shae Lilywhite at second. The list goes on.

And the results were there, to be fair. Australia finished in the Top 4 (with a silver medal in 2010) in the first six editions of the tournament. They haven’t been in that position since 2014, however.

This version of the Emeralds has 14 new players – each still developing and trying to find their footing at the international level. They can all play multiple positions.

Australia needs to build around that.

Shae Lillywhite is entering her ninth World Cup – the only woman in the country to do so. She says Australia is still improving their depth in the high performance of the sport.

“I’m sure these young players will all be comfortable doing what is asked of them and slipping into multiple roles,” she says. “Pops loves the athleticism of this talented young group and all their tools. It will be a huge learning experience for so many of them to compete against the world and grow their baseball minds…as well as show off their tools.”

Australia’s first game is vs the USA on Wednesday. Fans can watch via the WBSC’s streaming service called “GameTime.”

Australia has their first win of the Under 12 World Cup, after defeating New Zealand 17-2 in Taiwan.

It was a true team effort. Eight different Aussies combined for 14 hits while three pitchers kept New Zealand bats in check. Seventeen different players were used.

The game was called via a run rule in the fourth inning.

The climax came early. Australia scored 13 runs in the first inning.

It was a true display of teamwork – with every player in the Australian line-up either scoring or having an RBI in the opening digs.

It was a productive day top-to-bottom. Toby Kelman (NSW) went 3-for-3 with four RBI. Travis Holborow (NSW) had four RBIs to his name. Litsu Tamura, Harrison Thomas-McLean and Ignatius Carter also had multi-hit games.

Australia (1-5) plays their next game of the placement round on Friday at 1:00PM AEST vs Panama (3-3). You can watch the game via WBSC’s ‘GameTime’ streaming platform.

Game Recap

Australia got off to a dream start – a whopping 13 runs in the first inning.

Their first seven batters found a way to reach base. In fact, Australia brought 19 batters to the plate in the frame. It was an impressive display of teamwork, with every player making a contribution by virtue of a run or RBI.

Better yet, Australia was able to convert the pressure into some runs. A lot of them.

BOX SCORE: Australia vs New Zealand

Harrison Thomas-McLean (NSW) came through with the first RBI of the game on a ground ball that had eyes. He scored Jakob Cruz (NSW) for the first run of the game.

Toby Kelman (NSW) crunched his third double of the tournament, powering a ball to deep centrefield to score Litsu Tamura (QLD).

A patient bases-loaded walk earned by Travis Holborow (NSW) made it 3-0. Maisen Ricketts (VIC) followed with a deep sacrifice fly to left field.

Mark Howell (WA) provided more punch. His RBI single to centre scored Chase Crew (QLD). Holborow scored off a balk, Howell scored off a wild throw.

Toby Kelman tallied his second hit of the inning, this time a deep single to right field, that scored another two runs.

Holborow kept piling on. He had a two-RBI double that hugged the right-field line.

Maisen Ricketts brought home two more, his third RBI of the opening inning, with a deep double of his own.

Suddenly, it was 13-0. After one inning.

Zavier Leigh made quick work of New Zealand, allowing just one hit and no runs through the first two innings before being subbed.

Australia added a couple more in the second.

During that inning, Toby Kelman recorded his third hit and fourth RBI of the game. Holborow also drove in his fourth of the contest.

Australia also flexed their defensive muscles in this game. Mark Howell made a sensational diving grab in centrefield to end the second inning.

After an Ashton Diplock (SA) RBI put the Aussies up 16-0 in the third, New Zealand launched a mini-rally. They tallied four straight hits in a row to score a pair of runs in the bottom of the third.

Australia added their final run in the fourth.

Oliver Allen came in to shut things down and preserve the 15-run-rule win.

Australia plays Panama tomorrow.

Tournament hosts Chinese Taipei overwhelmed Australia to conclude group play at the Under-12 World Cup, winning 18-0 on Wednesday night.

Chinese Taipei were red-hot favourites entering the game. The win moves them to a perfect 5-0 record – one of only two unbeaten teams left.

Chinese Taipei started the game with five straight hits. They scored five runs in the first, eight runs in the second and another five in the third, all while keeping Australian bats in check.

Yu-Yen Lo was the catalyst for Taiwan. He had two hits, 5 RBIs and a massive grand slam in the second inning.

Australia’s big highlight was a 9-4-3 double play in the first inning.

Archer Petersen and Toby Kelman had the lone hits for the Green & Gold.

Chinese Taipei advance to the Super Round of the tournament. They will be a strong contender to win it all. All teams who finish Top 3 in their group advance to the championship portion of the tournament.

Australia (0-5) moves on to the placement round. They will play the bottom three teams from Group B over the coming days. These teams are: New Zealand (0-5), Panama (2-3) and Czechia (1-4).

BOX SCORE

AUSTRALIA GAME HIGHLIGHTS

• A nifty heads-up double-play to end the first. It was a 9-4-6 double-play by Ashton Diplock, Litsu Tamura and Archer Petersen
• A great opposite field double that split the outfielders for Toby Kelman (NSW) in the second inning
• Litsu Tamura had a nice day in the field. He made another nice play in the third inning off a hard hit ground ball and nearly turned two;
• Archer Petersen had another base hit. He is hitting over .500 for the tournament;
• Honestly, just the experience. Let’s remember these are just kids. Australia got the invite just four weeks before the tournament started. They started strangers and will end brothers. Today they got to play in front of a big crowd, with cheerleaders, music, trumpets and vs a world-class opponent. What an experience!

Above: Australia visited a school in Taiwan today.

Below: Started off strangers, ended up brothers.

If you need a job done, you can probably just call one of the Emeralds.

That’s not meant in the baseball sense. When it comes to everyday life, the Australian Women’s National Team has your metaphorical bases covered.

This group of World Cup athletes is made up of engineers, lending managers and students. There are myotherapists, floor tilers and teachers. They are mothers, partners and sisters. Need an insurance analyst? We have one for you. Want a birthday party coordinated? No worries. There are even excavators, compliance managers, truck drivers and massage therapists.

Need a building designed? Morgan Doty is an architect. Want to look at some sort of…er…rock? Well, Carly Moore is a geologist.

For the next two weeks, every member of the team will put their everyday occupations aside. It’s time for the pinnacle of women’s baseball.

The Women’s World Cup of Baseball is in Canada from August 8-13 and training camp starts tonight in Sydney.

For the next two weeks, the 20 humans on the Emeralds are baseball players…and only baseball players.

Heck, who are we kidding? They always have – and always will be at heart – only baseball players.

Representing your country in any sport will always be a special thing. But it feels a little bit different when it comes to the Emeralds, Team Australia and the upcoming Women’s Baseball World Cup.

The sacrifices made to play on this team are phenomenal. They have to work around complicated work schedules, demanding training and family time. Each of them finds time to play baseball. Scratch that. Not just play baseball – compete at a high level – a world class level.

Follow Team Australia on Instagram to get behind-the-scenes footage from Emeralds player Ticara Geldenhuis: Click to follow.

For these women, there is not a level of baseball higher than the Women’s World Cup. Training must reflect that.

Here is what centrefielder Morgan Doty’s preparation has looked like:

• 3x on-field & hitting sessions a week with the Baseball Victoria high performance team
• 3x strength / speed sessions a week
• 1x bullpen session
• 1-2 club ball games a week, where she works in time in the outfield and on the mound

“It adds up to about 20 hours a week,” says Doty. “And this is on top of working full time. It’s been mental but I feel like it’s the best preparation I’ve ever had.”

Head coach Jason Pospishil says he is amazed by how much the Australian women give to be on this team. They juggle a hectic life, a demanding high-performance schedule and have to pay to play.

MEET THE EMERALDS: 20 players and their bios.

“These are players in user-pay programs in high performance programs. They all sacrifice a lot to do this,” he says.  “You can tell how much it means to them. The emotion was real when they got the call that they were on the team. They work so hard for this.”

The reward to the sacrifice is here.

Men’s team head coach Dave Nilsson sums up what it means to put on the Team Australia uniform beautifully in the recent “Skin in the Game” documentary.

It’s no different for the Emeralds.

“I’m pretty comfortable that our players make more sacrifices than any other country. That’s not a complaint at all – it just is what it is,” he says. “When you’re talking about representing your country – and your families – this is in the truest form. They’re just trying to achieve something special, just as people. It takes a special person to buy into the Team Australia Culture.”

So it begs the question: “Why bother?”

Why play this game? Why give up so much? Why do you want to be the best?

We just asked them. Here are their responses.

The Women’s World Cup starts officially next week. We look forward to sharing these players stories.

The Emeralds – Our “Why”

Kelsey Brennan: “My ‘why’ for baseball is for the feeling it brings me when playing – I find myself become a leader, coming out of my shell, and feeling free. My ‘why’ is the countless hours I’m putting in for the athletes younger than me who can find a pathway through baseball. My ‘why’ is knowing I have the ability to be a strong female figure for junior girls and help ignite a spark for the love of the game. My ‘why’ is doing it for 12 year old me, and my ‘why’ is knowing any goal is achievable and no one can stop me no matter what.”

Gen Beacom: “I’ve played baseball my whole life and haven’t ever been more passionate about anything else. There’s always something to get better at in baseball, you can never be comfortable at the level you’re at”

Allie Bebbere: “I play because when I do I feel powerful. I also really like being in a predominantly sport and keeping up with the guys and showing them that GIRLS CAN TOO!”

Lili Cavanagh: “I’ve always loved playing baseball, but I continue to play for the friends I’ve made through the sport. If working harder means I get to play in the same grades as my friends, or on the same representative teams as my friends, then working harder feels so much more worth it.

Carly Moore: “Baseball provides me with a clarity, it’s something I’ve spent a lot of time doing, it’s something I really understand. Baseball has brought me some of the happiest memories and closest friends I’ve ever had.”

Shae Lillywhite: “It’s the best game in the world. You never feel like you have it figured out and its makes you keep coming back for more. Plus, the incredible friendships you make.

Claire O’Sullivan: “Baseball challenges me to be better and to do better. It enables me to keep perspective of the things that matter in my life. I love the challenge of working to become better and I love playing in a team environment.”

Abbey McLellan: “I love the combination of individual and team performance. I love that there’s different roles for different kinds of players, power hitters, base stealers, and that it takes a little bit of everything to be a successful team. Personally, my club, Footscray, is a big contributor to my why. They have been a home away from home since I started playing, I wouldn’t be where I am today without everyone at that club.”

Maddy Patrick: “The people, friendships that are formed it is like family. As well as an outlet, it’s a break and step out of day to day routine where you can showcase yourself and push yourself to be better and challenge yourself. You can have a whole new identity in the sport and so much more.”

Maddison Heath: “My family, we have been devoted to this sport for a very long time. We have all played baseball and i felt as though it really was a way we connected. I set myself goals, this being my biggest one, and my family have done everything they can so i have that support. The team environment and the endless support from team mates and coaches makes this such a great game to love.”

Lisa Norrie (Coach): “I coach baseball as I love giving back to the game. I love helping athletes become the best they can be.”

Meagan Haggart: “I love the challenge the game brings to me. Every time you step on the field, you never know what to expect or how the game is going to go. I love playing with my mates and having a good time”

Caitlin Eynon: “I love being a part of a team who can work together to achieve a goal. I love the hard work that goes into bettering myself and improving my skillset. I also love that there is always something to be working towards or striving for, whether that be a position, a team or skill improvement.”

Maddison Tabrett: “Baseball is everything and has been since I was a little kid. It’s what I did whenever I could and still what I do whenever I can. It’s apart of my family and my daughter loves coming and supporting me each week. ”

Ashley Patton: “I like to compete”

Sammantha Hamilton (Coach): “Coaching baseball brings me an incredible sense of fulfillment and joy. It’s not just about the game itself, but the opportunity to mentor and inspire athletes to grow both on and off the field. Seeing their progress and witnessing their passion for the sport ignite makes every moment worthwhile. I love being a part of their journey, helping them develop their skills, teamwork, and sportsmanship. Being a coach allows me to give back to the sport that has given me so much, and there’s nothing more rewarding than knowing I play a role in shaping the next generation of baseball players.”

Maddison Erwin: “The game I love has bought me lifelong friends and given me so many opportunities and continues to do so.”

Ticara Geldenhuis: “I do everything with my parents in mind. They made the tough decision to move their whole lives in their mid 30s, to leave their families and friends to move to Australia to give my brother and I better opportunities. I wouldn’t be able to have this opportunity if it wasn’t for them. I also love the spirit of competition and the accomplishment that follows success, for myself or for my teammates. I have met some of my best friends through baseball and these one day will be the aunties and uncles to my children.”

Leah Cornish: “To travel the world playing baseball”

Morgan Doty: “Competing at the highest level – what we are about to do, representing Australia at the world cup – I want to beat the best of the best, I want to win. This is my why.”

Curacao took advantage of seven Australia errors to run away with a 10-0 win at the Senior League World Series.

The Caribbean representative team cashed in ten runs off just six hits but benefited from strong pitching, sensational defense, and unfortunate errors from Australia.

Represented by Ryde Hawks, Australia scattered four hits throughout the game.

Kevin Rosina had eight strike outs in 4.1 innings of work.

Australia will move to elimination portion of the bracket. They fight for their Senior League World Series lives – and a spot in the International Final – Friday morning at 6:00AM.

Game Recap

Curacao entered the game as runaway winners of the Caribbean competition. They are undefeated, scoring 10 runs in nearly all of their games.

They flexed their muscles again this afternoon.

It was a tough start for Australia. Three first inning errors proved costly, as Curacao put up four early runs off just two hits.

Only one of the runs was credited as earned to starting pitcher Jack Lenton.

The Caribbean added another unearned run in the third inning.

Lenton finished with a tidy 3.0 innings pitched, allowing just four hits, one earned run and three strike-outs.

Kellen Haynes took over in the fourth inning. He struck out two batters to get Australia out of a jam and keep Curacao at bay.

Meanwhile, Kevin Rosina was dominant on the mound. He struck out eight batters in 4.1 innings of shutout ball.

Australia threatened in the fourth inning. They had runners on first and third with two-outs but a great catch by a Caribbean outfielder robbed Australia of their first runs of the game.

It seemed to be a sparkplug for Curacao.

They piled on five more runs, again off some costly errors, to pull away and push the lead to 10-0. The game ended in by run rule.

Australia now enters the elimination portion bracket.

They next play Friday at 6:00AM in a do-or-die game vs the winner of Europe and Latin-America (Mexico).

BOX SCORE

CARIBBEAN (CURACAO):  10 Runs, 6 Hits, 0 Errors.
4-0-1-0-5

AUSTRALIA REGION (BRISBANE NORTH):   0 Runs,  4 Hits, 7 Errors.
0-0-0-0-0

Hits: Allaisdaire Ballantyne, Christian Lane, Callum Flint, Lachlan Heap

Pitchers
Jack Lenton – 3.0IP, 4H, 1ER, 1BB, 3SO
Kellen Haynes – 1.1IP, 2H, 4ER, 1BB, 3SO
Christian Lane – 0.2IP, 0H, 0ER, 1SO

Japan has handed Australia it’s fourth straight loss to open the 2023 Under-12 World Cup.

The formidable Japanese bats could not be contained, as the power house baseball nation raced to a 15-0 win in Taiwan on Tuesday

Japan exploded for nine runs in the second inning.

Kengo Wada led the way for the winners, going 3-for-3 with a grand slam and six RBI.

Archer Peterson had Australia’s only hit of the game.

Australia wraps up pool play tomorrow with a game vs the hosts Taiwan.

The consolation round will occur after, with a schedule to be announced soon.

Some highlights for Australia include:

• A nifty double play turned by Archer Peterson at shortstop
• After allowing a grand slam, Harry Roberts showed some nice toughness by bouncing back and striking out the next batter
• Harrison Thomas-McLean made a fantastic trap and throw at third to retire the Japanese batter

Korea rode a terrific team pitching performance to defeat Australia 5-1 at the Intermediate League World Series in Livermore, California.

Australia, represented by the Brisbane North Vikings charter team, were struck out 13 times by the Korean outfit from West Seoul. They also limited the Aussies to just two hits, both by Alonzo Zaire Griffin.

Australia’s pitching also combined for 13 strike-outs.

Alonzo Zaire Griffin put forward a tremendous start on the mound for Australia. He had ten strike-outs in 4.2 innings and gave up just four hits.

The loss sends Brisbane North to an elimination game at 9:00AM local time, or 2:00AM AEST on Wednesday 2 August, vs Puerto Rico. If Australia can win that game, their tournament will continue.

Game Recap

It was never going to be easy for Australia. Their Korean opposition entered the game in phenomenal form – a 5-0 win over Europe where they tossed a no-hitter.

Their pitching looked good in this one, too. Doyun Yi started the game for Korea and allowed just one hit with no walks and no runs in 2.1 inning effort. He also struck out five batters.

Alonzo Zaire Griffin had his special moments as the Australian starting pitcher. He struck out seven batters in his first three innings of work while allowing just four hits.

Doyun Yi then made it happen on the basepaths. He surprised the Australians by stealing home to give Australia the lead.

Korea loaded the bases in the third inning and added two more runs, thanks to a ground ball up the middle.

Zaire Griffin left the game with a stat line to be proud of: 4.2 innings pitched, 4 hits, 3 runs, two walks…and an astounding 10 strikeouts.

The Aussies didn’t have much luck vs Seunghyeon, the Korean relief pitcher. He went the next 1.2 innings without allowing a hit while striking out two.

In the bottom of the fifth, Australia finally put some pressure on the team from West Seoul. Xavier Honsa worked a lead off walk, Zaire Griffin picked up his second hit of the day and suddenly it was runners on the corners and no outs.

Australia gave Korea a taste of their own medicine. Honsa stole home itself to put Australia on the board.

Australia kept the pressure going but Park Jihoon induced a pair of strike-outs to keep the Korean lead at two.

Tirrell Waiwai pitched well in relief for Australia. He pitched 1.0 innings of 1-hit ball with three strike outs.

A two-out, two-run homerun from Park Jihoon helped Korea pull away in the top of the seventh.

Australia will look to rebound tomorrow vs. Puerto Rico.

BOX SCORE

ASIA PACIFIC (KOREA):  5 Runs, 6 Hits, 1 Error.
0-1-2-0-0-0-2

AUSTRALIA REGION (BRISBANE NORTH):  1 Run,  2 Hits, 1 Error.
0-0-0-0-0-1-0

Hits: Alonzo Zaire Griffin (2)

Pitchers
Alonzo Zaire Griffin: 4.2IP, 4H, 3R, 2BB, 10SO
Tirrell Waiwai: 1.0IP, 1H, 0R, 0BB, 3SO
Lachlan Richards: 1.0IP, 1H, 2R, 2BB, 0SO
Fletcher Adams: 0.1IP, 0H, 0R, 0BB, 0SO

Mexico scored a big 14-0 victory over Australia during Monday’s action at the Under-12 World Cup.
The win was Mexico’s first of the tournament. Australia falls to 0-3.

Mexico wasted no time finding the scoresheet. They shot out of the gate with four quick runs in the first inning. The dagger was from a 2-RBI knock from Alejandro Ibarra.

They added four more in the third, a pair in the fourth and four in the fifth.

Team Australia News: Ryde Hawks score famous victory over Mexico at Senior League World Series.

Rey Beltran led the offensive attack for Mexico with three hits and a pair of RBIs. Andre Salvador also had three hits.

Joseph Galvan pitched four shutout innings.

Archer Petersen, Harrison Thomas-McLean and Thomas Holborrow had hits for the Green & Gold.

Australia’s next game is tomorrow afternoon at 1:00PM AEST vs Japan.

Some nice highlights for Australia in today’s game:

• A nice defensive play from Litsu Tamura on a ground ball to end the second inning;
• Zavier Leigh showed some character by bouncing back after a tough first-inning to hold Mexico scoreless in the second inning and hold them to one in the third;
• A hard driven double to the wall from Harrison Thomas-Mclean (NSW) brought the crowd to its feet in the second inning;
• Archer Petersen had another hit for Australia. Not only has he pitched this tournament, but he has a .667 batting average;

BOX SCORE: Mexico vs Australia