News

The Group Stage of the 2026 Australian Youth Championships are complete in the Under 16 Division.

All seven teams have played six games against each other.

Finals start on Sunday at 2:15PM live and free on Baseball+.

Here’s a look.

A massive thank you to all our scorers for their hard work this tournament.

HUB: Follow the Tournament (U16 and U18)

TEAM STATS

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Team Averages

QLD – .378
VIC – .374
WA – .359
NSW – .348
SA – .338
NSW COUNTRY – .313
ACT ROOS – .250

Team ERA

NSW – 4.12
VIC – 5.40
SA – 6.26
QLD – 6.84
WA – 9.51
ACT ROOS – 15.00
NSW COUNTRY – 16.39

Fielding Percentage

NSW – .943
QLD – .937
WA – .936
VIC – .933
COUNTRY – .928
ROOS – .923
SA – .917

BATTING LEADERS

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HITS

1. Oscar Shimakura (VIC) – 11
1. Buzz Mecham (QLD) – 11
3. Sebastian Bravo (SA) – 8
3. Beau Stockdale (NSW) – 8
3. Noah Nash (NSW) – 8

HR

Buzz Mecham (QLD) – 1
Noah Nash (NSW) – 1
Sam Stafilis (VIC) – 1
Archer Petersen (QLD) – 1

RBI

1. Buzz Mecham (QLD) – 8
1. Noah Nash (NSW) – 8
3. Alex Bennetts (NSW) – 7
3. Daniel Price (NSW) – 7

ON BASE PERCENTAGE
(Min 12 Plate Appearances)

1. Chayce Humble (WA) – .769
1. Buzz Mecham (QLD) – .750
3. William Bain (QLD) – .750
4. Beau Stockage (NSW) – .722
5. Flynn Hennessy (WA) – .714

EXTRA BASE HITS

1. Beau Stockage (NSW) – 7
2. Noah Nash (NSW) – 5
3. Oscar Shimakura – 4

PITCHING LEADERS

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ERA
min 3.0 IP

1. Jet Creamer (NSW) – 0.00 in 4.2 IP
2. Flynn Hennessy (WA) – 0.00 in 3.1 IP
2. Tyler Wilson (QLD) – 0.00 in 3.1 IP
4. Jack Phegan (NSW) – 1.24 in 5.2 IP

STRIKE OUTS

1. Jet Creamer (NSW) – 7
2. Thomas Hill (VIC) – 6
2. Kobi Scaife (WA) – 6
2. Austin Turner (NSW COUNTRY) -6

The biggest day in Australian baseball is in the books.

There were 13 games across three clubs and two divisions at the Australian Youth Championships. Finals spots had to be sorted on Baseball+. The ABL had four games on Baseball+.

When we started the day, four teams (SA, New South Wales Country, Queensland and Western Australia) were vying for just two remaining spots in the Under 16 finals on the last day of Pool Play. Read below who got through.

The recaps are sorted by division and in order of completion. Tomorrow’s schedule is at the bottom of this story.

Scroll for schedule, scores and recaps from both divisions.

Don’t forget to follow us on socials via baseball.com.au and through our Hub at www.baseball.com.au/ayc2026 for up-to-date news. You can find the FULL SCHEDULE there.

For select highlights, visit us on YouTube. You can watch replays on Baseball+.

SCHEDULE / RESULTS

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UNDER 16s 

– Victoria 12 def New South Wales Country 0
– ACT Roos 11 def Western Australia 5
– South Australia 9 def New South Wales 8
– Queensland 16 def NSW Country 3
– New South Wales 12 def ACT Roos 0
– Queensland 9 def South Australia 5

U16 Game Changer Link: Click here

UNDER 18s

– NSW Country 11 def ACT Roos 7
– Western Australia 19 def ACT Roos 5
– Victoria 3 def South Australia 2
– Queensland 11 def New South Wales Country 7
– Victoria 13 def New South Wales 3
– Western Australia 7 def Queensland 3
– New South Wales 14 def South Australia 8

U18 Game Changer Link: Click here 

CURRENT STANDINGS

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Under 16s | Final Pool Play Standings 

1. New South Wales 5-1, 10 points*
2. Victoria 5-1, 10 points*
3. Queensland 4-2, 6 points*
4. South Australia 2-3-1, 5 points*
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5. New South Wales Country 2-4, 4 points
6. Western Australia 1-4-1, 3 points
7. ACT Roos 1-4, 2 points

U16 Finals Schedule

– Finals Game 1 (G1): Victoria vs Queensland, 2:15PM @ Essendon, Sunday
– Finals Game 2 (G2): New South Wales vs South Australia, 4:45PM @ Essendon, Sunday

– Qualification Final – Winner G1 vs Winner G2, 11:30AM @ Essendon, Monday
– Elimination Final – Loser G1 vs Loser G2, 2:00PM @ Essendon, Monday
– Preliminary Final – Winner Elim. vs Loser Qualif, 4:30PM @ Essendon, Monday

– Gold Medal – Winner Qualification vs Winner Prelim Final, 2:30PM, Tuesday

UNDER 16 RECAPS

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VIC 12 def NSW C 0 | Victoria shutout New South Wales Country and secure a top two position with another dominant performance

By Raff Casey

Edison Bush and Allessio Petruzziello both knocked RBI triples in a huge seven run fifth inning. It was the crucial part of Victoria’s domination.

Lucas Joel’s (pictured below) leadoff double was the start; he eventually came around to score the first run of the game.

Victoria kept the pressure on through the second, scoring another run after Oscar Shimaura’s RBI single. They added another to their lead via a Cale Morris sacrifice fly. 3-0.

Two more runs were grabbed easily in the fourth from wild pitches.

Then came the big fifth inning.

The Victorians scored seven runs on just four hits. The majority of the runs came from Edison Bush and Alessio Petruzziello’s RBI triples. Lucas Joel also had an RBI single.

But it wasn’t just eh offense that was hot. The pitching was incredible.

VIC’s starter, Thomas Hill, threw 2.2 innings. He was untouchable. Zero hits, zero runs, six strikeouts. George Steer and Chase Potts backed him up out of the bullpen. They allowed just one hit each with no runs and three strikeouts between them.

VICTORIA

HITS: O. Shimakura (3), S. Stafilis, L. Joel, E. Bush, D. Hwang, A. Petruzziello (2)

RBI: O. Shimakura, L. Joel, E. Bush, O. Allen, A. Petruzziello, C. Morris

NSW COUNTRY

HITS: D. Evans, C. Daniels

RBI: –

ACT 11 def WA 5 | Hamish Willemsen leads the Roos to their first win of the tournament and deny Western Australia of a finals position

By Raff Casey

Peter Baade and Tyler Lessard got the Roos off to a strong start after their first inning RBI singles gave ACT a four-run lead. They added to their Ealy advantage in the second inning off of Owen Monoghan’s single.

The Roos kept the pressure on through the third. Hamish Willemsen knocked a long 3-run triple to push the lead to 9-0.

He finished the day 3-for-4 with three runs batted in. – A clear standout in this one.

WA tried to mount a comeback in the fourth, scoring three runs from a sacrifice fly followed by a two-run single from Samuel Lemieux.

Conor Stweart opened the game for ACT and backed up his teams’ strong offense with a dominating performance of his own. He threw two innings allowing just one hit. Not a single run crossed the plate in his shift. He added three strikeouts to his line.

Aiden Corkill threw the remaining four innings.

Western Australia drove in another two unanswered runs through the fifth and sixth inning, but it was too little too late.

ACT ROOS

HITS: H. Willemsen (3), F. Scargill, O. Monoghan, P. Baade, J. Schneider, T. Lessard (2)

RBI: H. Willemsen (3), O. Rey-Benguigui (2), F. Scargill, O. Monoghan, P. Baade, J. Schneider, T. Lessard

WESTERN AUSTRALIA

HITS: R. Ottoway, F. Hennessey (2), S. Lemieux, A. Moffat

RBI: K. Scaife, S. Lemieux (2), A. Moffat

SA 9 def NSW 8 | South Australia walk off undefeated NSW and put themselves back into a top four position

By Raff Casey

This was a wild game. South Australia led 8-2 before New South Wales stormed back to tie it.

Oliver Breach’s RBI triple and Logan Stephens’ RBI single allowed SA to jump out to a five-run lead through the first two innings.

They added to their advantage in the third with Ollie Alexander’s RBI double and Sebastian Bravo Somoza’s single.

It was looking like a complete domination.

But NSW mounted a huge comeback.

They scored multiple runs from wild pitches and sacrifice flys, before Noah Nash ripped a single. – He later came around to score on a pass ball.

Austin Murdoch tied it up in the fifth with an RBI single of his own.

With time running out, the sixth inning was going to be the last.

South Australian reliever Hugo Costa (#5 pictured below) fought his way out of a bases loaded situation to hold the deadlock. He allowed just one hit.

Costa was also the winning run. He crossed the plate after starting the rally with a single.

SA move back into the top four, but are yet to clinch a finals spot.

They need either a Queensland win over NSW Country or a win over Queensland in their final game.

SOUTH AUSTRALIA

HITS: S. Bravo Somoza, H. Costa, O. Breach (2), W. Stock, L. Stephens (2), O. Alexander (2),

RBI: S. Bravo Somoza, O. Breach, J. Dallman, R. Ferris, L. Stephens, O. Alexander, M. Dunn

NEW SOUTH WALES

HITS: B. Stockdale (3), N. Nash, R. Ellis, A. Murdoch

RBI: N. Nash (2), A. Murdoch, C. Smith

QUEENSLAND 16 def NSW COUNTRY 3 | Queensland lock up finals spot for themselves and South Australia with commanding victory 

Pre Game Scenario: Winner advances to the finals.

With a finals spot on the line, Queensland exploded out of the gate.

They scored seven runs in the first inning and never looked back. They won the game, secured a finals position, and eliminated New South Wales Country in the process.

Buzz Mecham had one of his team-leading three hits in the first inning. Mecham went 3-for-3 on the day.

Isaiah Carrington also had a triple in the first inning that scored a pair.

They put the game beyond doubt in the fourth inning. Archer Petersen hit a two-run homer in a seven run frame to push a lead to 16-3.

Chase Crew, Tyler Wilson and Xavier Honsa combined to allow just four hits and no earned runs in their victory.

Queensland did it as a team. Nine different players had an RBI.

Queensland improves to 3-2 with one game to play vs South Australia tonight. They have clinched a spot in the Top 4.

With a NSW Country loss (2-4 record), South Australia (2-2-1) are also mathematically in the Top 4 and the finals.

QUEENSLAND

Hits (12): Buzz Mecham (3), Will Bain (2), Logan Lokeni (2), Levi Duke, Kai Flynn-Ballard, Archer Petersen, Isaiah Carrington (2)

RBI: Petersen (2), Levi Duke (2), Will Bain, Sammy Plumb, Logan Lokeni, Beau Cole, Ashton Wise, Tyson Weavell, Isaiah Carrington

NSW COUNTRY

Hits (4): Riley Coombes, Liam Gardner, Jackson Leighton, Austin Turner

NSW 12 def ACT ROOS 0 | New South Wales lock up top spot after pool play with big win at Port Melbourne

New South Wales bounced back after their earlier loss with a 12-0 win to finish Pool Play with a 5-1 record and in first place. They’ll play the loser of Queensland and South Australia in the first round of the finals.

New South Wales scored six runs in the first, large impart to a Noah Nash double, Alex Bennetts single, and Nicholas Turley 2-RBI double.

They added six more off two hits in the third.

Jack Drummond was excellent in his start for New South Wales, tossing 3.1 shutout innings with just two hits conceded.

NEW SOUTH WALES

Hits (7): Beau Stockdale, Owen Hart, Noah Nash, Daniel Price, Alex Bennetts, C. Smith, Nicholas Turley

RBI: Turley (2), A. Murdoch, D. Price (2), A. Bennetts, Jack Phegan, N. Nash

ACT ROOS

Hits (2): Lincoln Barrett, Ollie Maher

QLD 9 def SA 5 | Mecham homers, Queensland score seven unanswered South Australia, finish third in minor rounds

In a game to determine who would be third or fourth entering finals, Queensland finished topped.

Both squads managed their pitching.

Queensland broke a 5-5 tie in fifth inning by scoring four runs – all off walks and hit-by-pitches.

At one point, South Australia led 5-2. Angas Rivett ripped a single down the right-field line in the third to push SA’s advantage to three.

Queensland tied the game in the bottom of the fourth thanks to a solo homer by Buzz Mecham, and a single to Chase Crew.

Crew finished the night at Port Melbourne by going 3-for-3 with two RBI.

South Australia finishes fourth in Pool Play and will play New South Wales in the placement final on Sunday. Queensland will play Victoria in the other end of the draw.

SOUTH AUSTRALIA

Hits (4): Arky Vingelis-Plant, Ollie Alexander, Angas Rivett
RBI: Rivett (2), Vingelis-Plant (2)

QUEENSLAND

Hits (7): Chase Crew (3), Thomas White, Isaiah Carrington, Kai Flynn-Ballard, Buzz Mecham

RBI: Mecham, Xavier Honsa, Kai Flynn-Ballard, Isaiah Carrington (2), Tyler Wilson, Chase Crew (2), White

HR: Mecham

RECAPS – U18

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VIC 3 def SA 2 | Offense hard to come by as Victoria narrowly edge out South Australia in an intense pitching dual

Victoria got the better of SA despite being outhit five to four.

Both teams were strong on the bump, but Victoria was just a little more convincing at the plate.

It took three full innings before either team could manage a run. – A complete pitching masterclass.

South Australian prodigy Deakin Filko threw 3.1 innings to get the game started. He allowed just one run from two hits, while amassing five strikeouts.

Alexander Gray, Will Tanner, Harry Taintey, Jack Wilton, and Tommy Bird each collected a hit for SA.

On the other side, Victoria’s starter Liam Puncher managed 2.1 innings of shutout baseball. He also allowed two hits and struck out four.

VIC got on the board in the top of the fourth inning after Euan Clarkin’s RBI walk, and Keinosuke Lee’s single. 2-0.

Tommy Bird’s double in the bottom of the fifth was the start of SA’s comeback. A walk and a sacrifice fly brought him in.

A wild pitch allowed the South Aussies to tie the game.

A walk, sacrifice bunt from Cooper Busch, and a wild pitch helped Victoria score the last run of the game.

Victoria improve to 2-0. South Australia drop to 1-1.

VICTORIA

HITS: C. Bishop, M. Langworthy, K. Lee, R. Shanks

RBI: E. Clarkin, K. Lee

SOUTH AUSTRALIA

HITS: H. Taintey, T. Bird, A. Gray, J. Wilton, W. Tanner

RBI: T. Coulls

WESTERN AUSTRALIA 19 def ACT ROOS 5 | Late game WA explosion blows game open

It was close until it wasn’t.

Western Australia started the fourth inning tied at 5-5 with the Roos. They exploded for seven runs in the top of the inning to race away to a win and a 2-0 start to the tournament.

Cooper Barber, Monty Smith, Chayce Benseman, Joel Vlasic, Carlton Branch all provided RBI singles in the swing inning.

They never looked back.

In total, Western Australia whacked 19 hits and earned 7 walks while scoring 19 times. You can read about who had them all below.

The Roos led 3-1 and 5-3 in the game. They took their first advantage in the first thanks to RBI from Aidan Riddle and Dom Hamilton.

Riddle made it 5-3 with a 2-RBI single in the second. He finished with a 2-for-2 stat line with 4-RBI and a couple walks.

For Western Australia, Chayce Benseman had a huge day, going 3-for-4 with 2 RBI. Joel Vlasic went 3-for-4 with 4 RBI. Quinn Fatai and Cooper Barber also had three hits.

Quinn Fatai also had two hits.

Taylor Cook had a great day on the mound in relief for the Westerners. He threw 2.1 innings of perfect innings for Western Australia when it mattered most.

WA are 2-0. ACT Roos fall to 0-4.

WESTERN AUSTRALIA

Hits (19): Carlton Branch (2), Quinn Fatai (3), Zai Gordon (1), Cooper Barber (3), Harry Wooden, Monty Smith (2), Chayce Benseman (3), Ben Hannam, Joel Vlasic (3)

RBI: Vlasic (4), Smith (3), Benseman (2), Wooden, Barber, Gordon, Fatai (3), Branch (2)

ROOS

Hits (7): Ueki (1), J. Lotan (2), O. Kelly, A. Riddle (2), K. Harris

RBI: Riddle (4), D. Hamilton 1

NSW Country 11 def ACT Roos 7 | Country hold off pesky Roos side for first win of the tournament

Jesse Garnero led a patient New South Wales Country squad by driving in four runs off two hits during a Saturday morning win.

Every player in the NSW Country starting nine reached, while the team combined for five hits and 12 walks.

Perhaps the biggest factor in the win was damage minimisation. The Roos had bases loaded with one out in three different innings, but Country pitching held them to just two runs combined in those situations.

The Roos struck first and took a 2-0 lead in the first thanks to an Alexander Clark 2-RBI single.

NSW Country responded with five runs in the bottom of the second. The Roos tied it at five moments later.

Country pulled away with a four run fourth.

Will Matthews led the Roos with two hits including a double and a triple.

NSW COUNTRY

Hits (5): Jesse Garnero (2), Will Klein-Schiporst, Baxter Nee, Kai Pora

RBI: Klien-Schiphorst (2), Nee, Garnero (4), Pora (2)

ACT ROOS

Hits (6): Will Matthews (2), Land, Fielden, Clark, Watson

QUEENSLAND 11 def NEW SOUTH WALES COUNTRY 7 | Defensive web gems and big third inning help Queensland to first win of the tournament

It wasn’t easy, but Queensland picked up their first win over the tournament.

Trailing 4-2 in the third, the Queenslanders lifted for seven runs to sore ahead 9-4. Lachlan Pawsey delivered a critical 2-RBI double. He finished the day going 2-for 2 with 3 RBI and a walk.

He was also one of three Queensland players to turn in a defensive web gem.

Right fielder Warrick Scotland threw out a runner from right field, Pawsey made a diving catch and Axel Strachan delivered a snagging line drive double play.

Queensland managed just six hits but drew ten walks. Blake McPherson led the team with three base on balls.

Nash McBeath led New South Wales Country at the plate, going 2-for-2 with 3 RBI. His single in the third helped give Country a temporary 4-2 lead in the second. Jordan Barnes went 1-for-2 with 2 RBI and 2 walks.

Thomas Calvert started for Queensland, Parker Willard for Country.

Queensland improve to 1-1. NSW Country split the day and drop to 1-3.

QUEENSLAND

HITS (6): Lachlan Pawsey (2), Leo McKenna, A. Griffith, Tylah Laurie, Warrick Scotland
RBI: Pawsey (3), Axel Strachan (2), Leo McKenna, Cooper Reed (2), Tylah Laurie, Warwick Scotland

NSW COUNTRY

HITS (6): Mikey Gerstenberg (2), Jordan Barnes, Cohen Ryan, Nash McBeath (2),
RBI: McBeath (3), Barnes (2), Pora, T. Boggis

VIC 13 def NSW 3 | Busch and Bertucci go deep as Victoria rock New South Wales. to improve to 3-0

Victoria sent a statement to defending champion New South Wales with a resounding 13-3 victory.

Cooper Busch and Jake Bertucci (#9, below) went deep, while the team racked up 13 hits in their six offensive innings.

It was a tight 3-3 contest until Victoria flipped the script, logging seven runs in the fifth inning and another three in the sixth

Nine different players recorded a hit, led by Cooper Bishop-Worn who went 3-for-4 with 2 RBI and a walk.

Harrison Brodie and Lachie Brodie also had two hits.

On the mound, they were nearly as dominant. Brandon Elton, Ethan Nakamura and Euan Clarkin combined to allow just six hits in six innings. Nakamura tossed 3.0 shutout innings.

Liam Worne led New South Wales with two hits.

It’s the second win of the day for Victoria, who improve to 3-0. They won a pitcher’s duel earlier in the day with South Australia.

VICTORIA

Hits (13): Cooper Bishop-Worn (3) Roman Coote, Brody Stokes, Jake Bertucci, Sam Walk, Cooper Busch, Lachie Brennan (2), Harrison Brodie (2), Jai DiBlasi

RBI: DiBlasi (2), H. Brodie, Busch (3),  Langworthy, Bertucci (2), Cooper Bishop Worn (3)

NEW SOUTH WALES

Hits (6): Liam Worne (2), Kobe Cusbert, Tahlan Cavill, Harley Gibson, Ryan Reekie
RBI: Cusbert, Worne, Gibson

WA 7 def QLD 3 | Samukawa homers, Golding makes catch of tournament, Western Australia start perfect at the Australian Youth Championships

Western Australia are off to a perfect start through two days of the Australian Youth Championships.

Queensland scored the first two runs of the game, but Western Australia responded with authority.

Eita Samukawa hit his second homer in as many days to put WA on the board to kickstart a two run inning.

Samukawa drove in another run in the second to put WA in front. Cam Bahr drove in a run to double the lead to 4-2.

Harry Wooden cashed in runs with an RBI single in both the third and fourth inning to sneak WA in front 7-2.

Meanwhile, Dylan Bandy, Declan McDonnell, Dylan Palethorpe ad Cooper Barber kept Queensland bats at bay from the second inning on, combining for 6.0 IP, 8 H, 3 ER, 6 BB and 7 SO.

They were helped by a RIDICULOUS catch by Lenny Golding in the fourth inning.

Lachlan Pawsey had a day for Queensland. He went 3-for-4 with an RBI. Coleby Ryerson went 2-for-3 with a pair of RBI in a productive day at the plate.

Western Australia improve to 3-0, tallying 41 hits across their games.

Queensland drop to 1-2, with a pivotal game vs South Australia looming.

WESTERN AUSTRALIA

Hits (7): Harry Wooden (2), Tom Williams, Cooper Barber, Lenny Golding, Cam Bahr, Eita Samukawa

RBI: Wooden (2), Williams, Bahr, Samukawa

QUEENSLAND

Hits (8): Pawsey (3), Ryerson (2), Warrick Scotland, Cooper Reed, Tylah Laurie
RBI: Ryerson (2), Pawsey

NSW 14 def SA 8 | New South Wales roar back from 6-0 down to pick up third win of the tournament

Despite falling behind 6-0 after three innings, NSW rallied to beat South Australia 14-8 at Preston on Saturday night.

South Australia opened a 4-0 lead thanks to a pair of doubles – one by Ollie Hayes, the other by Tommy Bird.

Sam Galpin launched a two-run homer, his second of the tournament, for South Australia to push the lead to 6-0.

Luke Kennedy was solid in his start for South Australia, tossing 2.2 innings on no-hit baseball, allowing one run and one walk.

Then New South Wales fired back.

After plucking back four runs in the bottom of the third, New South Wales scored seven runs off five hits in the fourth. The biggest hit was by Tahlan Cavill, an RBI single that drove in two.

Suddenly it was 11-4.

Ben Sawyer homered in the fifth inning and Ashton Kennedy drove in a run to push the lead to 14-8.

New South Wales registered ten hits in the game. Ryan Chou, Franke Clarke and Tahlan Cavill each had two. Liam Worne and Cavill each drove in three.

New South Wales clash with undefeated Western Australia on Sunday. South Australia drop to 1-2 and face a crucial test vs fellow 1-2 team Queensland in a game that could determine who goes to the finals.

NEW SOUTH WALES

Hits (10): Kobe Cusbert, Frank Clarke (2), Ashton Kennedy, Tahlan Cavill (2), Liam Worne, Ryan Chou (2), Ben Sawyer

RBI: Cusbert, Clarke (2), Kennedy, Cavill (3), Worne (3), Chou (2), Sawyer (2)

SOUTH AUSTRALIA

Hits (8): Tommy Bird, Ollie Hayes, Alexander Gray (2), Owen Couzner, Sam Galpin, Harvey Cox, Will Tanner

RBI: Taintey, Bird, Hayes, Couzner, Galpin (2), Cox (2)

A very long Day 3 of the Australian Youth Championships comes to a close. Wind gusts of over 60 kmh, play postponed due to temperatures of 45 degrees, an early start and a late finish.

Here are recaps of all nine games across three venues. The Under 18s started today and the Under 16s inched closer to finals with two states locking up positions in the top four.

Don’t forget to follow us on socials via baseball.com.au and through our Hub at www.baseball.com.au/ayc2026 for up-to-date news. You can find the FULL SCHEDULE there.

For select highlights, visit us on YouTube. You can watch replays on Baseball+.

STANDINGS AND SCORES

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Under 16 Division Scores

– Victoria 11 def ACT Roos 9
– New South Wales Country 9 def South Australia 5
– Queensland 10 def Western Australia 4
– New South Wales 15 def Western Australia 5

U16 Game Changer Link: Click here 

CURRENT STANDINGS

*clinched spot in top 4

1. Victoria 4-1, 8 points*
2. New South Wales 4-0, 8 points*
3. New South Wales Country 2-2, 4 points
4. Queensland 2-2, 4 points
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5. South Australia 1-2-1, 3 points
6. Western Australia 1-3-1, 3 points
7. ACT Roos 0-4, 0 points

Under 18 Division Scores 

– New South Wales 9 def ACT Roos 1
– Victoria 18 def ACT Roos 0
– South Australia 14 def NSW Country 2
– New South Wales 14 def Queensland 5
– Western Australia 20 def NSW Country 6

U18 Game Changer Link: Click here 

CURRENT U18 STANDINGS

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

U18 Game Changer Link: Click here 

U16 RECAPS

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VIC 11 def ROOS 9 | Victoria secure position in playoffs, coming from behind to take down ACT despite being outhit eight to six

Victoria took an early lead after an aggressive start on the basepaths, stealing multiple bags, before wild pitches and throwing errors allowed two runs to cross the plate.

The Roos had a quick reply.

Conor Stewart’s two-RBI double tied it up and quickly brought ACT back into the game.

They kept the pressure on, extending their lead to 5-2 in the top of the third after Aidan Corkill doubled, and Victoria commited some costly errors, each scoring a run for the Roos.

However, Victoria flipped the game on it’s head in the bottom of the third, scoring seven runs on three hits to take a 9-5 lead. Lucas Joel paved the way with a 3-RBI double that eventually had the half inning ended due to the mercy-run rule.

It still wasn’t enough to keep the Roos quiet.

Owen Monoghan’s single created the opportunity for Lincoln Barrett and Jackson Schneider to score on Victorian throwing errors. It brought the score to 7-9 before Aidan Corkill’s RBI single brought ACT within one run.

Victoria added some insurance runs from a walk and a wild pitch. Cruize Chase brought the score to 11-8 with a sacrifice fly.

Oscar Rey-Benguigui smacked an RBI double to add one more to the Roos’ tally, but it wasn’t enough to get their first win.

Victoria improve to 4-1 and have secured a top four spot. They will play finals from Sunday.

They have one game remaining vs NSW country before finals.

ACT drop to 0-4. They are still in search of their first win.

ACT ROOS

HITS (10): S. Kobayashi, O. Monoghan (2), A. Corkill, E. Everett (2), O. Rey-Benguigui, C. Stewart.

RBI (4): O. Monoghan, A. Corkill, E. Everett, T. Sims, O. Maher.

VICTORIA

HITS (6): J. Northfield (2), S. Stafilis, P. Halasz, L. Joel, G. Steer.

RBI: S. Stafilis (2), C. Chase, C. Potts, C. Morris (2), J Burton, L. Joel, E. Bush

NSW C 9 def SA 5 | New South Wales Country shake up the tournament and prove that a playoff spot of their own is well within reach as they take down South Australia.

Hugh Kelly was one shy of a cycle as he led NSW Country’s way to take down SA. He doubled in the second inning, singled in the third inning, and tripled in the fourth.

It was the bottom of NSWC’s lineup that was the most threatening. Jackson Leighton, Austin Turner, and Hugh Kelly combines for seven of the team’s thirteen hits. They each had two RBI’s.

NSW scored all nine of their runs in innings two, three, and four.

The most notable contributions were from Austin Turner and Jackson Leighton. Turner’s RBI triple (below) was the hit that gave NSW the lead, and they never looked back. Leighton’s two-RBI double solidified their lead, 5-2.

A few wild pitches and errors allowed two more runs to cross for the country kids. 7-2.

Hugh Kelly added another with a mighty RBI triple. He was backed up by Austin Turner who drove him in. 9-2.

SA scored three unanswered runs to bring the score to 9-5, but couldn’t complete the comeback.

NSW Country

HITS: T. Bragg, R. Coombes, K Gilbert (2), L. Gardner (2), H. Kelly (3), A. Turner (2), J. Leighton (2),

RBI: C. Stark, J. Cruz, H. Kelly (2), A. Turner (2), J. Leighton (2).

QLD 10 def WA 4 | Logan Lokeni leads Queensland to overcome playoff position holding Western Australia in hot heat

NSW 15 def  WA 5 | New South Wales clinch their finals position after a domination against WA

NSW came out the gates firing, after a Mitch Howay RBI double put up the first run of the game.

WA replied quickly and took the lead. Jayden Woods knocked an RBI double down the left field line to tie it up, before taking a 2-1 lead from a wild pitch.

But New South Wales didn’t take long to regain their advantage. Stockdale ripped a two RBI double to grab the lead. 3-2.

They added to their tally in the top of the third inning following an RBI single from Daniel Price, and a sacrifice fly off the bat of Owen Hart.

NSW solidified their lead in the sixth, scoring three runs from RBI walks, before a two-RBI single via Jesse Hanrahan.

They stayed aggressive on the base paths all night, amassing ten stolen bases. Their defense backed it up by not committing a single error.

Creamer and Murdoch combined out of the NSW bullpen to throw 4.0 innings of shutout baseball. They struck out three each.

NEW SOUTH WALES

HITS: B. Stockdale, M. Howay (2), J. Hanrahan, A. Bennetts, D. Price.

RBI: B. Stockdale (2), J. Kelly, N. Nash (2), M. Howay, J. Hanrahan (2), O. Hart, A. Bennetts (2), D. Price

WESTERN AUSTRALIA

HITS: E. Takuta, C. Truong, E. Raymond, J. Woods, J. Trainer, O. Barber, S. Lemieux, N. Mills, H. Jenkins

WA 20 def NSW C 5 | Western Australia roll past NSW Country with homeruns flying out of the park on Friday night

WA’s elite hitting proved to be the defining part of this one.

Eita Sakumara, Cooper Barber, and Cameron Bahr all hit long balls to ensure the win. The three combined for nine of WA’s twenty runs scored.

Sakumara’s (pictured below) homer came early in the first inning. He was backed up by an RBI single from Thomas Williams and gave themselves an early 2-0 lead.

WA added another eight runs on just four hits in the bottom of the third inning. Cooper Barber’s homerun scoring two of these.

Cameron Bahr’s three-run homer in the bottom of the fourth inning helped Western Australia put up another seven runs.

NSW Country attempted a comeback. It was Cohen Ryan leading the charge with a two-run homerun of his own.

WA accumulated sixteen hits in the game. Golding, Branch, and Bahr all collected three hits. Golding and Bahr were the toughest to handle. They were back-to-back on the lineup, and both drove in four runs.

They were strong defensively too, not recording a single error on the game.

WA’s starter Zai Gordon threw two innings of shutout baseball. He allowed just one hit while putting down four NSW C batters on strikes.

WA

HITS: E. Sakumara, C. Bahr (3), L. Golding (3), T. Williams (2), C. Barber, C. Bensemen, C. Branch (3), B. Hannam (2)

RBI: E. Sakumara (2), C. Bahr (4), L. Golding (4), T. Williams (3), C. Barber (3), C. Branch, J. Vlasic

NSW 14 def QUEENSLAND 4 | Fatu drives in five as New South Wales improve to 2-0

New South Wales raced out to an early 9-0 lead and never looked back in a 14-5 victory over Queensland.

The win capped off a long day. New South Wales played their first game at 8:30AM and last at 7:00PM.

They finish with a 2-0 record and sit pretty in first place before tomorrow’s double-header.

Draven Fatu (below) played a central role. The catcher drove in a run in each of his four plate appearances, going 2-for-4 with 4 RBI.

New South Wales scored six in the first off Tirrell Waiwai and three in the second.

Queensland scored four of the next five runs to cut the lead to 10-4 heading into the fifth, but New South Wales brought the hammer down by adding another four in the last.

Kobe Cusbert, Bailey Richards and Fletcher Willard looked strong on the mound for the winners.

New South Wales tallied 11 hits in the game. Ryan Chou, Franke. Clarke, Fatu and Ryan Reekie each had two. Ashton Kennedy had three. Walks.

Coleby Ryerson and Tylah Laurie each had two hits for Queensland. Alonzo Griffin drove in a run.

NEW SOUTH WALES

HITS (11): Frank Clarke (2), Draven Fatu (2), Ryan Chou (2), Ryan Reekie (2), Tahlan Cavill, Liam Worne, Kobe Cusbert

RBI: Cusbert, Cavill (2), Worne (2), Fatu (5), Chou, Reekie (3)

QUEENSLAND

Hits (7): Colebey Ryerson (2), Alonzo Zaire Griffin, Kobi Wise, Lachie Pawsey, Tyler Laurie

RBI (1): Griffin

Seven games completed on Day 2 of the Australian Youth Championships, and we saw a bit of everything!

Recaps and some highlights are below.

Don’t forget to follow us on socials via baseball.com.au and through our Hub at www.baseball.com.au/ayc2026. Our full schedule can be found there, too.

For select highlights, visit us on YouTube. You can watch replays on Baseball+.

Day 2 Schedule and Results

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– NSW Country 16 def ACT Roos 5
– NSW 10 def Queensland 3

– South Australia 13 def ACT Roos 5
– Victoria 11 def Queensland 9

– Western Australia 21 def South Australia 0
– New South Wales 12 def Victoria 11

– South Australia 5 TIE Western Australia 5

CURRENT STANDINGS – END OF DAY 2

Top 4 make finals

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

RECAPS

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NSW Country 16 def ACT Roos 5 | Every player in line-up contributes in massive NSW Country win

New South Wales Country came out swinging during their runaway victory to even up their record at one.

Country scored 16 runs off 15 hits.

All nine players in the starting line-up reached base, eight different players had a hit and an RBI.

Riley Coombes and Cooper Stark led the offensive barrage with three hits each.

A pair of bases clearing triples gave two seperate leads to the Country kids.

The first came in the first inning, when Hugh Kelly delivered a two-out bases clearing triple to open the scoring. 3-0.

The next came in the second inning, when Coombes sent a bases clearing triple to left, breaking a 4-4 tie. It was three of his game-leading four RBI.

It helped New South Wales flip the game after they started the second down 4-3.

Corey Daniels had a third triple. Watch them below.

You can read about who had all the hits below.

Shout out to Jackson Leighton who fired off 2.0 innings of hitless, shutout relief. Jakob Cruz started for Country, allowing five runs off three hits.

The Roos scored four runs in the second to take a temporary 4-3 lead.

Country improve to 1-1 while the Roos fire to 0-2.

NSW COUNTRY

Hits (15):  Riley Coombes (3), Cooper Stark (3), Austin Turner (2), Corey Daniels (2), Liam Gardner, Wes Dove, Hugh Kelly

RBI: Coombes (4), Kelly (3), Gardner (2), Daniels, Evans, Turner, Dove

ACT ROOS

Hits (5): Oscar Rey-Benguigui, Seth Lutton, Oscar Monaghan, Beckett Shanks, Ollie Mahar
RBI: Shanks, Mahar, Rey-Benguigui, Lutton

New South Wales 10 def Queensland 3 | New South Wales score seven in the fourth to improve to 2-0

New South Wales broke the game open with a seven run fourth inning en route to their second win of the tournament.

Beau Stockdale, Mitch Howay and Daniel Price each had two-RBI base hits for New South Wales in the run-away inning.

Before that, Queensland had a 2-1 lead thanks to Buzz Mecham plating a pair in the third.

Ten different players on New South Wales recorded a hit, led by Owen Hart and Stockdale with two.

Hart (2.1 IP), Jack Phegan (3.1 IP) and Harrison Thomas-McLean (0.1 IP) combined to allow six hits, two earned runs and three walks in a winning pitching effort.

Will Bain was solid for Queensland in his 2.2 innings of work, allowing two hits and one run.

NEW SOUTH WALES

Hits (12): Jack Kelly, Noah Nash, Mitch Howay, Owen Hart (2), Alex Bennetts, Nick Rowley, Daniel Price (2), Roman Ellis, Jesse Hanrahan, Beau Stockdale (2)

RBI: Nash, Howarth (2), Bennetts, Price (2), Stockdale

QUEENSLAND

Hits (6): Thomas White, Buzz Mecham, Logan Lokeni, Ashton Wise, Xavier Honsa, Tyson Weavell

SOUTH AUSTRALIA 13 vs ACT ROOS 5 | Alice Brown makes history, SA explode for seven late runs to secure first win of the tournament

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At one point South Australia held just a narrow 6-5 advantage. That is, until they exploded for seven runs in a behemoth fifth inning.

Levi Burns, Liam Trembath, Ricky Ferris and Sebastian Bravo all had RBI base hits in the swing inning.

Before that, it was a back-and-forth affair.

Oscar Rey-Benguigui gave the Roos an early 1-0 advantage in the first. The Roos have led in all three games they’ve played.

Ricky Ferris and Hugo Costa produced back-to-back doubles to put South Australia up 3-1 in the second.

The Roos, off the back of a Jackson Schneider triple, tied the game at three in bottom of the second.

South Australia and the Roos traded runs in the third and fourth innings, with SA taking a 6-5 advantage heading into the eventual seven-run fifth.

Alice Brown made history in her start. She became the first girl to ever play for South Australia. Brown threw 3.0 innings, allowing four hits, four runs (two earned) with no walks.

Angas Rivett and Ollie Alexander tossed the final three innings, yielding just two hits and one run.

Ferris led South Australia with two hits.

Hamish Willemsen and Rey-Benguigui had two hit performances for the Roos, who fall to 0-3.

South Australia (1-1) play Western Australia in a pivotal match-up tonight on Baseball+.

SOUTH AUSTRALIA

Hits (8): Ricky Ferris (2), Hugo Costa, Sebastian Bravo, Logan Stephens, Ollie Alexander, Levi Burns, Liam Trembath

RBI: Ferris (2), Bravo (2), Coasta, Ollie Breach, Stephens, Alexander, Burns, Trembath

ROOS

Hits (6): Oscar Rey-Benguigui, Hamish Willemsen (2), Jackson Schneider, Lincoln Barrett
RBI: Schneider, Aiden Corkill, Barrett, Rey-Benguigui

VICTORIA 11 def QUEENSLAND 9 | Victoria dominate early, hold on late, to stay keep unbeaten record alive

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Every player in Victoria’s line-up recorded a hit in another offensive masterpiece by the hosts.

Victoria combined for 14 hits in a win over Queensland to stay perfect in first place with a 3-0 record.

Victoria started hot and held on late. They exploded for seven runs in the first inning, thanks to RBI base hits from Thomas Hill, Parks Halasz and Bodhi Evans.

Queensland came home strong, scoring three runs in the sixth inning to move within two runs.

Oscar Shimakura (below), Bodhi Evans, Jack Thomas, Thomas Hill and George Steer each had two hits for the Victorians.

Shimakura leads the tournament with five hits.

Buzz Mecham and Kai Flynn-Ballard each had two hits for Queensland. Flynn-Ballard led the team with 2-RBI.

Queensland drop to 1-2, Victoria improve to 3-0.

VICTORIA

Hits (14): Oscar Shimakura (2), Bodhi Evans (2), Jack Thomas (2), Thomas Hill (2), Parks Halasz, Cruize Chase, Chase Potts, George Steer, Jack Northfield

RBI: Halasz (2), Chase (2), Evans (2), Shimakura, Hill, Potts, Steer, Northfield

QUEENSLAND

Hits (7): Will Bain, Buzz Mecham (2), Ashton Wise, Kai Flynn-Ballard (2), Logan Lokeni

RBI: Flynn-Ballard (2), Lokeni, Mecham, Bain, Leigh, Hill

New South Wales 12 def Victoria 8 | New South Wales are the last unbeaten team after pulling away late vs Victoria

In the battle of the undefeated, New South Wales came out on top.

The two heavy weights played it close through four innings before the victors ran away with a seven run maximum fifth inning.

After New South Wales went up 12-4, Victoria responded with a seven run inning of their own in the bottom of the sixth but were legally unable to score more due to the run-per-inning rule.

New South Wales took advantage of a series of walks and errors in the big inning.

With the bat, Noah Nash continued his impressive tournament. The New South Welshman went 2-for-3 with a walk. Daniel Gereaux also collected two hits. Beau Stockdale led the team with 2-RBI.

The game was knotted at 2-2 until the fourth inning. A Stockdale double, Jack Kelly single, and Cooper Smith sacrifice fly pushed the lead out to 5-2 for New South Wales.

Victoria responded with a pair of runs in the bottom of the inning.

Oscar Shimakura had another huge effort at the plate. The 15-year-old Victorian logged three hits and leads the tournament with eight. Jackson Burton drove in four runs in a loss. Edison Bush went 2-for-2 with 2 RBI.

New South Wales entered the last inning up 12-4 before Victoria attempted late charge, plating seven runs in the last inning before the game was called due to scoring the maximum in an inning.

Victoria used five pitchers in the loss. Cale Morris threw 3.0 innings, allowing three hits and one earned run in his start.

Noah Nash started for New South Wales, going 2.1 innings with two runs allowed and four strikeouts. Rowley, Seoyong Kim and Jack Drummond pitched the remainder of the innings.

Both teams made three errors.

NEW SOUTH WALES

Hits (8): Noah Nash (2), Jack Kelly, Owen Hart, Daniel Gereuax (2), Austin Murdoch, Beau Stockdale

RBI: Stockdale (2), Murdoch, Kelly, Cooper Smith

VICTORIA

Hits (8): Oscar Shimakura (3), Jacob Tayler, Jackson Burton, Jack Northfield, Lucas Joel, Edison Bush (2),

RBI: Burton (4), Northfield, Bush (2)

WESTERN AUSTRALIA 21 def NSW COUNTRY 0 | Three seven run innings catapult WA to their first win of the tournament

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Western Australia dominated from the moment the umpire said ‘Play Ball!’

Ten players combined for 16 hits in the Westerners first win of the tournament.

Thomas Massimini led all batters with a 3-for-4 + 2 RBI effort.

Rylan Ottoway drove in four runs off his two hits.

Flynn Hennessy, Riley Lines, Kobi Scaife, and Hudson Ostaszewskyj all ripped off two hits as well.

On the mound, Western Australia were just as dominating. Noah McCabe tossed 2.2 innings, allowing one hit and no runs. Jayden Woods pitched 2.1 innings, allowing three hits with one strikeout.

Corey Daniels led New South Wales Country with two hits.

Western Australia improve to 1-1, facing South Australia on Thursday night. New South Wales Country drop to 1-2.

WESTERN AUSTRALIA

Hits (16): Thomas Massimini (3), Flynn Hennessy (2), Riley Lines (2), Kobi Scaife (2), Rylan Ottoway (2), Hudson Ostaszewskyj (2), Chayce Humble, Cooper Truong, Jake Coorey

RBI: Ottoway (4), Truong, Hennessy (2), Eban Raymond, Lines (2), Corey, Humble (2), Ostaszewskyj (2), Massimini (2)

NEW SOUTH WALES COUNTRY

Hits (4): Corey Daniels (2), Tennyson Bragg, Kirk Gilbert

WESTERN AUSTRALIA 5 TIE SOUTH AUSTRALIA 5 | Heck of a ball game ends in a tie

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Western Australia and South Australia traded shots all night. Nobody won, nobody lost.

On paper, not much separates these two teams. Same with the scoreline.

Western Australia scored first in the bottom of the third, taking advantage of some errors.

They were threatening before but pitcher Felix Oliver snagged a line drive and doubled off the runner at third.

That play totally changed the momentum of the game because South Australia jumped in the lead in the fifth inning, scoring four runs. Hugh Costa doubled in a pair, James Dallman hit a sacrifice fly, and Arky Vingelis-Plant drew a walk.

Western Australia responded with three of their own in the bottom of the fifth.

Jake Cooley tripled in a pair of runs to tie the game. A wild pitch gave them the lead.

In the sixth inning, and down to the final out, James Dallman singled down the left field line to tie the game.

Western Australia had the winning run aboard in the bottom of the last but couldn’t score.

Flynn Hennessy was excellent for WA.  He surrendered one hit and zero runs over 3.1 innings. Finn Fuller allowed five hits and two runs (one earned) over three innings, striking out two.

Each team had nine hits and seven walks.

Both teams go to bed tied with a 1-1-1 record in third place.

WESTERN AUSTRALIA

Hits (9): Rylan Ottoway (2), Arata Samukawa, Flynn Hennessy, Chayce Humble, Jake Coorey, Ollie Barber

RBI: Jake Coorey (2)

SOUTH AUSTRALIA

Hits (9): Sebastian Bravo, Hugo Costa (2), Ollie Breach (2), James Dallman, Isaac Giro, Arky Vingelis-Plan

RBI: Costa (2), Dallman (2), Vingelis-Plant

Friday is looking like another scorcher.

With potential temperatures reaching 40+ degrees, Baseball Australia has decided to alter the schedule to avoid playing in the hottest point of the day.

On Friday 9 January, games will run at all venues at 8:30AM (up from 9:00AM), 10:45 AM and 6:30PM. That means we avoid the heat, keep the kids safe, and leave lots of room for an afternoon siesta.

The schedule has been adjusted on Saturday to catch up from missed games on Wednesday and Friday.

The new fixture can be found here and via the Hub.

Thank you all for understanding.

For full tournament coverage visit www.baseball.com.au/ayc2026

 

The Under 16s completed four games in sweltering morning conditions to start the Australian Youth Championships on Wednesday morning.

With a forecast of 43 degrees by 3:00PM, play was called around 12:45PM at both Preston and Essendon.

Below are mini recaps of the day.

Don’t forget to follow us on socials via baseball.com.au and through our Hub at www.baseball.com.au/ayc2026.

For select highlights, visit us on YouTube. You can watch replays on Baseball+.

RESULTS

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Day 1 Schedule – January 7

– Queensland 13 def Roos 3
– Victoria 5 def South Australia 4
– New South Wales 12 vs New South Wales Country 1
– Victoria 9 def Western Australia 4

STANDINGS

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

Watch games from Essendon live and free on Baseball+ via App Store or plus.baseball.com.au.

RECAPS

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Queensland 13 def Roos 3: Queensland score 12 unanswered to start tournament with a bang

It wasn’t as easy as the scoreline suggested but Queensland started their tournament with a come-from-behind win in 30+ degree heat at 8:30 in the morning.

The Roos tested Queensland early, poking out to a 3-1 lead in the second inning. Then, Queensland scored twelve unanswered runs, plating seven runs in the third, three in the fourth and two in the fifth.

Their seven run third was the critical inning.

Logan Lokani, Beau Cole, Chase Crew, Tyson Weavell, Thomas White, and Buzz Mecham all recorded hits. Weavell’s pinch-hit two-RBI single put Queensland up 4-3 and Mecham cashed in a pair of runs to reach the seven run maximum.

Zavier Leigh had a standout game. He went 3-for-3 with 2 RBI, a walk and a great over-the-shoulder catch in right field.

All 20 players hit the field for Queensland. Ambrose Ryan (2.0 IP), Sammy Plum (2.0 IP) and Xavier Honsa (1.0 IP) did not allow an earned run. Honsa led the team with two strikeouts.

For the Roos, Owen Monaghan, Ethan Everett and Hamish Willemsen all had hits. Willemsen had a nice catch and an RBI.

ROOS

Hits (3): Monaghan, Everett, Willemsen
RBI: Willemsen

QUEENSLAND

Hits (10): Leigh (3), Mecham (2), White, Lokeni, Cole, Crew, Weavell
RBI: Lewis Hill (2), Weavell (2), Mechem (2), Bain, Crew

VICTORIA 5 def SOUTH AUSTRALIA 4: Victoria score three in the last to stun South Australia

Victoria battled back from two runs down in the last inning to narrowly edge South Australia at Preston.

Entering the sixth and final inning down 4-2, the tournament hosts turned it on. Oscar Shimakura delivered an RBI single to cut the score to 4-3. Jackson Burton tied the game with a single of his own.

Parks Halasz provided a sacrifice fly to give Victoria a 5-4 advantage. Shimakura registered the save, recording the final two outs.

The game was an epic arm-wrestle.

Arky Vingelis-Plant opened the scoring in the second for South Australia with an RBI single.

Sam Stafilis hit the first homer of the tournament for Victoria to tie the game at one.

Oliver Breach gave SA the lead, 2-1, in the bottom of the third.

Halasz had his first RBI of the day to tie the game at two in the fifth.

South Australia scored two in the bottom of the fifth to lead 4-2. Then came the late game dramatics.

Jackson Burton led Victoria with three hits. Shimakura and Halasz each had two.

Sebastian Bravo led South Australia with two hits.

James Dallman tossed 3.2 innings for South Australia, allowing just one run.

Thomas started for Victoria, allowing one earned run in 3.1 innings.

SOUTH AUSTRALIA

Hits (8):  Sebastian Bravo (2), James Dallman, Liam Trembath, Oliver Breach, Hugo Costa, Arky Vingelis-Plant, Levi Burns
RBI: Dallman, Vingelis-Plan

VICTORIA

Hits (10): Jackson Burton (3), Oscar Shimakura (2), Parks Halasz (2), Jacob Tayler, Sam Stafilis, Ollie Allen
RBI: Halasz (2), Stafilis
HR: Stafilis

VICTORIA 9 def WESTERN AUSTRALIA 4: Victoria sitting pretty after undefeated start 

Victoria are the only 2-0 team after sweeping double-header at Preston.

The Vics systematically built a 9-0 advantage through four innings and never turned back. They did all their scoring off of just five hits.

Jack Thomas had two hits and two RBI to lead the charge.

Western Australia scored all four runs in the fifth and final inning.

Victoria’s pitching was dominant up until that point. They no-hit WA through the first four innings. Cruize Chase tossed 2.1 innings with two strikeouts, and Jack Northfield followed with two shutout innings of his own.

VICTORIA

Hits (5): Jack Thomas (2), Daniel Hwang, Oscar Shimakura, Jackson Burton
RBI: Thomas Hill (4), Jack Thomas (2), Shimakura, Burton

WESTERN AUSTRALIA

Hits (4): Chayce Humble, Flynn Hennessy, Riley Lines, Jake Corey

NEW SOUTH WALES 12 def NEW SOUTH WALES COUNTRY 1: Noah Nash homers, New South Wales relentless in opening win

Noah Nash led a New South Wales offensive onslaught in their tournament opening win.

Nash homered to open the scoring the first inning to open the account and New South Wales never looked back. Nash finished with three hits and two RBI in the dominating victory.

Alex Bennetts drove in a pair of runs to push the lead to 3-0 after one. Daniel Price and Mitch Howay each knocked in two runs in a four-run second. 7-0.

Nash and Bennetts padded their stat lines by each driving in a run in the third. Bennetts finished with two hits and a game-leading three RBI.

Owen Hart walked four times for New South Wales.

Brock Moore drove in Country’s only run.

On the mound, Jet Creamer struck out four in 1.2 innings. Jack Phegan tossed 2.1 perfect shutout innings. Seyeon Kim tossed an inning, allowing just one run.

NEW SOUTH WALES COUNTRY

Hits (4): Liam Gardner, Tennyson Bragg, Brock Moore, Cooper Stark
RBI: Moore

NEW SOUTH WALES 

Hits (10): Noah Nash (3), Alex Bennetts (2), Daniel Price (2), Austin Murdoch, Mitch Howay, Jack Kelly
RBI: Bennetts (3), Nash (2), Howay (2), Price (2), Harrison Thomas-McLean (2), Austin Murdoch
HR: Nash

Baseball Australia has made the proactive decision to adjust the start of the 2026 Australian Youth Championships in Melbourne.

With heat forecasted of 40+ degrees on Wednesday 7 January, Baseball Australia has shortened Day 1 of the tournament and altered the schedule. Game times have also been moved up earlier in the day.

The new schedule can be found here, or in the image below. Make sure you follow the Tournament Hub at www.baseball.com.au/ayc2026 for full tournament coverage and updates.

The U16 and U18 Australian National Baseball Championships is one of the country’s best junior sporting events.

Called the Australian Youth Championships (AYC), the best young players come to the country and compete for state pride.

It’s an event which brings out pure passion from players who are representing something bigger than themselves – their club, their community, their family and importantly…their state.

Global talent scouters will have their eye on the event.

College coaches, professional scouts and high-performance staff watch closely, searching for the next wave of Australian talent ready to take the next step.

This year’s event, held 7–15 January in Melbourne, is again set to attract significant attention.

HUB: All your information for the 2026 AYC

While the primary focus of the teams and their players is winning a national title, scouts from at least 16 Major League Baseball (MLB) clubs have confirmed their attendance at the event, with others watching from afar, making it one of the most heavily scouted junior sporting tournaments in the region.

That level of interest regularly translates into opportunity. Just last year, Mitch Evans and Robinson Smith signed professional contracts shortly after the Championships.

The college pathway is equally active.

More than 100 Australians are currently playing college baseball in the United States, and over the last three years, over 65 players alone have committed to college programs directly after appearing at AYC.

While the total number of schools tracking the event is impossible to quantify, Baseball Australia provides every college coach who asks with complete game footage and detailed player clips, ensuring no athlete goes unseen.

A major driver of that visibility is Baseball Australia’s partnership with Synergy Sports, who film and tag every pitch of the tournament.

Through the agreement, Synergy sends two operators to Melbourne, generating the data and video that the High Performance team uses to create individual player reels.

“Those videos are then shared with MLB teams and college programs, allowing decision-makers to evaluate Australian talent with the same tools they rely on in the United States,” says Andrew Riddell, Baseball Australia’s Player Development Manager. “The partnership has transformed how Australian athletes are scouted and recruited. It’s massive for the pathway.”

The Championships are also one of the most watched events in the country.

All games stream free on Baseball+, drawing close to 3,000 viewers per game, while the tournament’s dedicated AYC Hub records more than 20,000 page views across the week. Social media coverage on Baseball.com.au reaches around 400,000 unique accounts with over 2 million impressions throughout the week.

For players, families and community members, it means every standout moment reaches far beyond the ballpark.

Since 2024, 49 players have either signed professionally or committed to US colleges after competing at AYC — and with big interest again this year, that total is poised to grow.

In 2025, a record number of Australians played Division I baseball (24).

Follow along the 2026 version of the tournament via the AYC Hub: www.baseball.com.au/ayc2026. Team previews and rosters are now posted.

 

South Australia has turned into a bit of a baseball hot-bed as of late.

They were one of two states in 2025 to medal in both divisions – Gold at U16 and Bronze at U18.

They are the back-to-back U16 Girls champions.

They also hold the last two Australians to reach the major leagues. Their ABL side has won two of the last three Claxton Shields.

ALL TEAM ROSTERS AT TOURNAMENT HUB: 2026 AYC Information 

It’s a small community, but one that prides itself on outperforming their participation numbers.

How will South Australia’s gold medal group perform up an age group? Will an entirely new U16 squad be able to handle national championship pressure?

Your South Australian roster and preview is below.

U18 SOUTH AUSTRALIA: CONNECTED, CONFIDENT, AND CHASING A MEDAL

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2025 Result: Bronze

2025 Result: Bronze

South Australia enters the Australian Youth Championships with a U18 group that knows what this stage demands — and believes it belongs here.

Led by team manager Chris Sims, this is a program with experience and continuity. Sims is overseeing his fifth AYC campaign, and the familiarity shows in how this group has prepared and how it carries itself.

Preparation for this tournament has been ongoing for months. The off-season never really stopped, with players juggling heavy state league schedules, high-performance sessions, and recovery blocks. As December progressed, the focus narrowed.

“Back end of December we start to work on the team defence side of things and lock in on specific AYC prep more,” Sims said.

They’ll also be travelling to Victoria to play a friendship series between Christmas and New Years for extra preparation.

The expectations are clear.

“We expect to make it out of the pool rounds and compete for a medal,” said Sims.

What sets this group apart is not just talent, but connection.

Many of these players have grown through the system together — a product of South Australia’s smaller baseball community — and that familiarity has turned into confidence.

“Our biggest strength is the connection this group has,” Sims said. “They’ve all played together for a long time… they’ve now also won together and have confidence they can perform at this event.”

Return player Owen Couzner agrees.

“It’s honestly a brotherhood — we all get along really well,” he said.

A large portion of this year’s group went undefeated in the U16 Division in 2025 en route to a Gold Medal. Now, they bump up a level.

Toby Kortekaas, a return U18 player, says he is looking forward to having an influx of champions on the team.

“A lot of the players on our team know what it’s like to play in the gold medal game and that will be a huge strength to our confidence,” he exclaimed.

That connection feeds directly into the team culture.

Training sessions are driven as much by the players as the staff.

“We have a strong player-led culture,” Sims said. “Guys aren’t afraid to speak up around standards and expectations we have set ourselves.”

On the field, the biggest jump has come offensively.

Over the past month, the lineup has taken a noticeable step forward, both in production and intent.

“Our offence has taken a big step forward over the past four to six weeks,” Sims said. “Guys are producing good numbers locally and are locked into getting their work in during practice and at West Beach on non-practice days.”

That offensive growth has been supported by clear focus areas at training. Hitters have been drilled on plate approach, while the pitching staff has worked heavily on command and efficiency.

“We’ve focused on plate approach for our hitters along with two-pitch command and efficiency for our pitching staff,” Sims said. “We’ve also worked on improving the overall fitness base across the group.”

Roster construction reflected both strategy and conditions. With U18s returning to metal bats, Sims and his staff anticipated increased offence across the tournament.

“You would expect to see a spike in offence this January,” Sims said. “Having more pitching depth was a factor in our selections.”

South Australia has expanded to 20 players, up from 18 last year, with additional arms added to manage workloads across a demanding schedule.

Several players are primed to make a statement on the national stage. On the mound, Sims points to Deakin Filko as a tone-setter. Filko pitched for Australia at the recent U18 World Cup.

“If Deak can keep his pitch count efficiency in check, he will have a very good tournament,” Sims said. “He’s touched 90 in our winter programs and has plus off-speed to complement.”

Offensively, Taj Williams is a name to watch.

“He’s put a body of work in over the off-season and has been holding down shortstop for one of the better State League teams in Adelaide at just 16 years of age. Expect him to play a key role on the left side of the diamond and in the heart of the lineup,” he says.

Another name to watch: Ollie Hayes. The newly turned 16-year-old won the MVP of the U16 bracket last year. How he translates to an age group above will play a big role in South Australia’s success.

At its core, this group reflects what South Australia continues to produce: connected players, strong work ethic, and shared belief.

“Small state,” Sims said. “Our kids all work hard together and have wonderful connection.”

With experience in the dugout, confidence in the group, and a clear goal in sight, South Australia enters the U18 Australian Youth Championships ready to compete — and ready to chase hardware.

THREE THINGS TO WATCH

1. Pitching depth in a metal-bat environment

With offence expected to rise across the tournament, South Australia’s decision to carry extra arms could be decisive. Managing workloads and winning bullpen innings will be key.

2. Offensive growth against elite competition

The SA lineup has taken a clear step forward locally. How that improved plate approach translates against the country’s best arms will shape their medal push.

3. Gold Medal Mettle

This is a confident, player-led group that isn’t afraid to hold standards. Many of these players were 2025 U16 Champions for a reason. Watch how they respond in tight games — their connection and shared history may be their biggest edge.

U16 SOUTH AUSTRALIA: A NEW GROUP, SAME STANDARD

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2025 Result: Gold Medal

Defending champion South Australia arrives at the Australian Youth Championships with a fresh-look U16 squad and a familiar expectation: compete hard, play the game the right way, and stay in the fight.

Coached by Marc Taintey, this year’s team is made up entirely of first-time AYC players.

That’s a big shift from last year’s gold-medal group, but Taintey believes the opportunity — not the pressure — is the driving force.

“All players this year are newcomers to AYC,” Taintey said. “The expectation is to compete, execute our strategy, and immerse ourselves in the experience that is an AYC. The results will be what they will be.”

That reality hasn’t been lost on the group, with many experiencing their first opportunity to represent South Australia at a national level.

“I have never left South Australia to play baseball… this is my first state team,” pitcher Ari Mundy said. “But I can’t wait to follow in the footsteps of others.”

That sense of opportunity is a consistent thread throughout the squad.

“I’m really keen to putting my talents on the stage at the AYCs this year,” shortstop Sebastian Bravo added.

Preparation has been thorough and deliberate.

South Australia’s pathway began back in July with a 40-player squad, narrowed to 20 by early November. Training has been consistent throughout, with two sessions a week and competitive games mixed in to keep players sharp.

One thing fans will notice early is how this team plays the game. Taintey has built the group around pitching, defence, and flexibility — a formula designed to keep SA competitive against anyone.

“Pitching and defence keeps you in ball games — especially at this age group,” he said. “We’ve focused on throwing strikes, limiting free runners, and making the routine plays.”

That focus is backed by depth. SA carries 16 pitchers, many of whom can also play other positions, giving the coaching staff options across a long tournament.

Offensively, there is speed and power at the top of the lineup, with players capable of creating pressure in different ways.

Culture has been another pillar of the build.

“It’s competitive and fun, with a real care factor for the team,” Taintey said. “There’s also some old-school discipline, so the group understands the privilege they’ve earned representing South Australia.”

It’s a sentiment players in the squad back up.

“A lot of us have played with and against each other for years, so we have pretty good chemistry,” outfielder Liam Trembath added.

Others echoed the same sentiment.

“Our skills and teamwork — we have each other’s backs and work hard,” Matthew Dunn said.

“We are a tight team unit,” Oliver Breach added.

Several players have positioned themselves as names to remember.

Hugo Costa brings size, speed, and raw athleticism as a two-way player.

James Dallmann offers versatility and competitiveness, able to impact games on the mound or in the field.

Will Stock provides offensive punch and edge, while Alice Brown gives SA reliability and calm on the mound as a consistent strike-thrower.

South Australia’s recent success at both AYC level and in the ABL continues to shape expectations within the program.

For Taintey, that history is about opportunity as much as outcome.

“It creates an understanding of what’s possible for athletes who are committed to their development,” he said.

A playoff berth is the goal, but the identity is clear: compete, execute, and earn every inning.

“I’d hope we can be part of the top four,” Taintey said.

THREE THINGS TO WATCH

1. Pitching depth over the tournament

With 16 pitchers and multiple two-way players, South Australia has the ability to spread innings and stay fresh late in the week — a major advantage at national championships.

2. Defensive execution

This team has been drilled on fundamentals. If SA is clean in the field and limits mistakes, they’ll stay in games against any opponent.

3. Emerging stars on the big stage

For many players, this will be their first taste of a national spotlight. Keep an eye on Costa, Dallmann, Stock and Brown as potential breakout performers.

The ACT Roos arrive at the Australian Youth Championships playing in both divisions for the first time.

It’s building off of last year’s pilot project, which saw the Roos compete in the U16 division.

The Roos are a composite team, formed from the next-best available players nominated by each state after final selections are made. The core of the team still lies with players from Canberra.

It’s a pathway designed to ensure talented athletes who narrowly miss out on their home state squads still receive national-level opportunity.

READ ALL PREVIEWS AT THE TOURNAMENT HUB: 2026 Australian Youth Championships

They’re not here to make up numbers. They’re here to win some games.

They’ll have to gel quickly. Each player is currently training with their respective state program and will meet their teammates for the first time the day before the tournament begins!

Let’s meet the players across the two divisions.

U16 ACT ROOS: OPPORTUNITY, UNITY, AND NOTHING TO LOSE

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The ACT Roos arrive at the Australian Youth Championships representing something rare within the national pathway — opportunity.

The Roos are a composite team, made up of the next-best available players from across every state, nominated after state selections are finalised. It’s a model designed to ensure talented athletes who narrowly miss out on their home state squads still gain meaningful national-level experience.

For many in this group, it’s an opportunity they don’t take lightly.

“Two years ago, these kids would be sitting at home on the couch in January,” head coach Kai Meuronen said. “Instead now, they’re playing at AYCs.”

Preparation for the Roos has looked different by necessity. Players have remained embedded in their state programs, with virtual meetings used to introduce the group and align expectations. ACT-based players have trained locally with Meuronen and staff prior to travelling.

Like the Roos themselves, expectations are framed differently.

“Of course we want to win games,” Meuronen said. “But our biggest emphasis is on opportunity. Our expectation is that every player makes the most of it — because it’s not something they should take for granted.”

That shared mindset is already shaping the group.

“We love being the underdog,” said Archer Walsh (Goodwood Baseball Club, SA). “We know other teams will underestimate us, so we’re looking forward to springing a few surprises and causing some upsets.”

Unity is something Meuronen believes will quickly become the Roos’ greatest weapon.

“A big learning from the Roos last year was how fast this group turns into brothers,” he said. “They’re all here for the same reason. They value the same opportunity. And they all have something to prove.”

That feeling is echoed by players who haven’t even shared a field yet.

“Being a composite team, the desire to show up for each other is huge,” said Blake Brennan (Golden Grove Central District Dodgers, SA). “We want to prove ourselves together.”

Culture will form rapidly once the tournament begins, but its foundations are already clear. The Roos have aligned closely with the Team Australia Foundations Document, using it as their guiding framework.

“We may not be a Team Australia team,” Meuronen said. “But we wear the same logo. Our values and actions need to reflect that.”

One of the most unique elements of this roster is the clean slate it offers.

“I haven’t seen the players yet — at all,” Meuronen said. “And that’s the beauty of it. No bias. No preconceptions. Everyone comes in and earns their role.”

That mindset resonates across the roster.

“I’m hungry for success after missing state selection,” said Ethan Everett (Essendon Baseball Club, VIC). “We’ve got nothing to lose.”

Roles, not reputations, will define how the Roos operate across the week.

“Everyone is going to have a role,” Meuronen said. “And no role is bigger or smaller than another.”

As for breakout players?

“Our whole roster,” Meuronen said. “Twenty kids who were all snubbed. Twenty kids with a point to prove.”

That edge is exactly how the Roos want it.

“We are going to cause some chaos,” Meuronen said. “We’re the best of every state — and we have nothing to lose.”

THREE THINGS TO WATCH

1. Unity that forms fast

History shows Roos teams bond quickly. Shared opportunity has a way of accelerating trust.

2. Roles over reputations

With no hierarchy carried in, execution within assigned roles will define the Roos’ success.

3. The chaos factor

A roster full of motivated, overlooked players is unpredictable and dangerous.

U18 ACT ROOS: OPPORTUNITY, ADAPTABILITY, AND A TEAM STILL TO BE DISCOVERED

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Chris Rickard can feel an air of excitement around the A.C.T. Roos.

“For me personally, I’m excited and pleased to be given the opportunity to lead this team,” head coach Chris Rickard said. “For the players, it’s a chance to come together, bond, and compete daily at the Championships.”

Preparation for the Roos looks different by design.

Players have remained embedded within their local state performance pathway programs, arriving tournament-ready despite not yet training together in person.

“They’ve been working with their state high-performance coaches to get to tournament readiness,” Rickard said.

That reality hasn’t dulled motivation.

“Everybody likes an underdog and all the boys will have something to prove,” said Flynn Starkey (Redlands Baseball, Queensland), a pitcher and first baseman bringing extensive national and international experience into the group
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Kai Harris (Forest Baseball Club / Manly Eagles, NSW) agrees.

“We’re underdogs, so hopefully we can upset some teams,” said Harris, a shortstop who has already competed at national level.

Rickard believes flexibility may become the Roos’ greatest on-field strength.

“We’ve got a lot of utility players,” he said. “That gives us options in the field and helps keep arms fresh through pitching rotations.”

It’s a dynamic that players understand and embrace.

“That we have no idea what anyone can do until we meet in Melbourne — it’s all new,” said Samuel Barden (Turramurra Kissing Point Angels / Manly State League, NSW). “That first session will be very interesting”
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Culture is still forming, but the excitement to compete is already clear.

“The team is excited to come together and compete,” Rickard said.

Several players echoed that anticipation.

“I won’t meet my team until the day before the tournament begins,” said William Matthews (Southern Districts Baseball Club, SA). “But that’s part of the challenge.”

For others, the Roos represent resilience and renewal.

“I’m hungry for success after missing state selection,” said Aiden Riddle (Greater Western Baseball, NSW). “I’ve got grit and motivation to win”

“Having talents from across Australia could really help us perform,” said Owen Hughes (Golden Grove Central Districts).

Behind the plate, Dominic Hamilton (Weston Creek Indians, ACT) brings leadership and national-level experience.

“There’s lots of knowledge and experience from multiple states,” Hamilton said. “That could be a real advantage.”

THREE THINGS TO WATCH

1. How fast chemistry forms

This group won’t have long to settle, but shared opportunity often accelerates connection.

2. Versatility across the diamond

Utility players give the Roos flexibility to adapt lineups, pitching roles, and matchups.

3. Underdog energy

A team full of overlooked players can be unpredictable — and dangerous.

New South Wales Country arrives at the Australian Youth Championships bound by something stronger than postcode or club colours – a shared commitment to the game.

For these players, a love of the game is forged across long drives, early mornings, and a genuine passion for community and sport.

This is a team drawn from one of the largest geographic footprints in the tournament.

READ ALL PREVIEWS AT THE TOURNAMENT HUB: 2026 Australian Youth Championships

Teammates don’t live around the corner from each other. Training often means hours on the road at local clubs. But that distance has shaped, rather than fractured, the groups.

It’s a wild pre-tournament schedule for the kids. The U18 Country Championships are in Wollongong, the Senior Championships are in Lismore, regional training sessions are held in various country regions, team trainings are held in Newcastle, Gosford and Sydney.

The distance? Immense.

With players rounded out from NSW Metro, both Country sides will try to find unity quickly.

Let’s meet each of the teams.

U18 NSW COUNTRY: TOGETHER, NO MATTER THE DISTANCE

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“We cover a large area,” coach Ian Hook said. “The players have to love the game, because they spend a lot of time travelling to get to training and to games.”

Hook has seen it all.

With 22 years coaching Country programs across multiple age groups, he understands how rare it is to turn scattered talent into a connected team, and how powerful it can be when it clicks.

Training has been deliberate rather than constant.

NSW Country has come together fortnightly since October, focusing on fundamentals, trust, and confidence.

“We’re aiming to make top four,” Hook said. “Anything can happen then.”

The blueprint is simple and intentional. NSW Country will rely on pitchers attacking the zone, defenders making plays, and hitters putting the ball in play.

“Pitchers to throw strikes. Good defence. Making good contact,” Hook said.

Those priorities have translated quickly, particularly in the field.

“Good defence,” Hook said, when asked about the biggest improvement since camp began.

That defensive strength is built on familiarity.

Several players have represented NSW Country for multiple years, including Connor McCarthy, who says continuity has made a difference.

“Most of us have played for NSW Country for three-plus years together,” McCarthy, from the Far North Baseball Association, said. “We know each other really well and bond well as a team.”

Belief has been another major focus. Hook has challenged players to trust their instincts and back themselves in key moments.

“Having the confidence in themselves to make the right calls,” he said.

That mindset has helped shape a culture rooted in effort and mateship.

“Supporting, back each other, hard workers, mateship,” Hook said.

Roster selection reflected those values. NSW Country prioritised players who were willing to invest in their growth — often while balancing travel, school, and club commitments.

“Players who wanted to work hard on their game and not give up on themselves and their teammates,” Hook said.

Several players fit that mould and could make a real impact during the tournament.

Ben Frost is one.

“Nobody works harder,” says Hook.

Behind the plate, Tyler Boggiss brings leadership and experience after multiple AYC campaigns, while Patrick Harrison adds consistency and control on the mound, having pitched regularly in senior competitions.

In the middle of the diamond, Connor McCarthy provides stability and contact at the plate, while Mikaere Pora adds athleticism and explosiveness in the outfield after a rapid rise through Country pathways.

On the pitching side, Cohen Ryan returns to the national stage after injury, having previously delivered one of the most memorable complete-game performances at an AYC. His ability to control games when healthy adds a significant dimension to the staff.

Together, they form a group that understands sacrifice, values effort, and thrives on connection — even when separated by hundreds of kilometres.

THREE THINGS TO WATCH

1. Togetherness built over distance

This is a group used to limited time together — and they’ve learned how to connect quickly. That cohesion can be decisive in tight games.

2. Defence keeping them competitive

Clean defence has been a clear point of improvement and will be critical in helping NSW Country stay in games against deeper lineups.

3. Hard-earned breakout performances

Players like Frost, Harrison, Ryan, and Pora bring very different strengths, but all share a willingness to work. Expect a few Country names to emerge as the tournament unfolds.

U16 NSW COUNTRY: TOGETHER AND TOUGH

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Like the U18s, there’s a large spread of distances covered to make up this team.

Players come from across the state — from the Far North Coast to the Hunter, Illawarra, Sydney fringe and Central Coast — and that geography has defined their journey.

“Our preparation has been as best as we can manage given that we have players from across the Country regions of NSW,” coach Garry Everson said. “Prior to coming together as a group, players from each region were asked to prepare locally.”

That reality hasn’t weakened the group.

“We don’t see each other much because of how far away each other live,” Lismore utility player Corey Daniels said. “But we all train extremely hard, so when we come together it can flow easily.”

When the squad did assemble, the focus was clear: fundamentals, trust, and playing the game the right way.

“My expectations are to play smart baseball, take advantage of opportunities, pay attention and support each other,” Everson said.

That approach has translated into a culture the coach is proud of.

“The team culture has been outstanding,” he said. “The boys are very focused.”

Players describe it in simpler terms.

“Our sense of community and teamwork,” one player said.

“Strong camaraderie for a team separated by large distances,” Lincoln Wilson (North Coast Brewers) added.

On the field, NSW Country’s identity is built around defence, strike-throwing, and contact.

“Pitchers to throw strikes. Good defence. Making good contact,” Everson said.

Defence, in particular, has been a clear point of growth.

“They have bonded well with each other,” Everson said. “They have matured in body, mind and experience. They have a determination to succeed.”

That determination shows up across the roster. Blake Fleming (Belmont) points to resilience as a defining trait.

“Our biggest strength is resilience,” he said. “We bounce back and find a way to come back.”

Roster selection reflected maturity and composure as much as talent.

“Best fit for each position. Maturity and approach. Ability to remain calm under pressure,” Everson said.

Several players have positioned themselves as names to watch as the tournament unfolds.

Kirk Gilbert (White Sox, Newcastle) brings versatility across multiple positions and a strong competitive edge after extensive representative experience.

Austin Turner (Belmont)  adds power on the mound and athleticism, returning after a challenging injury period with renewed focus.

Liam Gardner (Belmont) anchors the infield with consistency and work ethic, while Riley Coombes (Wyong Wildcats) provides sharp reflexes and reliability at third base.

Lachlan Leicht (Taren Point) arrives after a standout club season and USA tour experience, combining offensive production with composure beyond his years.

Whether it’s players overcoming injury, travel, floods, or limited resources, NSW Country arrives with a collective belief that effort and unity can close any gap.

THREE THINGS TO WATCH

1. Togetherness built across distance

This group has learned how to connect quickly and trust each other. That cohesion could be decisive in close games.

2. Defence setting the tone

Improved fielding and communication will be key to keeping pressure off the pitching staff.

3. Breakout performances everywhere

From Gilbert and Turner to Gardner, Leicht, Coombes and Ryan, NSW Country has multiple players capable of stepping into the spotlight.