News

Australia ended their Women’s World Cup campaign on a high note with a 9-2 win over Hong Kong on Monday morning.

The game was much closer than the scoreline suggests. The Emeralds trailed 2-0 in the fifth inning and were being no-hit.

Claire O’Sullivan (NSW) recorded two of her three runs batted in on the afternoon with a clutch two-out double in the fifth to put Australia up 3-2, helping to erase an early 2-0 deficit.

The Emeralds piled on the runs in the seventh, scoring six times to put the game beyond doubt.

O’Sullivan went 2-for-3 with 3RBI. Morgan Doty also pieced together a 2-for-3 afternoon with a pair of RBIs to her name.

Lili Cavanagh and Gen Beacom also each had two hits. In total, Australia had 10 base knocks.

The Emeralds got solid pitching throughout the game, limiting Hong Kong  to just three hits.

Maddison Erwin (ACT) opened the game with 2.2 innings of work, allowing two unearned runs off two hits. Maddison Tabrett (NSW) pitched 3.1 innings of relief with one hit, no walks and no runs. Ash Patton (ACT) pitched a clean seventh inning to round things out.

Australia finishes Group A in fourth place with a 2-3 record. Unfortunately, the Emeralds fall just short of advancing to the Final Round in 2024. Australia either led or had the winning run in scoring position in all games played.

You can read about the tournament and view the game recaps at our international hub at www.baseball.com.au/internationalhub.

BOX SCORE – Australia def. Hong Kong

Game Recap

Maddie Erwin started well on the mound for the Aussies. She weaved a perfect first two innings to keep zeros on the board.

The Emeralds had their chances early. They loaded the bases in the second but starting pitcher Yin Sum Kwong struck out Kelsey Brennan to end the inning.

In total, Australia left six baserunners on through the first four innings but couldn’t convert.

Despite the six base runners, none of them were actually hits – they all came off walks and errors.

It didn’t help that Hong Kong made some highlight reel defensive plays to keep bats at bay.

WBSC Women’s Baseball World Cup players 1️⃣
WBSC Women’s Baseball World Cup wall 0️⃣#BaseballWorldCupW pic.twitter.com/nkvmndeRdm

— WBSC ⚾🥎 (@WBSC) August 13, 2023

Hong Kong plated a pair in the third inning. With two outs and nobody on, Hong Kong started a rally. A walk and hit put two runners on, and then Australia made two errors to account for the two runs.

Yin Sum Kwong put forward a heck-of-an-effort for Hong Kong. She held Australia hitless through the first 4.2 innings with five strike outs.

Finally, Emerald bats woke from their slumber with two outs and nobody on in the fifth.

Lili Cavanagh, Gen Beacom, Leah Cornish and Claire O’Sullivan strung together four consecutive hits to put Australia on the board.

Cornish had an RBI to make it 2-1 and chase Kwong from the game.

Claire O’Sullivan went bang on one of the first pitches she saw from new pitcher Yik Shan Hung. The veteran slugged a ball deep into the outfield to score Beacom and Cornish and give Australia the lead.

Claire O’Sullivan gives us the lead! #WorldCupBaseballW

📹: @wbsc pic.twitter.com/n8B7mcQOK8

— Team Australia (@TeamAusBaseball) August 13, 2023

Hong Kong, meanwhile, struggled to get anything going offensively after their two runs in the third.

Maddison Tabrett was excellent in relief of Erwin, throwing 3.1 innings of one-hit, shutout baseball.

Australia put up a lopsided number in the seventh inning to seal the deal. Five hits, a walk, a hit-by pitch and a sacrifice fly accounted for six runs in the damaging getaway inning.

O’Sullivan, Gen Beacom, Carly Moore, Morgan Doty and Lili Cavanagh had the hits in the seventh for Australia. Doty had a two-run RBI, O’Sullivan plated a run, while Jordan Richardson and Caitlin Eynon had sacrfice flies.

16-year-old Ash Patton finished the game off with a tidy 1-2-3 inning including two strikeouts.

Standings

1. USA – 5-0
2. Canada – 3-1
3. Mexico – 3-2
4. Australia – 2-3
5. Hong Kong – 1-4
6. Korea – 0-4

Australia lost a heartbreaker at the Women’s World Cup.

The Emeralds erased a 4-0 deficit to take a late three run lead, but Canada put up crooked numbers in the final two innings to race home to an 11-7 in Group A action from Thunder Bay.

This contest was wild. It had more up-and-downs than a Gold Coast roller coaster.

Canada took a 4-0 lead in the third-inning but the Emeralds showed great resolve.

A dramatic five run fifth inning – complete with a pair of clutch two-out, two-strike, two-RBI knocks from Caitlin Eynon and Abbey Kelley – helped the Emeralds storm to a 7-4 lead.

The advantage didn’t last long. Canada scored three in the sixth to tie it and added four more in the last to win it.

Australia drops to 1-3 in Group A of the Women’s World Cup. They needed a victory to keep hopes of advancing to the Final Round.

In all likelihood, the loss eliminates them from advancing to next year’s championship round. There is a slim mathematical possibility, but Australia will need to beat Hong Kong and hope results go a wild way in Group B action in Japan next month.

Allie Bebbere had a standout pitching performance for the Emeralds, going 2.1 shutout innings of relief, allowing no hits.

Caitlin Eynon had a critical go-ahead two-out RBI in a 2-for-4 performance.

16-year-old Leah Cornish had a pair of hits and two RBI in her first World Cup start. Abbey McLellan had two hits as well.

Canada’s Alexane Fournier had a standout performance for the Red & White. She had three hits and 5RBI.

Eight different Emeralds had hits in the loss.

Canada, Mexico and the USA are guaranteed spots in the Final Round in 2024.

Australia finishes Group A action at 5:30AM AEST vs Hong Kong on Monday morning.

BOX SCORE: Click here.

GAME RECAP – AS IT HAPPENED

The game featured a highly anticipated pitching match-up between two of the best pitchers on the planet – Canada’s Allie Schroder and Australia’s Gen Beacom.

The Emeralds got off to a steady start. Gen Beacom held the Canadians hitless and struck out one to ease her side into the game.

Schroder responded with a hitless, scoreless inning of her own.

Canada pressured in the second. A hit and a walk had runners in scoring position, but Beacom struck out two batters to keep the game scoreless.

⚡🇦🇺 Great pitch by Gen Beacom to end the inning!#BaseballWorldCupW pic.twitter.com/ixKKrq2L9i

— WBSC ⚾🥎 (@WBSC) August 12, 2023

The Emeralds made a big decision to insert 16-year-old World Cup debutant Leah Cornish into the line-up. It paid off early, with the reigning Australian Women’s Championship Golden Bat knocking a single to the outfield on the firsts pitch see saw.

But Allie Schroder showed her might, inducing a 6-4-3 double play to help keep it scoreless through two.

Canada hit the scoreboard in the third with a big two out rally. Three critical walks loaded the bases. With two outs, Alexane Fournier had a two-out RBI single to put the home side up 2-0. A wild pitch later, and suddenly it was 3-0. A ground ball scored another insurance tally.

🇨🇦🔝 Canada take the lead! #BaseballWorldCupW pic.twitter.com/Ht2mN1BZhZ

— WBSC ⚾🥎 (@WBSC) August 13, 2023

In total, Canada scored four runs off one hit and four walks in the inning.

Australia pushed back with a mini-rally in the fourth. Hits to Carly Moore and Abbey McClellan and a walk to Abbey Kelly loaded the bases. Leah Cornish and Lili Cavanagh showed tremendous patience to earn a pair of walks and score the Emeralds first two runs of the game.

Maddi Tabbrett nearly tied it but a great diving catch from Ela Day-Bedard in left field denied some runs.

4-2 after three.

Allie Bebbere started her relief appearance well. She went the next 2.1 innings allowing just one walk, no hits and struck out three.

🇦🇺 Allison Steane with a ⚡ pitch to get the SO! #BaseballWorldCupW pic.twitter.com/898iP3V55X

— WBSC ⚾🥎 (@WBSC) August 13, 2023

Allie Schroeder, meanwhile, settled down after her third inning blip, retiring Australian bats in order in the fourth.

Schroeder was taken out in the fifth inning.

That’s when the Emeralds made a move. They remarkably scored five runs in the fifth to power ahead.

Ticara Geldenhuis started the party by reaching on an error, Morgan Doty walked, McClellan singled.

Bases loaded, nobody out.

Leah Cornish cashed in one run with a single to right field. 4-3.

Then, with two outs and the bases still juiced, Caitlin Eynon had a two-RBI single to put the Aussies in front.

The train kept rolling. Abbey Kelly had a two-out, two-strike, opposite field line drive to score another two innings. Just like that: 7-4 after five.

🇦🇺🔝 Australia take the lead! #BaseballWorldCupW pic.twitter.com/eSKrQHQJBL

— WBSC ⚾🥎 (@WBSC) August 13, 2023

Claire O’Sullivan took over on the mound in the sixth. Canada pegged one back on a sacrifice fly to cut the Aussie lead to two.  She remained in the game for a couple outs, before being replaced by Leah Cornish with two outs and two runners on.

Canada tied it off an Alexane Fournier hard-hit ground ball to third which scored two runs. Knotted at seven.

It was Fournier’s fourth RBI of the game.

🇨🇦😲 It’s a new ballgame! #BaseballWorldCupW pic.twitter.com/cbbxCDwL3T

— WBSC ⚾🥎 (@WBSC) August 13, 2023

With the scores tied in the seventh and final inning, Australia sent closer Morgan Doty to the hill.

She did her job early in the inning by inducing consecutive ground balls, but Canada managed to reach on a few infield hits.

Canada loaded the bases.

Alizee Gelinas laced a ball to centre to score two. Fournier had her fifth RBI a couple batters later. 11-7.

Jordan Richardson got the final out for Australia in the seventh.

Australia pressured with a pair of baserunners in the bottom of the seventh but couldn’t guide anyone home.

Canada, Mexico and USA all clinch spots in the 2024 Final Round.

STANDINGS

1. USA 4-0
2. Canada 3-1
3. Mexico 3-1
4. Australia 1-3
5. Hong Kong 1-3
6. South Korea 0-4

EMERALDS GAMES

August 9 – USA 3 def Australia 2
August 10 – Mexico 16 def Australia 8 (extra innings)
August 11 – Australia 10 def Korea 3
August 13 – Canada 11 def Australia 7
August 14 – vs Hong Kong @ 5:30AM AEST

For full schedule and tournament information, visit www.wbsc.org.

Australia kept their hopes of advancing to the World Cup Finals alive with a dominant 10-3 win over South Korea on Friday morning.

Needing to win their last three games to have a shot of advancing from World Cup Group A, the Emeralds took care of business in emphatic fashion.

Ticara Geldenhuis (NSW) led the Aussie offensive onslaught. She went 2-for-4 with a homer, two runs batted in, three runs scored and a pair of stolen bases.

Pitcher Claire O’Sullivan (NSW) was sensational in her start. The savvy veteran arm went 5.0 innings of one-run ball, allowing just three hits, walking none and striking out six.

The Emeralds scattered nine hits and worked four walks across the team. Eight different Australians had base hits in a total team effort. Ten different players reached base.

This is Australia’s first win at this year’s World Cup. They are hoping to make a late surge by winning their final three games in hopes of advancing to the final round in 2024.

Their record is deceptive – Australia lost a nail-biting opener to powerhouse USA 3-2 and an extra innings heartbreaker to Mexico earlier this week. They had the winning run in scoring position during both these games.

Scroll down for the game recap with highlights.

BOX SCORE: Australia def South Korea.

The Emeralds likely need to finish in the Top 3 to secure one of six spots the World Cup Finals in 2024. The explanation on how the system works and Australia’s pathway is at the bottom of this article.

For media enquiries contact Eric Balnar at eric.balnar@baseball.com.au.

Full Game Recap

Australia got a jolt of energy from a nice defensive play in the top of the first inning. It set the tone for the afternoon.

After conceding a hit to the first batter of the game, starting pitcher Claire O’Sullivan struck out Minhee Choi and threw a runner out at second for a defacto double play.

The Emeralds aggressive intent continued during their first opportunity with the bat.

Lead-off hitter Ticara Geldenhuis swung at the first pitch and knocked a single to centre. She stole second. She stole third. She scored, thanks to a Morgan Doty sacrifice fly.

Australia brought eight batters to the plate in the first inning but only scored two runs. Catcher Maddi Heath had the other RBI on a hard-hit ground ball up the middle.

South Korea hit back in the second. Nuri Shin fabricated a run off a lead-off single, a stolen base, and hustle off a grounder to cut the lead in half. 2-1.

Australia responded a la Ticara Geldenhuis. The New South Wales native continued her impressive tournament with a huge two-run home run to increase the Emeralds lead. It improved her batting average to .500 and OPS to 1.511.

🇦🇺💥 Ticara Geldenhuis’ DINGER! #BaseballWorldCupW pic.twitter.com/5KYTneyPgP

— WBSC ⚾🥎 (@WBSC) August 10, 2023

Kelsey Brennan kept the aggressive mojo flowing.

She followed up the Ticara homer with a base-hit and a stolen base. She scored from second base on a ground ball and a tight, diving play at the plate.

5-1 Australia after two.

🇦🇺⚾ Australia score in a close call! #BaseballWorldCupW pic.twitter.com/4E06cb9jtA

— WBSC ⚾🥎 (@WBSC) August 10, 2023

The Emeralds padded their lead in the fourth. Morgan Doty’s two-bagger scored Ticara Geldenhuis for a third time of the day.

Meanwhile, Claire O’Sullivan kept doing her thing. The veteran arm from NSW was poised all afternoon, keeping South Korean bats off balance.

She had a 1-2-3 inning in the third and fourth frames and at one point sat down eight in a row.

When O’Sullivan did allow a baserunner, she immediately got help. After Korea reached on a single, catcher Maddi Heath threw her out while trying to steal second.

Maddi Heath! What a throw!

Video: @WBSC #WorldCupBaseballW pic.twitter.com/uFfU2H1gHc

— Team Australia (@TeamAusBaseball) August 10, 2023

O’Sullivan’s final stat line: 5.0 innings, 3 hits, 1 run, 6 strikeouts.

16-year-old Western Australian Leah Cornish came in relief. She worked a 1-2-3 sixth inning thanks to a slick 5-4-3 double play.

The Emeralds ran away with the game in the fifth and sixth innings.

Abbey McLellan had a fifth inning RBI double and later scored off an error. Australia added two more runs off a couple Korean defensive miscues in the sixth.

16-year-old ACT pitcher Ash Patton closed the game out for the Emeralds, allowing two late Korean runs.

It was a total team effort for the Emeralds. Nine different players had hits and ten different players reached.

Standings

1. USA 2-0
2. Canada 2-0
3. Mexico 2-1
4. Australia 1-2
5. Hong Kong 1-2
6. South Korea 0-3

Remaining Emeralds Games:
August 12 – vs Hong Kong @ 1:30AM AEST
August 13 – vs Canada @ 9:30AM AEST

For full schedule and tournament information, visit www.wbsc.org.

How The Emeralds Can Advance

The Women’s World Cup of Baseball currently has twelve teams remaining. Here’s what you need to know:

• The 12 teams are divided into two groups with all group games played in 2023
  • ‘Group A’ is currently being played in Thunder Bay with Canada, USA, Mexico, Australia, Korea and Hong Kong.
  • ‘Group B’ will be played in Japan in September with Japan, Taiwan, Cuba, France, Puerto Rico and Venezuela
• The Finals Round, made up of the top six teams, will be played in Thunder Bay, Canada in 2024. Canada has automatic entry to the final six teams.
• The six teams in the World Cup Finals will be:
  • The Top 2 teams in Group A
  • The Top 2 teams in Group B
  • Two Wildcards
  • Canada will gain automatic entry, meaning if they finish in the Top 2 of Group A, a second spot will be awarded to the third place finisher in Group A

This means there are three ways for Australia to advance:

1. Finish in the Top 2 of the Group. At 1-2, this will be difficult but still mathematically possible.
2. Finish third, and Canada finish in the Top 2. If Canada finishes in first or second, and Australia finishes in third, Australia will advance to the finals round because Canada has automatically qualified.
3. Earn one of the two wild card spots. The wild card spots will be given to the next two highest placed teams across Group A and Group B who finish outside the Top 2. If there is a tie, it goes on standing of the last Women’s World Cup as the tiebreaker. The final rankings were:
   1. Japan
   2. Taiwan
   3. Canada
   4. United States
   5. Venezuela
   6. Dominican Republic
   7. Australia
   8. Cuba
   9. Dominican Republic
   10. South Korea
   11. Hong Kong
   12. Netherlands

all photos via WBSC

Mexico won a wild one. In extra innings, nonetheless.

The Mexicans scored their first ever Women’s Baseball World Cup victory defeating Australia 16-8 in bonus innings in Group A action.

The scoreline is deceptive. The game was decided in a tiebreaker, after all.

The Emeralds trailed 5-2 and 8-5 during the game. They erased both of those three-run deficits in a plucky comeback attempt. Mexico just could not be contained in extras.

There was a dramatic moment to get there. Ticara Geldenhuis (NSW) forced extra-innings by delivering a two-out, two-RBI base hit to lock the game at eight.

Down to our final out, Ticara Geldenhuis came up clutch to force extras.

Video: @wbsc #BaseballWorldCupW pic.twitter.com/z1Fq854xAa

— Team Australia (@TeamAusBaseball) August 9, 2023

It wasn’t meant to be. Errors and walks cost Australia in the tie-break inning, with Mexico scoring eight-runs off just two hits, including a massive three run homerun.

In the game, only eight of Mexico’s runs were earned. Australia allowed eight unearned runs in the loss.

To be fair, Mexico seemed to deliver in the moments that mattered the most. A two-out, two-RBI double in third inning, and the same again in the fifth, scored four of Mexico’s runs in the win. The three-run homer in extras was also handy.

Australia didn’t help themselves. They made five costly errors during the game.

Mexico outhit Australia 9-7.

Morgan Doty and Kelsey Brennan each had two hits for the Emeralds. Gen Beacom had two RBIs.

Ticara Geldenhuis reached three times and had two RBI.

It’s now desperate times for the Emeralds. They need to finish in the Top 3 of their group to have a chance at advancing to the World Cup Finals Round in 2024.

Australia has three remaining games this week – vs Korea, Hong-Kong and Canada. They will need to win all of them – and get a little bit of help. It is still very possible.

The Emeralds have been in position to win each of their games.

Australia’s next game is tomorrow morning at 1:30AM AEST vs Korea. The loser is likely eliminated.

BOX SCORE: Click here.

Game Recap

Australia jumped Mexico early with two early runs off backs of an aggressive approach.

They scored their first run of the game off a perfectly executed double-steal. Morgan Doty applied the pressure at home and Ticara Geldenhuis snuck in at home. 1-0.

Gen Beacom swung early in a count and drove a ball to right to score Doty and record Australia’s second run of the inning.

🇦🇺 Delay steal and Australia get their first run of the game!#BaseballWorldCupW pic.twitter.com/9EVNAeQJp9

— WBSC ⚾🥎 (@WBSC) August 9, 2023

Defensive miscues got the better of Australia in the third inning. Australia made three errors and hit a batter in the inning, allowing Mexico to score five runs on just one hit.

That ‘one hit’, however, was damaging. Daniela Aguilar hammered a ball off the wall with two-outs and bases-loaded to put Mexico up 5-2

🇲🇽😤 Mexico attack! #BaseballWorldCupW pic.twitter.com/4BQUVHyy4o

— WBSC ⚾🥎 (@WBSC) August 9, 2023

Australia wasted no time issuing a response.

A Shae Lillywhite walk, and Morgan Doty single, put two runners on for Abbey McLellan. The Victorian slugger drilled a ball to left field to score one.

Gen Beacom followed with her second RBI of the game. 5-4. In her first World Cup game, Carly Moore leveled the scores at five during the next at-bat with a rocket off the bat, an RBI double to left.

Mexico regained the lead in the fourth on a fielder’s choice.

Mexico added another clutch punch in the fifth inning. Marcela Diaz delivered a two-out, two-RBI double to plate a pair of runs and increase the lead to 8-5.

🇲🇽 Great play to end the inning! #BaseballWorldCupW pic.twitter.com/T59mJDexE9

— WBSC ⚾🥎 (@WBSC) August 9, 2023

The Emeralds pressured in the sixth. With two-outs, Australia managed to squeeze a runner on first and third but couldn’t find a clutch hit.

Morgan Doty pitched a crucial 1-2-3 seventh, holding Mexico off the scoreboard.

It was important. Australia had a magnificent bottom of the last.

Early hits and a pair of walks loaded the bases. Another walk cashed in a run to cut the lead to 8-6.

Then, with two outs, enter Ticara Geldenhuis.

The New South Wales-native delivered a dramatic two RBI base hit to tie the game at eight and force extras.

Australia had a chance to win it the next at-bat, but the Mexican pitcher got Shae Lillywhite to strike out swinging.

Mexico seized back momentum in extra innings. With tie-breaker rules in effect (runners on first and second to start the inning), Mexico laid down a bunt. A throwing error by Doty cashed in two runs. And it piled on from there.

Trademarked by a three-run homer by Dianna Ibarra, Mexico made a statement.

Mexico scored eight runs off two hits in the eigth inning.

A heartbreaker for Australia, but there is still hope.

BOX SCORE: Click here.

Tournament Standings (as of conclusion of day)

1. United States of America – 2-0
2. Canada – 2-0
3. Hong Kong – 1-1
4. Mexico – 1-1
5. Australia – 0-2
6. Korea – 0-2

Australia pushed powerhouse baseball nation United States to their limit, but ultimately fell 3-2, in a high-drama opening game of the Women’s Baseball World Cup.

The USA tagged out the tying run in a dramatic play at the plate in the penultimate inning during a game that had a bit of everything – including a wild thunderstorm.

The Emeralds left it all out on the field. They clawed back from a 3-0 deficit to get within one run heading into the last inning. Australia even had two runners in scoring position – including a potential game winning run.

Australia out-hit and out-chanced the favoured Americans. Unfortunately, they couldn’t outscore them.

One of the big reasons why? A masterful pitching performance from American starter Elise Berger.

From the moment the umpire said “play ball”, her stuff was on.

Her breaking ball was dancing, her fastball filled up the zone, and she induced tons of soft contact to stymy the Emeralds’ bats. She even survived a one-hour rain delay after the first inning.

She left the game allowing just one run and two hits through 5.2 innings of work.

🇺🇸😎 Elise Berger is cruising!

5 IP
1 H
No runs pic.twitter.com/dqENe0cOoy

— WBSC ⚾🥎 (@WBSC) August 8, 2023

A five-walk third inning was Australia’s downfall. The blemish accounted for two of America’s three runs.

Let’s not mince words: the United States team is loaded. The squad features superstars of the game including men’s league professional player Kelsie Whitmore, the first woman to play NCAA Division I men’s baseball Olivia Pichardo, and 2015 Pan-Am Games gold medalist Anna Kimbrell.

The Emeralds got solid pitching from starter Genevieve Beacom and reliever Allie Bebbere.

Beacom (VIC) pitched 2.2 innings, allowing two runs off no hits and four walks. Bebbere (VIC) pitched the remaining 3.1 innings, conceding just one run and allowing two hits.

Ticara Geldenhuis (NSW), Morgan Doty (VIC/WA), Abbey McLellan (VIC), Claire O’Sullivan (NSW), Caitlin Eynon (WA) and Jordan Richardson (NSW) combined for Australia’s six hits.

Eynon and McLellan had the runs batted in for the Emeralds.

Catch up Emeralds’ news, stories and media from across the country at our International Hub.

Next up for Australia (0-1) is a date with Mexico (0-0). They play at 5:30AM AEST in a crucial Group A clash.

The Top 2 finishers in Group A and B advance to the Championship Round, held in Canada in 2024. Two wild card spots will also be awarded.

The Emeralds have run of games vs Mexico, Korea, Hong Kong and Canada over the next four days. They’ll likely need to win three of them to advance.

Game Recap – As It Happened

Above: Allie Bebbere in relief for Australia. Photo: Brendan Beacom.

When the first pitch of the game cruised over the plate you could tell it was going to be a day for the pitchers.

The weather was a factor, too. A local storm to Thunder Bay brought heavy gusts of wind – hitters would always have trouble driving the ball deep into the outfield.

Emeralds’ starter Gen Beacom and American starter Elise Berger went toe-to-toe in the first two innings. Neither pitcher allowed a hit.

A thunder, lightning & rainstorm swept across the diamond after the first inning, delaying the contest for an hour and knocking over the right field fence. When we returned, the pitchers picked up right where they left off.

Beacom sat down the first seven batters she faced, mixing in three strikeouts along the way – all of them looking.

⚡⚾ Genevieve Beacom’s stuff! #BaseballWorldCupW pic.twitter.com/yypAZqO9an

— WBSC ⚾🥎 (@WBSC) August 8, 2023

Her sizzling start came to a halt in the third. The United States worked four walks off Beacom in the third, including three-straight. The Americans scored a run off of a wild pitch to take the early lead.

The final line on Beacom: 2.2 innings, two earned runs with no hits and four walks.

Allie Bebbere entered the game in the bottom of the third inning with bases loaded and two outs. She walked in one run and got a shallow fly ball off the dangerous Olivia Pichardo to limit the damage.

2-0 USA after four.

Australia had a base-runner in three of the first four innings but struggled to find that one decisive blow.

The woman behind the Emeralds’ frustrations was starting pitcher Elise Berger. The right-hander’s breaking ball was on point, mixing it well with her fast ball. She induced a lot of soft-contact ground balls and allowed just one hit with no walks through her first five innings.

Berger’s final line: 5.2 innings, 2 hits, 1 earned run, 1 walk and 1 strike out.

The USA’s defense was on song, too.

👏 Great play to end the inning! #BaseballWorldCupW pic.twitter.com/hR1O3JrJnh

— WBSC ⚾🥎 (@WBSC) August 8, 2023

USA added a crucial third run in the bottom of the fourth.

But Australia made a move in the fifth inning.

Ticara Geldenhuis had a lead-off walk. With two-outs, Abbey McClellan’s two-out infield RBI scored the Emeralds first run and chased Berger from the game.

The Emeralds promptly the bases after the pitching change. With two outs, Caitlin Eynon lined a ball to left field which scored one run, but the USA tagged the tying run out at the plate.

⚡💪 Great throw by Jillian Albayati to avoid the tying run! #BaseballWorldCupW pic.twitter.com/AyxKuaBz52

— WBSC ⚾🥎 (@WBSC) August 8, 2023

Bebbere continued her excellent form in the bottom of the sixth, tallying a crucial strikeout with an American insurance run standing in scoring position.

The final line on Bebbere: 3.1 innings with 3 hits, 1 earned run, 2 walks and 2 strike outs.

It allowed Australia to pressure in the seventh and final inning. The Emeralds managed to bring two base runners to the basepaths with just one out.

Unfortunately, they couldn’t find the knock out blow.

👏🇺🇸 USA win a fantastic baseball game against Australia! #BaseballWorldCupW pic.twitter.com/Sfdwk50Yop

— WBSC ⚾🥎 (@WBSC) August 8, 2023

Australia will reset and play tomorrow vs Mexico in a game the Emeralds need to win.

BOX SCORE: Click here.

Photo: Brendan Beacom

The Emeralds have touched down in Canada and are ready for the Women’s World Cup of Baseball.

It’s a huge moment for these 20 players and the staff. They have five ‘Group A’ games of baseball to play vs fierce international opponents between August 9-13 in Thunder Bay, Canada.

If the Emeralds finish in the Top 2 in their group, they will advance to the 2024 Championship Round in Canada. If the Emeralds finish third, they are still in good position to gain a Wild Card entry to the 2024 round. Anything lower? Their campaign comes to an end.

You can learn about the team and each of the players + how the roster is constructed by clicking here.

The Australian media is starting to pick up on the Emeralds and their stories too.

We will be updating an ongoing list at our International Hub but have provided a list below.

Make sure you follow Team Australia Baseball for up-to-date stories, news and behind-the-scenes content.

Baseball.com.au

1. “Our Why” – Emeralds share their “why” as they prepare to take on the world
2. The Emeralds – Meet the Members of the Women’s World Cup Team
3. Roster Construction Strategy – Why Australia is focusing on versatility at the Women’s World Cup

Online / Print News

1. Herald Sun: Herald Sun – Meet the 20 Women representing Australia at the Women’s World Cup
2. National News: ABC News – Carly Moore is the first South Australian to make the Women’s World Cup
3. ACT in Canada:  Meet the two ACT players going to the World Cup
4. Magazine Story: CITYMAG – Profile on Emeralds’ catcher Carly Moore
5. Meet Gen Beacom: Hard throwing Australian making International News.

Radio / TV

• Young Guns (WIN Canberra): Erwin and Patton make Team Australia, ready for the World (WIN News)
• Radio Shae Lillywhite: RADIO – Shae Lillywhite on ABC Grandstand (Starts at 29:00)
• Podcast: Gen Beacom to appear on this week’s podcast of the Female Athlete Project (follow on Insta or wherever you get your podcasts)
• Podcast: Various Interviews on “Inside Pitch”

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.”

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.”

Seven Australian representative teams will be playing in a major global tournament between July 28 and September 10.

Head to our “International Hub” at www.baseball.com.au/internationalhub for all the latest links, story and coverage.

Alternatively, click on the “Events” tab for information.

Our social media handles are:

• Team Australia Baseball for all WBSC-run events on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram
• Baseball.com.au for all Little League / Intermediate League / Junior League / Senior League events