Team Australia invites 36 baseball players to Under 18 Selection Camp in Melbourne

09 September 2026 By Eric Balnar

By Eric Balnar

Team Australia invites 36 baseball players to Under 18 Selection Camp in Melbourne

Team Australia has finalised its invites to an Under-18 Selection Camp at the end of September in Melbourne.

36 players from across the country will work out in Melbourne from September 19-26, with the objective of cracking the 20-man roster for the Under-18 Oceania Championship and World Cup Qualifiers later in the year.

You can view the roster below:

The selection camp will feature six days on field from September 20-25. There will be individual positional workouts in the morning and trial games in the afternoon.

Team Australia players will be in attendance to help run the program, including six with recent World Baseball Classic experience.

“This is part of the pathway to the 2027 Under-18 World Cup in China,” said Baseball Australia’s Player Development Manager Andrew Riddell. “But the journey started much before this. This group was selected from the Australian Youth Championships in January and across Driveline evaluations in each state during April.”

20 players will be named to the U18 Qualifiers roster out of selection camp. Details of the tournament have yet to be confirmed. However, we do know the event will take place in Blacktown from December 9-13, 2026.

The Qualifying Tournament has existed in a few different iterations over the years. In 2024, Australia won a best-of-five series against New Zealand. In 2022, Australia won a three-team series with Guam and New Zealand.

Final teams and tournament format will be finalised later, but WBSC Oceania features 20 members and has a spot in WBSC World Cup events.

The tournament counts for valuable World Ranking Points.

If Australia qualifies for the 2027 Under-18 World Cup, players across the country will be closely evaluated during the 2027 Under-18 National Championships (AYC) in January. From there, a squad will be picked for an August 2027 Selection Camp, where a roster for the World Cup will be selected.

“This selection camp allows us to see identified players 12 months out from an U18 World Cup as we head towards the qualifiers and then a huge 2027 for this age group,” said Riddell. “We are really looking forward to seeing all of the players compete against each other. There’s a nice mix of second-year U16 players, first-year U18 players and other standouts from the 2026 AYC.”

He credits a Driveline program in April as a key driver of squad selection.

“We were also able to go around to each state in April with the guys from Driveline and run evaluations and assessments of each player. The results and feedback have then shaped the winter program and we couldn’t be more excited to now see them again in September to see the progression they have all made from January and April,” he says.

They will be guided by a number of current and former Team Australia players, including Aaron Whitefield, Chris Burke, Jarryd Dale, Sam Holland, Tim Kennelly and Josh Tols.
Riddell says this is a key cultural piece of the puzzle.

“It’s important for the younger players to be around these guys and learn from them both in a coaching aspect but also off the field and what it means to play for Team Australia,” he says. “It also shows them what a future could look like that isn’t unattainable. Learning the foundations of the Team Australia culture will just bring us closer as a community.”

The selection camp is part of a busy stretch for Team Australia. The Under 15 squad departs for Mexico for the U15 World Cup later in the month. The U23 World Cup is played in Nicaragua in November. Australia also confirmed participation in the 2026 Asia Professional Baseball Championships (APBC) in November in Tokyo.

All events are worth valuable World Ranking Points.

IN SUMMARY
– 36 players have been invited to an Under-18 Qualifier Selection Camp in Melbourne;

– A 20-man roster will be named for the 2026 Under-18 Oceania Championships in Sydney in December, serving as a qualifying event for the World Cup;

– Players will continue to be evaluated in 2027 at events like the Australian Youth Championships, further Driveline programs and an August selection camp;

– Current and former Team Australia players will help administer the camp;

07 September 2026 By Eric Balnar

By Eric Balnar

Feature Stories

HALL OF FAME STORIES: MARK HUTTON GETS HIS CALL TO THE HALL

Mark Hutton will forever have the word ‘first’ attached to him when it comes to Australian baseball.

It’s no surprise he was part of the most recent Australian Baseball Hall of Fame class.

A strong, powerful 6’6” right-handed pitcher from Sturt Baseball Club, Hutton helped forge the way for future Australians, breaking barriers at the Major League level.

His list of accomplishments are, well, Hall of Fame worthy.

Hutton was the sixth Australian to ever reach the top league in the world. He stayed there for five seasons in a career spanning from 1993 to 1998, enjoying stops with the New York Yankees, Florida Marlins, Colorado Rockies and Cincinatti Reds.

He was the first South Australian to reach the Major Leagues. He was the first Australian pitcher to ever start an MLB game.

He was also among the first Australians to win a World Series ring – and the first to earn two.

Hutton played with the New York Yankees from 1993 to 1996. Although he was traded mid-season to the Florida Marlins, the Yankees eventually won the championship and Hutton received a World Series ring for his first-half efforts with the club.

MEET THE INDUCTEES: The 2025 Baseball Australia Hall of Fame Class

Hutton was traded mid-season again in 1997, this time from the Marlins to the Colorado Rockies. The Marlins eventually won the World Series and Hutton was awarded another World Series ring for his efforts.

“I feel extremely fortunate to have been part of two great teams in the New York Yankees and Florida Marlins,” says Hutton. “I look at those rings with enormous pride.”

After his MLB career, Hutton focused on his Australian national team career, playing at the 2000 Sydney Olympics.

But for all his MLB accomplishments, World Series rings and Olympic appearances, it all started by throwing a ball at Sturt Baseball Club in Adelaide, South Australia.

The Hutton name was already a prolific one in South Australian baseball circles. His father David is a South Australian Baseball Hall of Famer. But Mark elevated it to a whole other level.

He rose through the ranks of South Australian baseball, signing a contract with the New York Yankees as an 18-year-old in 1988. He worked his way through the minor league system for five years before making his MLB debut with the Yankees on July 23, 1993 in a game vs the California Angels.

It was on that date that he became the first Australian to start an MLB game as a pitcher, he was 23 years old. He threw a remarkable eight innings in his debut, earning the love of his teammates and respect of the media, with Mark appearing on the front and back of the New York Post.

Mark’s former minor league teammate JT Snow was playing in the opposing Angels team and said “He was just having fun while the rest of us were stressing about making it to the big leagues.

“It looked like he was having all the fun again tonight.”

That may just sum up the style Mark Hutton played.

At his peak, he could throw his fastball at 95–96 miles per hour.

Hutton says he could never have imagined his career would take him where it did.

“Not in a million years could I have anticipated what was to come,” he said. “I knew when I signed [with the Yankees] it was one of the biggest sporting organisations in the world. It was life changing.”

On the theme of life-changing experiences, Hutton also had an opportunity not many people ever get: playing in an Olympics at home.

“[The Sydney Olympics] is without a doubt one of my greatest baseball highlights. I will never forget that honour of representing my country at the highest level,” he says.

Hutton now resides back in Adelaide with his family. You can still see him around the diamonds at Sturt, South Australian club ball fields and Adelaide Giants games. In fact, the main grandstand at West Beach is named in his honour.

“I hope my legacy is helping inspire the continued growth of young kids playing baseball in Australia, and showing that making it to the Major Leagues is achievable,” he says.

“There are so many people I would like to thank along the way – my parents, for taking me to all those games, my coaches who supported me, and my wife for being there throughout the baseball journey in the USA.”

30 July 2026 By Eric Balnar

By Eric Balnar

- Aussies Abroad Aussies Sign Pro

Jack O'Loughlin lands contract with Taiwanese powerhouse CTBC Brothers

Jack O’Loughlin has his next opportunity in Asia.

The South Australian left-hander has officially signed with the CTBC Brothers of the Chinese Professional Baseball League (CPBL), just two weeks after departing the Samsung Lions in Korea.

The move keeps O’Loughlin in one of Asia’s premier professional leagues and gives the 26-year-old another chance to establish himself as a frontline starter.

His path to Taiwan was sparked by an outstanding World Baseball Classic campaign earlier this year.

O’Loughlin threw 3.0 scoreless innings against Chinese Taipei before backing it up with another strong outing against Korea, finishing the tournament without allowing an earned run across 6.1 innings against two of the world’s top baseball nations.

Those performances earned him his first KBO opportunity with the Samsung Lions.

He made 17 starts for Samsung during the 2026 season, posting a 4.86 ERA across 83.1 innings while striking out 81 batters before parting ways with the club in mid-July.

Taiwanese clubs moved quickly.

Reports emerged last week that the CTBC Brothers were closing in on a deal, with O’Loughlin travelling to Taiwan to train alongside the club while completing medicals and evaluation sessions before a contract was finalised.

The signing marks another chapter in an already well-travelled professional career.

Originally signed by the Detroit Tigers as a teenager, O’Loughlin spent seven seasons in affiliated baseball before making his Major League debut with the Athletics in 2024. He later joined the Colorado Rockies organisation before returning to Australia to pitch for the Adelaide Giants, where he developed into one of the Australian Baseball League’s premier starters and helped the club capture multiple Claxton Shield championships.

The South Australian now becomes one of the latest Australians to continue their careers across Asia, adding the CPBL to a résumé that already includes Major League Baseball, the KBO and the ABL.

The CTBC Brothers are one of Taiwan’s most successful clubs and are currently in the hunt for another CPBL championship, giving O’Loughlin the opportunity to contribute immediately as the season enters its crucial stretch.

30 July 2026 By Eric Balnar

By Eric Balnar

College Baseball

Victoria's Sam Walk set for NCAA Division I Opportunity at St. Thomas

Victorian two-way prospect Sam Walk will continue his baseball and academic journey in the United States after committing to the University of St. Thomas in Minnesota.

Walk builds on a growing number of Australians playing Division I baseball in the USA. In 2025, there were 20 players at top-tier US programs.

Walk, who plays for Sandringham Baseball Club during the summer and North Balwyn Baseball Club in the winter, will study Business while competing at the NCAA Division I level.

Primarily a catcher, Walk has also developed into a promising pitcher over the past year and is eager to continue refining both sides of his game.

“The opportunity to train and compete every day in a Division I program is something I’ve been working towards for a long time,” Walk says. “While catcher is still my main position, I’ve really enjoyed pitching more over the past year. I’m looking forward to continuing that development as a two-way player, learning from the coaching staff and becoming the best player I can be in whatever role I’m asked to fill.”

Walk believes his versatility, competitiveness and willingness to put in the work have helped him earn the opportunity.

“I think my biggest strengths are my work ethic, competitiveness and versatility,” he says. “Offensively, I’ve worked hard to take my hitting to another level over the past few years.”

He credits the Victorian baseball community for the progression in his game.

“Aaron Whitfield and Neil Burke have had a huge impact on my development, helping me improve my approach, become more consistent and grow into a more complete hitter,” says Walk. “I’ve also been incredibly fortunate to work with coaches at club, state and national level who have challenged me to keep developing both on and off the field.”

MORE COLLEGE STORIES: Click here

Those improvements were on full display at the 2026 Australian Youth Championships, where Walk helped Victoria claim the gold medal while leading the tournament with a remarkable .650 batting average.

His experiences representing Victoria, competing at the AYCs and showcasing in the United States have all helped prepare him for the next step.

“They’ve given me the chance to compete against some of the best players in Australia and overseas while learning how to perform under pressure,” Walk says.

Once he arrives in Minnesota this August, Walk hopes to continue building his offensive game while developing into a complete two-way player.

“I want to become a more consistent hitter against elite pitching, keep getting stronger and more athletic, and continue improving behind the plate,” he says. “I’ve made a lot of progress over the past year, but there’s still plenty to learn. I want to keep improving my approach, pitch recognition and ability to perform consistently against high-level pitching.”

On the mound, Walk’s repertoire continues to expand, with a four-seam fastball, curveball, cutter and change-up now making up his pitch mix.

He credits his parents and the many coaches who have supported him throughout his journey for helping him reach this point.

“My parents have made countless sacrifices over the years, travelling with me, supporting my goals and giving me every opportunity to improve,” Walk says.

Walk will depart for the United States in August as he begins the next chapter of his baseball career.

28 July 2026 By Eric Balnar

By Eric Balnar

Community

Hall of Fame Chats: Craig Anderson

Early this year, Baseball Australia revealed six new additions to the Australian Baseball Hall of Fame.

It’s a rightfully a hard group to crack. You have to be among the best to ever to it in this country.

I’ve decided to try to talk to all of our newest inductees to learn a little bit more about their journey in baseball, some of their great moments and ultimately how their hall of frame brains work. You can read about them all here.

Next up in our chats? Gosford’s Craig Anderson.

PAST CHATS: Samantha Hamilton

Anderson enjoyed nearly a 20 year professional career in the United State in Australia. He reached as high as Triple-A in the minor league system, played in two Olympics, won a silver medal, and compete in two World Baseball Classics.

He also contributed strongly on the mound in Sydney with the Blue Sox and New South Wales.

He pitched the first nine seasons of the modern-day ABL, currently holds the record for most games started as a pitcher (88), innings pitched (556.2), and is second for most wins (35). He finished his career 35–32 with a 3.61 ERA in 99 games.

OLYMPIC FEATURE: Read about the 2004 Australian Olympic Team

What’s fascinating in this conversation with Craig is how he clearly values his time spent with people. All of his individual successes completely deflect to those around him.

Enjoy the glimpse into the mind of one of Australia’s best!

27 July 2026 By Eric Balnar

By Eric Balnar

- Team Australia Women's Baseball

Resilient Emeralds walk-off Canada in wildest game of Women's World Cup, advances to Finals

Insanity.

The Emeralds overcame sweltering heat, multiple player injuries, two five-run deficits and a 3 hour, 30 minute marathon to walk off Canada 14-13 in one of the games of the Women’s Baseball World Cup.

Molly Paddison came through with a two-out RBI single to tie it at 13, before Elodie O’Sullivan drove in the winning run.

Australia had plenty of reasons to fold.

First, they had already secured their place in the World Cup Final and it was 40 degrees outside.

Then, star players Lili Cavanagh, Abbey Kelly, Caitlin Eynon and Chloe Atkinson all departed the game due to either injury or heat exhaustion.

But that’s not the Australian way.

The win, like the others this week, took a little bit of magic from everyone involved.

Australia trailed 3-0 in the first, 8-3 in the fourth, 12-7 in the fifth and were down to their final strike in the last.

It didn’t matter. Australia just found a way.

“That is one of the gutsiest wins I have ever been apart of. We just had this next woman up mentality. I could not be prouder of this group and prouder to be an Australian today,” said manager Jason Pospishil after the game.

Leah Cornish was outstanding again. She collected three hits to take her tournament-leading total to 12, made two terrific plays in foul territory to save runs, and then threw a scoreless sixth inning to keep Canada’s powerful offence at bay.

“Simply, she’s one of the best two way players in the world,” said Pospishil.

Molly Paddison was immense. She crushed a game-tying two-run homer in the first inning, then tied the game again with two outs in the seventh.

Caitlin Eynon launched a two-out grand slam in the fourth to cut Canada’s lead to 8-7.

Jamie Bastian executed a perfect suicide squeeze to tie the game in the sixth.

Pitchers Claire O’Sullivan, Jess Johnson, Brittney Baker, Mackenzie Jackson, Leah Cornish and Maddi Erwin all battled through defensive miscues but came up with key outs when Australia needed them most.
Paddison and Eynon both homered.

Australia finishes the group stage 4-1 and advances to the Women’s Baseball World Cup Finals in Rockford in 2027, where they will be one of six nations competing for gold.

HERE’S HOW IT UNFOLDED

Canada matched the weather with a scorching start. Three consecutive two-out hits produced three runs in the opening inning.

Australia answered immediately.

Leah Cornish delivered a two-out RBI single to put the Emeralds on the board before 18-year-old Molly Paddison launched the first Women’s World Cup home run of her career to tie the game at three.

Canada responded again.

Four straight baserunners helped chase starter Claire O’Sullivan from the game after the Canadians cashed in twice.
Jess Johnson, fresh off 2.2 scoreless innings against the United States, entered with two on and one out.
She escaped the second inning, but Canada struck again in the third.

RBI singles from Frederique Noel and Emily Baxter, along with a wild pitch, extended the lead to 8-3.

Reliever Brittney Baker then steadied things with 1.1 scoreless innings, giving Australia a chance to respond.
Captain Caitlin Eynon did exactly that, crushing a grand slam to make it 8-7.

The momentum didn’t last long.

Australia was hurt by a pair of errors in the fifth, opening the door for Canada to score four runs and restore a five-run advantage. 12-7

The Emeralds answered again.

They loaded the bases, manufactured one run, before Cornish ripped a two-run double for her third hit of the afternoon.
12-11.

Cornish was then called upon in relief and delivered a scoreless sixth inning.

Australia kept coming.

Jamie Bastian laid down a perfect suicide squeeze to score Elodie O’Sullivan and tie the game at 12.

Caitlin Eynon was scheduled to pitch the seventh, but tweaked a muscle during warm-ups.

In came Maddi Erwin.

She limited Canada to one run and navigated a bases-loaded jam to keep Australia within striking distance.
Then came the finish.

With two outs, two strikes and a runner on third, Molly Paddison delivered yet again, lining a clutch RBI single to tie the game at 13.

Moments later, Elodie O’Sullivan drove home the winning run.

Insane.

BOX SCORE: Australia vs Canada

26 July 2026 By Eric Balnar

By Eric Balnar

- Aussies Abroad

Curtis Mead traded to the Boston Red Sox amidst career year

Australian infielder Curtis Mead is on the move again, with the 25-year-old South Australian traded from the Washington Nationals to the Boston Red Sox in one of the first significant deals ahead of the 2026 Major League Baseball trade deadline.

Mead joins his third team of the 2026 season, after beginning the year with the Chicago White Sox.

The Red Sox acquired Mead in exchange for left-handed pitcher Connelly Early, adding one of the breakout hitters of the 2026 MLB season as they strengthen their roster for a postseason push.

Boston has surged back into American League playoff contention and Mead figures to be a key part of their plans.

After beginning the year with the Chicago White Sox, Mead was designated for assignment before Opening Day and subsequently traded to Washington. Four months later, he finds himself headed to one of baseball’s most iconic franchises after establishing himself as one of the Nationals’ most productive offensive players.

Splitting time between first base and third base, Mead has produced a breakout campaign at the plate, slashing .256/.351/.505 with 17 home runs. After hitting just eight home runs across his first three Major League seasons combined, the Australian has unlocked a new level of power while posting an OPS+ of 136, making him 36 per cent better than the league-average hitter this season.

He sits just four homers behind Dave Nilsson’s single season MLB record for an Australia (21).

A product of Adelaide, Mead signed with the Philadelphia Phillies as a teenager before spending time in the Tampa Bay Rays, Chicago White Sox and Washington Nationals organisations. Boston now becomes the fourth Major League organisation of his professional career and presents another opportunity for the Team Australia infielder to make an impact on the game’s biggest stage.

Mead is one of 27 Australians currently signed to Major or Minor League affiliated contracts and joins a Red Sox club with genuine aspirations of competing deep into October.

26 July 2026 By Eric Balnar

By Eric Balnar

- Team Australia Women's Baseball

Australia clinches Women's Baseball World Cup Finals Berth with convincing win over Korea

Mission accomplished.

Australia arrived in Rockford for the Group Stage of the WBSC Women’s Baseball World Cup with one objective: finish in the top three of Pool A and secure a place in next year’s Finals.

The Emeralds achieved exactly that on Saturday, defeating Korea 13-3 to improve to 3-1 in the tournament and officially book their place in the final stage of the tournament.

It wasn’t flawless, but it was relentless.

Australia applied pressure from the opening pitch, with every player reaching base at least once as the Emeralds generated 28 baserunners across six offensive innings.

The Australians bookended their attack with a six-run first inning and a five-run sixth, finishing with 13 hits to Korea’s four.

BOX SCORE: AUS vs KOR

Abbey Kelly starred offensively with a three-hit performance, while Lili Cavanagh reached base four times, going 2-for-4 with a walk and two stolen bases. Caitlin Eynon, Leah Cornish and Gen Beacom also collected multiple hits.

On the mound, Allie Bebbere, Brittney Baker and Cornish combined to limit Korea to four hits.

The victory improves Australia to 3-1, joining the United States and Canada on three wins and making it mathematically impossible to finish outside the top three.

Australia wasted little time taking control.

The Emeralds ripped four doubles during a six-run first inning, chasing Korean starter Sohee Kwak after just two outs. Cavanagh, Cornish, Beacom and Kelly all drove doubles as Australia raced to a 6-0 lead.

Bebbere, coming off 4.2 scoreless innings of relief in Australia’s dramatic extra-innings win over Mexico, looked in control early.

Korea responded in the third when Jua Park launched a three-run home run to trim the deficit to 6-3.

Australia answered back immediately.

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

Eynon singled home a run before Cornish drew a bases-loaded walk to restore the lead to five at 8-3. The Emeralds threatened to break the game open even earlier but stranded the bases loaded in the second, third and fourth innings.

Bebbere finished with 4.2 innings, allowing four hits, three runs and two walks while striking out two. Baker recorded the final out of the fifth before Cornish tossed a perfect sixth inning.

Australia finally put the contest away with a five-run sixth inning.

Kelly collected her third hit of the game with an RBI single before Eynon doubled her home. Cornish followed with an RBI ground ball to make it 11-3, Claire O’Sullivan added a sacrifice fly, and Beacom drew a bases-loaded walk to end the game via the run rule.

Australia will wrap up Pool A play against undefeated Canada on Sunday at 6:00am AEST.

CURRENT STANDINGS

Top three teams qualify for the World Cup Finals, a group of six, held in 2027 in Rockford.

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

25 July 2026 By Eric Balnar

By Eric Balnar

- Team Australia Women's Baseball

Recap: Australia hangs tough, but falls to USA at Women's World Cup

Australia suffered its first defeat of the 2026 Women’s Baseball World Cup on Friday night, falling 10-5 to tournament powerhouse the United States in a spirited performance.

The challenge was always going to be immense. The Americans entered the contest unbeaten at 2-0, having outscored their first two opponents 46-5. They handed the ball to tournament ace and one of the biggest names in women’s baseball, Kelsie Whitmore.

Australia refused to back down.

TOURNAMENT HUB: Follow the tournament live

The Emeralds matched the United States early, with Leah Cornish doubling home the tying run before the Americans eventually pulled away behind a three-run homer from Denae Benites and a four-run fourth inning built on timely hitting and aggressive baserunning.

There were plenty of positives despite the result.

Australia actually outhit the United States 12-10 and became the first team at the tournament to keep the Americans within a single digit winning margin. The closest margin of victory before tonight was 19.

BOX SCORE: Live stats from USA vs AUS

After winning their opening two games by a combined 41 runs, the USA were pushed far harder by the Emeralds.

Cornish continued her outstanding tournament, finishing 3-for-4, while Lili Cavanagh also collected three hits.

Claire O’Sullivan impressed both at the plate and in the field with several outstanding defensive plays at second base, while Molly Paddison delivered a two-RBI double late in the game.

One of the most heartwarming moments came when 37-year-old Jess Johnson made her Emeralds debut. The rookie reliever tossed 2.2 scoreless innings under pressure to keep Australia fighting until the final out.

Australia now faces Korea (1-2) on Sunday morning in a winner-takes-all clash. Victory would send the Emeralds through to the 2027 Women’s Baseball World Cup Finals.

How the game unfolded

Australia did an admirable job early of limiting hard contact thanks to some nice work from starting pitcher Bronwyn Gell.

But the Americans showed why they are favourites by manufacturing runs and capitalising on every opportunity.

Naomi Ryan singled home the opening run in the first inning to give the USA a 1-0 lead.

Facing Whitmore, Australia remained patient at the plate and worked deep counts. The approach paid off in the second inning when Leah Cornish doubled before Claire O’Sullivan singled up the middle to tie the game at one.

The USA regained the lead in the third. Fresh off a two-home run performance, Ashton Lansdell found a hole through the Australian shift to make it 2-1 before later stealing home during a rundown to extend the lead to 3-1.

Australia’s most experienced Emerald, Bronwyn Gell, did well to induce soft contact throughout her outing and received excellent defensive support. Lili Cavanagh made a superb running catch in centre field, while Claire O’Sullivan produced a diving stop at second base.

The Emeralds answered immediately to get themselves in the right.

Jamie Bastian, Lili Cavanagh and Ticara Geldenhuis opened the inning with three consecutive hits, with Geldenhuis driving in a run on an infield single to cut the deficit to 3-2. One out later, Cornish lined an RBI double to level the scores at 3-3.

The deadlock didn’t last long.

Benites, one of the game’s biggest stars, launched a three-run home run to centre field in the bottom of the inning to restore the American advantage at 6-3.

Gell finished with 3.0 innings, allowing six runs (five earned) on six hits with one walk and one strikeout before Abbey Kelly took over in relief.

The USA capitalised in the fourth, scoring four runs through a combination of timely hitting and aggressive small ball.

Ryan drove in her second run of the night, while Benites and Lansdell also collected RBIs as the lead stretched to 10-3.

With the bases loaded and one out, 37-year-old debutant Jess Johnson entered the game in danger of the contest ending via the mercy rule.

Instead, she delivered one of Australia’s brightest moments of the tournament.

Johnson induced a ground ball before striking out the final batter of the inning to strand the bases loaded, then returned with another scoreless frame in the fifth. Her 2.2 shutout innings marked just the second and third scoreless innings thrown against the United States during the tournament.

Whitmore finished after four innings, allowing six hits and three runs while striking out five.

Australia continued to battle.

The Emeralds loaded the bases in the fifth but couldn’t break through before Molly Paddison delivered a two-out, two-RBI double later in the game to bring Australia’s final tally to five runs.

Despite the loss, Australia showed it can compete with the world’s best and will now turn its full attention to Sunday’s must-win showdown against Korea, with a place at the 2027 Women’s Baseball World Cup Finals on the line.

CURRENT STANDINGS

Top three teams qualify for the World Cup Finals, a group of six, held in 2027 in Rockford.

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

24 July 2026 By Eric Balnar

By Eric Balnar

- Team Australia

Emeralds shine with 21-0 win over Hong Kong, China to improve to 2-0 at World Cup

The Emeralds continued their 2026 WBSC Women’s Baseball World Cup campaign in emphatic fashion, cruising to a 21-0 victory over Hong Kong in five innings.

Australia piled on 18 hits, including seven extra-base hits, while four pitchers combined on a two-hit shutout to give the Emeralds the perfect start to Pool A.

BOX SCORE: All the stats

The game also provided a chance for six of Australia’s seven World Cup debutants to make their mark. Molly Paddison, Riordan Bradley, Chloe Atkinson, Jamieson Bastian, Mackenzie Jackson and Brittney Baker all made big impacts in the green and gold.

Paddison finished 2-for-2 with a triple, three RBI and a run scored.

Bradley also collected her first international hit and drove in two runs, while Bastian singled and scored twice.

Atkinson reached base twice via walks and drove in a run.

Both Jackson and Baker each threw a scoreless inning in relief. Jackson earned the victory after retiring the side in the fourth, while Baker struck out two during a clean third inning.

HUB: Follow Australia, Schedule, Streaming, Scores

“Today was almost the perfect game for us,” said Australia’s manager Jason Pospishil. “We took care of business in a very professional manner. The biggest positive was we were able to give some players their Emeralds’ debut and I’m sure it’s a day they’ll never forget.”

Australia wasted little time taking control. They scored three in the first, before blowing the game open with seven runs in the second. Six in the third, and four in the fourth, and Australia led 20-0 after four.

There were all kinds of gaudy stat lines.

Elodie O’Sullivan backed up her huge outing vs Mexico with a game-high four RBI after going 3-for-4 with a double.

Captain Caitlin Eynon went 3-for-4 with a double, three RBI and three runs scored. Leah Cornish also collected three hits, including a double and triple, while Abbey Kelly scored three runs and drove in two.

Gen Beacom added two RBI as 14 different players in Australia’s lineup reached base.

On the mound, Meaghan Haggart started with two perfect innings before Baker, Jackson and Maddison Erwin completed the shutout. The quartet combined to allow just two hits, one walk and struck out four.

Australia continues Pool Play Saturday morning vs the USA, looking to build on a commanding opening performance.

“The energy around the team has been great. We have some foundational pillars that we attempt to respect and so far they have been exemplary in that regard,” said Pospishil. “We have our arms lined up the two feel best match-up with the USA so we’re in a good spot for tomorrow.”

The game starts at 10:00AM AEST.

Stats, via WBSC website

Batting

2B :(1) CAVANAGH, Lili Pearl;(1) EYNON, Caitlin Jane;(1) CORNISH, Leah Lorraine Ai Han;(1) BASTIAN, Jamieson L S;(1) O’SULLIVAN, Elodie Nona

3B :(1) PADDISON, Molly Cate;(1) CORNISH, Leah Lorraine Ai Han

RBI :(2) CAVANAGH, Lili Pearl;(2) BRADLEY, Riordan Isabella;(3) PADDISON, Molly Cate;(3) EYNON, Caitlin Jane;(1) CORNISH, Leah Lorraine Ai Han;(1) ATKINSON, Chloe Grace;(4) O’SULLIVAN, Elodie Nona;(2) BEACOM, Genevieve;(2) KELLY, Abbey Michelle

BB :(1) CAVANAGH, Lili Pearl;(1) GELDENHUIS, Ticara;(2) ATKINSON, Chloe Grace;(2) O ` SULLIVAN, Claire Lesley;(2) HEATH, Maddison Joy;(1) KELLY, Abbey Michelle

SF :(1) ATKINSON, Chloe Grace;(1) O’SULLIVAN, Elodie Nona

TB :(2) CAVANAGH, Lili Pearl;(1) BRADLEY, Riordan Isabella;(4) PADDISON, Molly Cate;(4) EYNON, Caitlin Jane;(6) CORNISH, Leah Lorraine Ai Han;(2) BASTIAN, Jamieson L S;(4) O’SULLIVAN, Elodie Nona;(2) BEACOM, Genevieve;(2) KELLY, Abbey Michelle
Fielding

DP :(1) CORNISH, Leah Lorraine Ai Han;(1) BEBBERE, Allison

23 July 2026 By Eric Balnar

By Eric Balnar

Community

Hall of Fame Chats: Samantha Hamilton

Early this year, Baseball Australia revealed six new additions to the Australian Baseball Hall of Fame.

It’s a rightfully a hard group to crack. You have to be among the best to ever to it in this country.

I’ve started with Samantha Hamilton. She’s one of the most decorated players in women’s baseball history.

Her resume and some notes on her career can be found below. What’s amazing about Samantha is she did not start playing baseball until she was in her 20s.

It adds remarkable context to an extraordinary career in a phenomenal era of women’s baseball.

Samantha is among just six players globally to have competed in all of the first five IBAF Women’s World Cups between 2004 and 2012. She competed in three World Series before then, playing in Major League stadiums.

Across a 13-year national team career, she delivered consistently elite performances and played a key role in Australia’s early international success, including bronze (2001), gold (2002) and silver (2003) at the Women’s World Series, along with a silver medal at the 2010 World Cup and the 2006 stolen bases title.

She played a crucial role both defensively and offensively during Australia’s historic silver medal campaign at the 2010 World Cup in Venezuela. That tournament, by the way, was crazy. You HAVE to hear her accounts of it…

You can listen on Spotify…or Apple…or wherever you get your pods. Search baseball.com.au.

Across a 16-year career with Victoria at the Australian Women’s Championships, Hamilton was an integral part of the squad that secured ten national titles. She delivered a walk-off double in the 2011 National Championship Gold Medal game and was awarded the National Championship Hitting Award and All-Star Team honours in 2012.

She also went overseas.

In 2005, Hamilton was among the first Australians to play semi-professionally, completing a season in Japan with Taiken Wellness of Tokyo College.

At club level, she was a founding member of Doncaster Baseball Club and became the first woman to reach 350 games.

It’s an incredible career.

Listen to the conversation below.

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