News

It’s Day 3 of the Under 16 Championship and most of the games have been moved to Gilchrist Oval, home of the MacArthur Oval.

Here you will find recaps, standings, game time changes,  and the Carve Performers of the Day!

For the master AYC Hub, head to baseball.com.au/ayc2025.

For live scoring, head to GameChanger and search ‘2025 Australian U16 Youth Championship’ in the GameChanger App to follow along. You can grab the link directly here. 

SCHEDULE / RESULTS

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Western Australia 15 def New South Wales Country 0
South Australia 9 def NSW Country 4
Victoria 13 def Queensland 1
South Australia 4 def Western Australia 3
New South Wales 12 def Roos 1

End of Day Standings

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

*clinched top four spot
^clinched top spot

New Schedule for Day 4:

CARVE PERFORMERS OF THE DAY

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Carve are giving out performance sunglasses to one player from each team in the U16 division for the first two days.

Congrats to our winners from Day 3. You can collect your glasses from the Carve tent from January 10-13 at Blacktown.

New South Wales Country – Archie Sampson: Two solid games. He pitched 1.1 innings with no runs and three strikeouts vs South Australia. He also was 1-for-1 with an RBI. Against WA, Archie went 1-for-2.

South Australia – Archie Carman: The hero for South Australia, going 2-for-4 with a walk-off 2-RBI double to secure first place in the pool.

Queensland – Buzz Mecham – Buzz went 1-for-2 with a double this afternoon at MacArthur.

Victoria – Cooper Busch – In Victoria’s 13-1 win, he pitched & hit. On the mound he went 3.0 shutout innings allowing just three hits. With the bat, Busch went 2-for-3 with 2RBI.

Western Australia – Quinn Fatai – A five RBI day for Fatai. In the first game vs NSWC, Fatai went 1-for-2 with 4RBI & 2BB. In the second game vs SA he went 1-for-3 with an RBI.

New South Wales – Ryan Reekie – The shortstop led New South Wales with three hits, including a triple, and three RBI in their big 12-1 win.

Roos – Jarvis Johansen – He went 1-for-1 with an RBI in the first inning to put Roos up early on NSW.

Congratulations!

RECAPS

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Western Australia 15 def New South Wales Country 0 – Western Australia allow one hit in big win to improve to 3-0

Luan van Plunder and Cooper Troung combined to allow one hit and one walk in a dominant 15-0 win for Western Australia played over two days.

Quinn Fatai had a big game, driving in four runs in the victory. Taylor Cook and Riley Lines drove in three runs of their own.

The game started yesterday at Blacktown. van Splunder (below) tossed 3.0 innings allowing no hits and one walk while striking out three. When the game was called due to rain on Wednesday, Taylor Cook had three RBI and Western Australia led 5-0.

Western Australia started resumed play by scoring seven runs off two hits in the bottom of the third.

Overall, Western Australia tallied ten hits and drew ten walks.

Archie Sampson had the lone hit for New South Wales Country.

SOUTH AUSTRALIA 9 def NEW SOUTH WALES COUNTRY 4 – South Australia draw 13 walks to stay unbeaten at U16s, can clinch finals with Victorian loss

South Australia has improved to 4-0 after defeating New South Wales Country at Gilchrist Oval.

They are on the cusp of clinching a finals spot, although not mathematically eliminated.

The South Aussies drew 13 walks and tallied five hits in the win. At one point, they led 8-0.

Seven runs in the second inning proved to be the pivotal inning.

Angus Hennessy and Ollie Fielder both drew three walks, while Owen Couzner led the hitting by going 2-for-3 with an RBI.

Ollie Hayes started or South Australia, tossing 4.0 innings with two hits, no earned runs and two strikeouts.

Owen Couzner and Mitchell Jennings did not allow a run in relief for SA.

New South Wales Country scored four runs late. Archie Sampson had an RBI. Riley Coombes had the other RBI.

A loss to Victoria later today clinches a top four spot for South Australia.

VICTORIA 13 def QUEENSLAND 1 – Victorian bats run wild vs Queensland in big win

Victorian bats came alive in a monster way in their 13-1 win over Queensland.

They tallied 15 hits as a team with a crescendo in the fifth inning where they plated seven.

All nine starters had a hit. No player had more than two RBI, showing off what a team effort it was.

Look, they scored a lot and it was a big team performance. Here are some of the big performers:

– Cooper Bishop-Worn: 1-for-4
– Oscar Shimakura: 2-for-2 with 2RBI and a walk
– Cooper Busch: 2-for-3 with 2RBI
– Ned Richards: 1-for-1
– Euan Clarkin: 2-for-3 with 2RBI and 1BB
– Mitch Langworthy: 2-for-2 with an RBI and 1BB
– Brody Stokes: 2-for-4 with 2RBI
– Matt Fielden: 1-for-3 with an RBI
– Lincoln Grech: 1-for-2 with 2BB
– Kycen Dowling: 1-for-2, 1RBI, 2BB

Cooper Busch also tossed 3.0 innings allowing three hits and no runs.

SA 4 def WA 3 – Archie Carman walk-off clinches top spot for South Australia in pool play

South Australia will finish as the first seed in Pool Play of the Under 16s after Archie Carman’s 2-RBI walk off double.

When Archie Carman stepped up to the plate, South Australia were down 3-2. His two-RBI double to left sealed the deal.

He went 2-for-4 with 2RBI.

“I don’t even know what just happened,” said a clearly excited Carman in an interview after the game.

The win secures a 5-0 record for South Australia with one pool play game to go. They can’t finish lower than the one seed.

South Australia led early, scoring two runs in the first off Liem Pham-Ellickson stealing home and an error from Western Australia.

WA tied the game in the top of the fourth thanks to a double by Cooper Barber and a walk by Monty Smith.

They took the lead in the fifth when Quinn Fatain cashed in a run on a one-out ground out.

Archie Moffat was solid on the mound for Western Australia. He turned in 4.1 of relief work, allowing no runs and three hits.

Kyan Taufui opened the game for South Australia. The lefty allowed two hits and two runs over 3.1.

Western Australia managed just two hits – Quinn Fatai.

New South Wales 12 def Roos 1 – New South Wales storm home to even up record at 2-2 at end of Day 3

A double from Jarvis Johansen put the Roos on the board early, but New South Wales poured it on from there.

New South Wales combined for ten hits and twelve runs, scoring multiple times in the first, third, fourth and fifth innings.

Ryan Reekie led the charge for Metro. He went 3-for-4 with three RBI and two runs. His two-RBI triple in the fifth inning put the game to bed in the fifth.

Christian Morrison  had three RBI to pair with his 2-for-2 performance at the plate. Kai Ueki also had two hits for New South Wales.

Jake Shorey, Tristan Crynes and Will Hooper pitched well for New South Wales, just allowing one hit.

The win moves New South Wales back to .500 with a 2-2 record.

Another day of rain affected play at the Under 16 National Championships.

Here you will find game recaps, highlights, stories and photos from Day 1. For social media coverage follow us at Baseball.com.au.

Please note: the schedule for Day 3 (below) has been adjusted with the majority of games being played at Gilchrist Oval, home of the MacArthur Orioles.

For the master AYC Hub, head to baseball.com.au/ayc2025. For live scoring, head to GameChanger and search ‘2025 Australian U16 Youth Championship’ in the GameChanger App to follow along. You can grab the link directly here. 

SCHEDULE / RESULTS / STANDINGS

Diamond 1 – South Australia 8 def Queensland 6
Diamond 1 – Victoria 6 def New South Wales 2

Postponed – Western Australia 5 lead New South Wales Country 0, to be continued

Gilchrist Oval – South Australia 13 def Roos 0
Gilchrist Oval – Queensland 3 def Roos 1

STANDINGS AT END OF DAY

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

REVISED DAY 3 SCHEDULE 

RECAPS

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South Australia 8 def Queensland 6 – SA holds on late to improve to 2-0 

Queensland had the tying runs at the plate in the final inning, nearly overcoming an early 6-0 deficit in a Diamond 1 thriller.

Angus Hennessy led the South Aussies with three hits. Ollie Hayes, Taj Williams and Archie Carman each had a pair of hits.

Isiah Carrington, Lachlan Pawsey, Leo McKenna and Buzz Mecham had two hits for Queensland.

South Australia was productive early, scrapping together runs in each of their first five innings including four in the second. They led 7-1 after the top of the fourth.

Tommy Bird pitched 2.1 innings in his start, allowing just one run.

The formula was simple for South Australia: get on base and use their athleticism to score.

South Australia scored their first six runs via a sacrifice fly, a ground out, a double, walk, an error and a wild pitch.

Jack Wilton extended the lead to 7-1 with an RBI single in the fourth. Ollie Hayes scored South Australia’s eighth run thanks to a ground ball single in the in the fifth.

Queensland made their move in the sixth and final inning. Down 8-3, Queensland closed the gap by scoring on a sacrifice fly, a bases loaded walk, and a wild pitch.

Eventually Lien Pham-Ellickson struck out the final batter of the game.

South Australia made plenty of nice defensive plays in the game, including two pick-offs and a double play with bases loaded.

“We felt amazing, very confident coming into the game,” says Ollie Hayes. “We were very aggressive. Our defense was very good. Knowing that our defense behind the pitcher is good means we are very confident. We can win the whole thing. We’re good at offence, good at defense and good all around.”

Victoria 6 def New South Wales 2 – Victoria explode for big time runs after lengthy rain delay

The game started at 11:45AM, endured a 5+ hour rain delay, and was called short due to more weather after four innings, but the Vics managed to squeeze out a win.

New South Wales had a 1-0 lead at the rain delay after Draven Fatu drove in a run.

After a long rain delay, Victoria pounced. They scored six runs in the bottom of the second, tallying seven hits and scoring six runs. Euan Clarkin provided the getaway moment with a single that helped plate three.

Clarkin finished the day going 2-for-3 with 2 RBI. Oscar Shimakura and Jonathan Park also had two hits for Victoria.

Victoria combined for ten hits on the day.

Kai Ueki and Draven Fatu had two hits for New South Wales.

South Australia 13 def Roos 0 – Tommy Bird goes deep as South Australia improve to 3-0 in no-hitter win

South Australia drew 16 walks and combined for six hits in a big win to improve to 3-0.

This game was played at MacArthur Baseball Club after wild weather caused havoc at the U16s.

The game was punctuated by a Tommy Bird home run, the first of the Under 16 tournament.

South Australian pitchers Luke Kennedy, Zac Fraser and Angus Hennessy combined for a six inning no-hitter. They struck out eight batters, led by a five punch out effort by Kennedy.

Queensland 3 def Roos 1 – Queensland rides hot pitching to pick up first win of the tournament

Queensland held on to win a nail biter over Roos and improve their tournament record to 1-2 in a game that ended at 10:30PM local time at Gilchrist.

Kai Flynn-Ballard turned in a fine performance on the mound for Queensland, tossing 4.2 innings with five strikeouts while allowing just three hits, one run and two walks.

Isaiah Carrington and Leo McKenna combined to pitched the last 2.1 innings, allowing no hits or runs.

The Queensland arms needed to be strong because Rory Gately was twirling a gem for the Roos. Gately threw 6.0 innings, struck out eight, and allowed just three runs in the loss.

Alonzo Griffin provided a key RBI double in the fourth inning to put Queensland up 2-0.

Theo Rutgers (VIC) cut the lead in half with a sacrifice fly in the fourth for the Roos.

Steffanutto provided a much needed insurance run in the sixth on an RBI double to left field.

 

Welcome to the daily recap of a rain affected Day 1 of the Under 16 National Championships.

Here you will find game recaps, highlights, stories and photos from Day 1.

For social media coverage follow us at Baseball.com.au.

For the master AYC Hub, head to baseball.com.au/ayc2025. Note, because of the rain, there is a new schedule for Day 2.

New South Wales will play for Gold at the 2025 Under 18 Australian Youth Championships.

They’ll face the winner of Western Australia and South Australia.

For scores and results, head to www.baseball.com.au/ayc2025.

Under 18 Finals Day Recap (Jan 14) – Click here.

Under 16 Gold Medal Recap (Jan 13) – Click here. 

 

Over half of teams in Major League Baseball will have a presence at this week’s Australian Youth Baseball Championships.

They’ll have their eyes peeled on the best young Australian baseball talent.

For the competing baseballers aged 14-17, there’s more than just state pride on the line.

They’re playing in front of professional scouts and colleges, trying to make a name for themselves or solidify an opportunity overseas.

The Australian Youth Championships is an important step in their performance pathway.

 

We expect upwards of 18 scouts from 16 different Major League Baseball affiliations to be present at the upcoming event, taking notes on the best & brightest young Australian talent.

That’s over half of Major League Baseball with a presence in Sydney this week.

Follow the Australian Youth Championships from Jan 7-15 in Sydney: www.baseball.com.au/ayc2025/

Any of these scouts may offer an Australian player a professional contract.

Recent AYC players who signed pro include the likes of Max Durrington, Drew Davies, Ali Tanner, Jayden Kim & Jack Bushell.

Here’s the list:

Athletics – Dan Betreen
Boston Red Sox – Jason Karegeannes
Cincinnati Reds – Mat Everingham & Donald Lutz
Chicago Cubs – Brent Phelan
Detroit Tigers – Kevin Hooker
Los Angeles Dodgers – Jon Deeble
Milwaukee Brewers – Russell Teichmann
New York Mets – Andrew Riddell
New York Yankees – John Wadsworth
San Diego Padres – Mark Saunderson
Philadelphia Phillies – Brett Ward
Pittsburgh Pirates – Tony Harris & David Kim
Kansas City Royals – Phil Dale & Neil Burke
San Diego Padres – Mark Saunderson
Tampa Bay Rays – Lionel Hariss
Texas Rangers – Joe Furawaka

The Australian Youth Championships start on January 7.

Grab all the tournament information, including team specific previews, from www.baseball.com.au/ayc2025.

Queensland won the Under 18 championships in 2023 but missed out on the medal rounds in 2024. Can they return to the top?

Preparation is at an all-time high with a large chunk of the teams playing in a tournament in Taiwan in December.

Let’s see what the Queenslanders can do in 2025!

For all your tournament information, head to www.baseball.com.au/ayc2025/.

We’re previewing each state in the U16 and U18 ahead of the 2025 Australian Youth Baseball Championships in Blacktown from January 7-15. Head here for full coverage and schedule.

Make sure you follow us at @baseball.com.au on Instagram and Facebook for coverage.

Broadcast of games on Diamond 1 will be provided live, free and on-demand on Baseball+.

UNDER 16 ROSTER – QUEENSLAND

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Queensland bring an experienced squad to the fray. Fourteen players are aged 15 at the time of the tournament.

You’ll want to remember this name: Alonzo Zaire Griffin.

The 15-year-old was hurt in the first game of last year’s tournament but he is one of the best of his age-group. He won a Little League and Intermediate League World Series with the Brisbane North Vikings and played for Australia’s U16 team.

Griffin is a legitimate two-way star.

Tirrell Waiwai has also helped Brisbane North win a few championships. He’ll be slated to start some important games this tournament.

Thomas White pitched a gutsy effort in the 2024 Junior League Championship game. He has winning experience and can go deep into games.

Outfielder Logan Lokeni has been teammates with Griffin & Waiwai throughout their Little League exploits and is primed to make an impact, too.

“Logan Lokeni, he’s one of the youngest in the team still playing senior league but his attitude and determination is something that everyone in our team should and does admire,” say teammate Bailey Russell.

Blake Pearce, Hunter Ryan and Troy Dean are three more 15-year-olds who are listed as pitchers. The depth should pay off.

The Under 16s have the pitching, they have the stars, and they have players who have championship experience.

Will the stars align for them in Blacktown?

UNDER 18 ROSTER – QUEENSLAND

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Queensland should be contenders. They have a nice blend of experience, Team Australia talent, and high-level preparation.

Much of this group played in in an international tournament in Taiwan in December. They also had an exhibition game vs New Zealand in early December, and time vs Perfect Game USA in January. They’re in form.

They also have three position players and a pitcher who represented Australia at last month’s U18 World Cup Qualifiers.

They are: catcher Cooper Teichmann, catcher Wes Wilford, outfielder Liam Kiddle and pitcher Kobi Wise.

The Team Australia catching duo of Teichmann and Wilford should provide great stability.

Of all the names to watch for most Queensland players shoutout 17-year-old middle-infielder / pitcher Caleb Duke.

“He was our captain on the Taiwan trip,” says teammate Andre Chang. “He is a powerful two way who can perform on both the mound and the batter’s box while playing solid defence up the middle when needed.”

Pitcher Kobi Wise moves up from the 16s to the 18s this season. He tossed three innings vs USA 15U in September, allowing just one run.

16-year-olds Cooper Teichmann, Kobi Wise, Thomas Calvert and Paddy McLoughlin all also played for Australia’s U16 team on a USA tour in September.

17-year-old Luka Moore is also gaining attention from teammates.

“He’s a hard worker with a firm fastball I’m hoping he does well this tournament,” says Paddy McLoughlin.

Regional areas of New South Wales have produced some great baseball players.

From the Wells twins, to Rixon Wingrove, to Tim Atherton, the McMillan sisters, to Ryan Rowland Smith and beyond, the country of New South Wales is a baseball hotbed.

Both the U16 and U18 age groups missed out on the medal rounds last year. Can they bounce back?

We’re excited to watch some promising talent this January in Blacktown.

For all your tournament information, head to www.baseball.com.au/ayc2025/.

We’re previewing each state in the U16 and U18 ahead of the 2025 Australian Youth Baseball Championships in Blacktown from January 7-15. Head here for full coverage and schedule.

Make sure you follow us at @baseball.com.au on Instagram and Facebook for coverage.

Broadcast of games on Diamond 1 will be provided live, free and on-demand on Baseball+.

NEW SOUTH WALES COUNTRY – UNDER 16

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This should be a lively but young team. Ten players on the 20-man squad are aged 14. This year is about developing for the future.

That says, there is a nice leadership core present. Returning players Austin Turner & Archie Sampson, Baxter Nee should lead the charge.

Archie Sampson and Jesse Garnero both represented Australia at the 2024 Junior League World Series after winning a national title with Cronulla in May.

“Achie is a leader who really brings a positive energy to the team,” says fellow teammate Jian Chen.

The national championship experience is there, for sure.

But the rising crop of athletes is the most tantalising.

We’re looking forward to watching the ever developing curve ball of Coffs Harbour’s Denzel Wynne-Primus. Great baseball name too.

Camden’s Owen Hart has been pegged as a pitcher to watch, too.

Many players on Country New South Wales point to 14-year-old Austin Turner as “must watch.”

Turner is a pitcher from Newcastle who has overcome a lot.

“He is the lower end of the age group but you wouldn’t think that due to his size and strength. I have played with Austin for many years and we often train together outside of our club and representative training,” says catcher Baxter Nee. “He challenges me as a catcher but more importantly, I have watched him grow and develop his pitching skills over the years. I know he has struggled each time he had a growth spurt, having to retrain his mechanics. He never gives up and his ability is something you would expect from someone who is older. He has a great sense of humor and is very funny, I am proud to play with him doing what we both love and enjoy.”

What more is there to say?

Turner says his story is one of resilience.

“I am the second youngest person on our team,” he says. “The past 12 months have been hard for me as I have been fighting a disease that we didn’t know about until recently called Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis. I was feeling really unwell and exhausted all the time and had to keep trying to push through and not let it affect my baseball or schooling which was hard. But after starting on medication I have been feeling a lot better and have had much more fun playing baseball as it was not such a struggle to just get up in the morning.”

We’re cheering for you!

Offensively, Baxter Nee should shoulder some load. He has great command behind the plate and has some pop. The Newcastle-native can also play third base.

14-year-old Liam Gardner, from Belmont Baseball Club in Newcastle, might get an opportunity to shine in the middle-infield too.

We can’t wait to watch this crop of Country Kids do their thing!

NEW SOUTH WALES COUNTRY – UNDER 18

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I wouldn’t sleep on this NSW Country U18s team.

They have a really solid foundation returning for their second year of 18s, a good crop graduating from the Under 16s, and a couple Team Australia stars.

Let’s start with the returning players from last year’s U18 squad. They are: Lachlan O’Sullivan, Sam Davis, Chris Morgan, Connor McArthy, Riley Watson, Riley Cooper, Hamish Weekes, Kallen Barker, Hamish Gleeson

Riley Cooper, from Northern NSW, was lights out for Australia at the recent U18 Qualifiers vs New Zealand. Cooper went 6-for-17 with a double and seven runs batted in. He also played for Australia at the Perfect Game World Series.

“He’s a stud hits for both power and contact also fields well,” says Riley Watson of his teammate, Riley Cooper.

Riley Watson is no slouch himself. He was arguably the star player of NSW Country as a 16-year-old in 2024.

Lachlan O’Sullivan should provide stability on the mound and outfield. We’ll also look at top age players Alex Poole, Chris Morgan, Kallen Barker and Tristan Clapham to provide steady heads as pitcher.

Sam Davis is tipped to be strong behind the plate.

Chris Morgan has been pitching first grade for powerhouse Blacktown Workers.

Up from the 16s are the likes of Will Klein-Schiphorst, Tyler Boggiss, Cormac Boggiss, Ben Frost and Patrick Harrison.

Cam Howay, who won a gold medal with NSW Metro last year, also joins this country side.

Klein-Schiphorst, from Wyong Wildcats, represented Australia at the U16 level this past year.

Gosford’s Kai Pora is intriguing. He’s only 16 and has been playing baseball just for two years. He’ll play both outfield and centrefield.

“My personal trainer encouraged me to play. I got given my very first glove by a player that I didn’t even know and that made me fall in love with the game,” says Pora.

Let’s see how New South Wales Country will roll!

‘Gold Medal’ is part of the vocabulary when it comes to New South Wales baseball.

No state has higher participation, no state has more national junior team players, no state has greater expectations when it comes to tournament baseball.

In 2024, the Under 16s dominated and rolled their way to a Gold Medal. Many of these players have moved up an age bracket.

The Under 18s finished first in the minor rounds in 2024 but bowed out without a medal. Can they turn it around

For all your tournament information, head to www.baseball.com.au/ayc2025/.

We’re previewing each state in the U16 and U18 ahead of the 2025 Australian Youth Baseball Championships in Blacktown from January 7-15. Head here for full coverage and schedule.

Make sure you follow us at @baseball.com.au on Instagram and Facebook for coverage.

Broadcast of games on Diamond 1 will be provided live, free and on-demand on Baseball+.

NEW SOUTH WALES – U16

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It’s a completely different squad than the group who won Gold in 2024 with a couple players returning.

Don’t be fooled – this team is still loaded with talent. It’s also a largely top age team, with 16 of the 20 players aged 15 at tournament time.

When it comes to players to watch, players like two-way star Jake Shorey and pitcher Will Bonham just travelled with Cronulla to the Junior League World Series, winning an Australian national title along the way.

Bonham in particular was brilliant for Cronulla at Junior League. In one of his starts he struck out all eleven batters he faced.

Other pitchers to watch includes 15-year-olds Tristan Crynes, Kai Harris, Harley Gibson, Kai Ueki, Will Hooper, Christian Morrison, Parker Willard plus 14-year-olds Jack Kelly and Roman Ellis.

The point? New South Wales have a lot of different pitching options.

We asked every NSW player for a teammate to watch. The majority said one name: Draven Fatu.

“His lead up during the season has been great and he is a great teammate,” says Jake Shorey.

“Draven hits well, with both consistency and power,” says Daniel Price.

“He just hits bombs,” says Parker Willard.

You get the idea.

Roman Ellis is an intriguing outfielder. The 14-year-old is in the midst of his first year playing baseball since relocating back to Sydney from New York with his family.

In New York, Ellis played travel ball with New York Gothams for three years, achieving Perfect Game All Tournament Awards twice.

“I’m really excited to have made this NSW state team,” says Ellis.

Shortstop Ryan Reekie returns to the state squad for the first time since 2023. He’s also caused havoc on the base paths with Ryde.

New South Wales has fresh faces, deep pitching, and game changing players. Will it click at home in Blacktown?

NEW SOUTH WALES – U18

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Only South Australia had more junior national team members than the Under 18s of New South Wales.

Tahlan Cavill, Christian Lane, Mason Malkoun, Ethan Bickel and Damien Wilson all suited up for Australia at the recent U18 World Cup Qualifiers vs New Zealand.

Add in Lincoln Gruppelaar who played for New Zealand and Josh Nati who missed the tournament due to injury and this team is loaded.

Further, many of the new faces on the team were part of the dominant U16 NSW squad who won Gold in 2024.

Of note, Mason Malkoun, Lachie Vella and Josh Nati return from last year’s squad to help pace the offence.

Malkoun has been playing first grade for powerhouse club Blacktown Workers and was one of the RBI leaders for Australia at the World Cup Qualifiers.

Josh Nati is arguable the biggest name in the tournament. He’s been committed to Oregon State University since 2022, has professional scouts buzzing, and is the reigning Golden Glove winner from last year’s tournament.

But there are others.

Catcher Lachlan West has committed to Wenatchee Valley Community College in Washington State.

Christian Lane played for ACT in 2024 but returns to NSW as the in-form hitter for Team Australia. Lane went 5-for-12 with three doubles, a triple, eight walks and seven runs in the qualifiers vs New Zealand.

“He’s just a pure good hitter and has power,” says pitcher Daniel Thwaites of Lane.

Tahlan Cavill won the Golden Bat Award at the Under 16 nationals last year. He also put up gaudy numbers for Australia at the World Cup Qualifiers.

The 2024 U16 MVP Fletcher Willard also makes the jump to the 18s age bracket.

We get it – NSW can hit.

But how about their pitching?

Damien Wilson was arguably the ace of Team Australia’s U18 squad. Ethan Bickel was also outstanding.

Wilson says he’s been putting in the hard yards over the last 12-months.

“I’ve worked so hard for what I’ve achieved so far and my hard work has gotten me to where I am today,” he says “The endless hours of running and the boring 1%er’s that no one else does like yoga and daily exercise and stretching goes straight under the radar and has helped me to stand out.”

16-year-old Kobe Cusbert won the 2024 U16 Golden Arm.

Hisato Adachi, Max Hagger, Riley Puckett, Daniel Thwaites, Ashton Kennedy, Matt Trainor and Lachie Robinson can all chuck it, too.

This particular writer is keen to watch 17-year-old Matt Trainor and 16-year-old Ashton Kennedy. He was dominant for Cronulla in their run at the Senior League World Series.

Kennedy has already pitched Division 1 for Blacktown.

The defending Under 18 champions look to back up their crown, while a promising group of Under 16s look primed to make a Gold Medal run of their own.

How will things shake out? Here’s what you should know about Victoria at the Australian Youth Championships.

For all your tournament information, head to www.baseball.com.au/ayc2025/.

We’re previewing each state in the U16 and U18 ahead of the 2025 Australian Youth Baseball Championships in Blacktown from January 7-15. Head here for full coverage and schedule.

Make sure you follow us at @baseball.com.au on Instagram and Facebook for coverage.

Broadcast of games on Diamond 1 will be provided live, free and on-demand on Baseball+.

UNDER 16 – VICTORIA

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Victoria’s Under 16 may be young but they have top-end talent who could take them far.

Just six players on the squad have experience at an Australian Youth Championships.

One of those is corner infielder Mitchell Langworthy, a powerful bat playing in his third U16 event. He can also “throw gas” on the mound.

Langworthy starred for Victoria last year, driving in winning runs and making big plays. He was on the Australian U16 trip to the USA in September.

Third baseman Cooper Bush joined Langworthy on that U16 National squad trip.

From the younger generation, pitcher Ned Richards, utility man Parks Halasz and two-way guy Euan Clarkin look to parlay experience with the Aussie Termites squad who played in the 14U Perfect Game tournaments in July. 

On the mound, 15-year-olds Ethan Nakamura and Ned Richards will have to eat key innings to find success.

Keep your eyes peeled for 15-year-old pitcher Alex Smith, too. Smith is a native of Traralgon, a town in country Victoria. He models his game out Team Australia pitcher Blake Townsend who is also from Traralgon.

Break out performances is what makes this tournament so special.

UNDER 18 – VICTORIA

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It’s a different look to Victoria’s U18 team, with only six players from last year’s Gold Medal Squad.

But many players who won bronze with the Under 16s move up.

Andrew Land is likely the star of this line-up. The 17-year-old won Gold last year and is committed to Arizona Western College for the 2025-26 academic year.

Land went 8-for-18 with six RBI and 3 BB in five games vs New Zealand at the U18 World Cup Qualifiers in December.

A key strength of Victoria may well be their pitching.

Pitchers Hamish Stone, Zak Stafilis, Jesse Hando, Ned Johnson, Hudson Pallay, Liam Puncher and Windsor Breckenridge are all listed as pitcher only.

Stone played a key role in Victoria’s win last year. He’s reportedly swinging a hot stick in training, so he could be a duel threat. He is hitting .438 in the Division 2 and has a 3.27 ERA.

Stafilis has been producing at Charter Events and will look to parlay that experience into success at the U18 event. He’s been pitching for Waverley in Division 1 and played with Queensland in Taiwan to help prepare.

Ethan Johnston has also been playing Division 1 at Waverley.

Players on Victoria have also noted the potential for a big breakout from Jake Bertucci who is reportedly in red hot form both in season and in training.