Photos by Studio Honsa/Baseball.com.au
Victoria Aces finished in second place at the 2024 Australian Women's Baseball Showcase after an action-packed week in Lismore, NSW.
The tournament ran alongside the world’s first national Little League Girls Championship and was filled with World Cup players and AWC representatives.
Aces were 3-1 going into Sunday's gold medal game, where they faced Brisbane Bandits and eventually fell just short with a final score of 4-2.
Team Canada’s Raine Padgham proved too good on the mound as Aces were limited to four hits in the first five innings.
Team Japan Erika Nakae hit a late-game home run in the top of the fifth to cut the lead down to two. She went 2-for-3 at the plate with two runs and an RBI.
Jess Johnson pitched two perfect innings for Victoria with a strikeout, stifling the Brisbane bats and keeping the Aces at close distance.
Congratulations to all players and staff on an awesome tournament showcasing the best of the best in Australian women's baseball.
After an amazing week at the world's first Little League Girls National Championship in Lismore, Victoria Belles are happily coming home with a silver medal.
Belles made it all the way to the gold medal game after going 4-1 in pool play. They played NSW Blue for the championship title, and although it wasn't their day on the scoreboard, their infectious spirit and determination never wavered.
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The Belles took a leap in 2023 by entering an all-girls team into the Little League Division 2 National Championships. They helped inspire all states to come together and submit a team to the world’s first all-girls national title.
After dropping their first game of the tournament, the Belles won four in a row and came from behind in two of the games. They also got to meet incredible role models on the Victoria Aces, Brisbane Bandits, and Adelaide Giants teams competing in the 2024 Australian Women's Baseball Showcase alongside the Little League girls event.
“I don’t want to say I’m not suprised but I didn’t expect it to happen,” 10-year-old Taylor Elton said. “If I told myself four years ago you’re going to play in an all-girls tournament and be in a gold medal match I wouldn’t believe it.”
Elton feels this tournament has created a special bond between players.
“It’s really nice we get to share the experience together. I think there are friendships and bonds that could live on for years and years from now,” she added.
Head coach Leah Trebilcock radiates pride when talking about her team.
“Whilst we were incredibly privileged to break ground as the first all girls team at the Little League Division 2 Nationals, this year’s group of girls has redefined what it means to be a Belle," she said. "They have played with incredible heart and hustle, and refused to give up with their backs against the wall. This is by far the team-iest team I’ve had the pleasure to coach."
Congratulations Belles - our baseball community is so proud of you!
Players: Pia Amsing, Quorra Ridd, Eve McAndrew, Isabella McKenner, Georgia Brown, Emily Mills, Audrey Cheung, Emily Perks, Hannah Wilson-Powell, Lucy Gale, Molly Richards, Taylor Elton, Isla Theobald, Maddy SaundersCoaches: Leah Trebilcock, Delia Robey, Richard Elton
EO: Jess Morehouse
Scorer: Bobby Green
It was another action-packed day at the 2024 Australian Women's Baseball Showcase, with Victoria Aces playing a doubleheader in Lismore, NSW.
First up was Adelaide Giants, with Aces coming out on top 9-3 thanks to early runs and timely defensive plays.
Adelaide loaded the bases with nobody out in the top of the first inning, but Aces starter Morgan Doty was able to strand all three runners by getting the force out at home and then grounding into a double play.
But the highlight of the day belonged to Aces right fielder Jamie Bastian, who dove for a fly ball in the top of the second, stranding the runners at second and third to end the inning.
Japan representative Erika Nakae led the Aces bats, going 1-for-2 with a double and walk for 2 RBIs.
Aces ran out of steam in the second game, falling 10-3 to Brisbane Bandits after a big night for the O'Sullivan sisters.
Despite the loss, there were plenty of highlights, including Jasmine Bentley's impressive diving catch.
Team Japan representative Erika Nakae led the bats for the Aces, going 2-for-3 at the plate with a double.
Bentley, Abbey Kelly, and Kira Kuwamoto each had an RBI. Kuwamoto also pitched one inning, allowing just a single base runner.
Victoria Aces and Brisbane bandits will meet again for Sunday's championship game at 5pm.
Check out the official ABL event hub for more details and follow along on BV Facebook, Instagram and Twitter for updates. Watch all the action on Baseball+
Victoria Belles improved to 4-1 at the Australian Little League Girls Championship with a 13-8 win over NSW White on Saturday morning.
One of the biggest highlights of the game was the world's first home run in a national Little League girls championship, which belongs to Audrey Cheung of the Belles. This was her first-ever home run, a two-run shot in a six-run inning that helped Belles recover from a 6-2 deficit and flip the game on its head.
Audrey was thrilled to send the ball deep to centre field.
“All my coaches have always told me to focus on hitting a line drive and if you’re early you will hit it over the fences,” she said. “I was thinking line drive, line drive and try to hit it right centre to score the run from second and then it went over.”
Audrey says the experience at this national championship has been unforgettable.
“This is the biggest tournament I’ve ever had in my life to play baseball. I’m meeting so many people like girls from New South Wales, South Australia and other states that I’m definitely going to see if I want to play up on women’s teams and hope to see them as professionals one day too,” she added.
Belles and NSW Blue will play for gold at 9am on Sunday -make sure to watch it on Baseball+
Check out the official baseball.com.au event hub for more details and follow along on BV Facebook, Instagram and Twitter for updates.
Photos by Studio Honsa/Baseball.com.au
Victoria Aces are 2-0 at the 2024 Australian Women's Baseball Showcase after an 11-7 victory over Brisbane on Day 2.
With much better weather on Friday afternoon compared to the rain and fog on night one, Aces put their best defensive foot forward and hit a few home runs, too!
Victoria scored all 11 runs in the first three innings with back-to-back homers by Morgan Doty and Abbey McLellan.
Both Doty and McLellan led the team with two hits, and Doty also showcased her defensive prowess in centre field, including an incredible inning-ending sliding catch in the fourth.
Lili Cavanagh also demonstrated her show-stopping skill at shortstop with numerous web gems, capped off with a diving catch to get the out at second, nearly turning it into a double play.
In the end, all nine Victorian starters scored runs and seven had RBIs.
Aces have a doubleheader on Saturday, playing Adelaide Giants at 3:30pm and Brisbane again at 6pm. The gold medal game is scheduled for 5pm Sunday between Victoria and Brisbane.
Check out the official ABL event hub for more details and follow along on BV Facebook, Instagram and Twitter for updates. Watch all the action on Baseball+
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Photos by Studio Honsa/Baseball.com.au
Victoria Belles are having a blast at the Australian Little League Girls Championship!
Belles made it three in a row on Day 3 thanks to back-to-back victories, starting with a 7-1 win over Brisbane Rebels. Impressive pitching and strong defense made all the difference.
Lucy Gale was dominant on the hill for the Belles, as the righty rang up ten strikeouts while conceding just four hits and one run in four innings of work.
Emily Mills followed up her yesterday's walk-off by logging two hits today.
Belles had a narrow 2-1 lead before pulling away with two runs in the third and three in the fourth.
Next up, Belles took on West Coast Rays and withstood a late charge to win 16-9 and officially clinch a Top 2 spot in the group stages.
After giving up the first run, Belles settled in to score eleven unanswered runs for an 11-1 lead. The Rays made it 11-7 with a big fourth inning, but the Belles battled back to seal the deal and secure a spot in the gold medal game.
Check out the official baseball.com.au event hub for more details and stay tuned as the Belles continue their journey.
Follow along on BV Facebook, Instagram and Twitter for more updates.
Baseball Victoria will be sending two teams of youth girls (aged 13-16) to the third annual Barclay Cup from 29 September to 5 October 2024. The event will be held at Blacktown International Sportspark in Sydney.
Expressions of interest are now open for the following positions:
- Manager (Head Coach)
- Assistant Coach
- Pitching Coach
- Executive Officer
Applicants are required to meet the following criteria to apply:
- Minimum Level 3 Coaching Accreditation (Level 4 may also apply) in the “old” coaching accreditation system, until this expires.
- Minimum Level C Certification in the “new” USA Coach Certification system (manager/head coaches)
- Minimum Level B Certification in the “new” USA Coach Certification system (assistant and pitching coaches)
- Hold a current Working with Children Check
- Demonstrate knowledge of current best practice models and strategy
- Work within the Baseball Victoria Performance Pathway programs & philosophies
The commitment period for these teams includes a trial period in July followed by a two-day per week commitment from August through to the Barclay Cup starting at the end of September.
Position descriptions for coaches and officials can be found HERE.
Applications close Friday 7 June 2024 at midday and can be submitted via SurveyMonkey HERE.
Baseball Victoria is pleased to provide a Save The Date for the 2024 AGM, which will be held on Wednesday 30 October from 7-9pm at a location TBD.
AGM documentation and requirements will be provided closer to the date. Thank you and looking forward to another great year of baseball!
Photos by Studio Honsa/Baseball.com.au
The first-ever Australian Little League Girls Championship continued in Lismore, NSW on Thursday with Victoria Belles enjoying an epic day on the diamond.
Belles scored four runs in the top of the final inning to defeat Adelaide Seahorses 11-10 and pick up their first tournament victory in walk-off style.
Belles battled back from an early 6-0 deficit and scored all three of their final runs with two outs in the bottom of the last inning.
12-year-old Emily Mills, who started playing baseball just nine months ago, delivered the walk-off winning hit on a ground ball up the middle.
I realised when the last few runners came in that we were tied. Then Tay got a walk and I realised ‘Wow, it’s up to me to get a hit,” Mills said. “I was both nervous and excited.”
It’s the first walk-off hit of Emily’s young career after she spent the summer season with Research Lower Plenty Baseball Club.
“The comeback was really fun because we are all here to support each other and make sure we are all okay and have the best time ever,” she added.
Head coach Leah Trebilcock was thrilled to see the team's great spirit and comeback effort. Audrey Cheung led with 3 RBI, two hits, and a walk, although it was truly a team effort with 10 players reaching base.
Belles are now 1-1 headed into a busy Friday with a morning matchup v Brisbane followed by West Coast Rays.
Check out the official baseball.com.au event hub for more details and stay tuned as the Belles continue their journey.
Follow along on BV Facebook, Instagram and Twitter for more updates.