Victoria Aces have released a preliminary 10-player roster ahead of next month’s Australian Women’s Baseball Showcase in Geelong.
The host state has announced 10 locals for the May 5-8 showcase, including eight-time Emeralds World Cup representative Shae Lillywhite and highly-touted teenager Genevieve Beacom.
Gabby Bevan, Emily Devine, Morgan Doty, Bronwyn Gell, Abbey Kelly and Abbey McLellan, along with Beacom and Lillywhite will be making their second showcase appearance in Victoria’s debut.
Outfielder Leslie Anglin and catcher Jamie Bastian will be featuring in their first showcase.
Baseball Victoria President Andy Rose said it was exciting to lock in 10 Victorians on the preliminary roster.
“This is a fantastic opportunity for Australian women’s baseball, and it’s amazing that BV and the Aces are working together in this joint venture as we progress towards a professional women’s league,” Rose said. “Thank you to the Victorian Government for supporting the showcase through the Significant Sporting Events Program. We also thank the City of Greater Geelong for its support through community events grants.”
After serving as head coach for the 2022 Victorian Women’s State Team, Samantha Hamilton will return to coach Victoria Aces at the showcase, with pitching coach Stephen Black also confirmed.
“I’m thrilled about this opportunity for our dedicated women’s players who work tirelessly on and off the field to support the growth of women’s baseball in Australia,” Hamilton said. “The future is bright for women’s baseball, with these exceptional competitors leading the way and inspiring junior players to follow in their footsteps.”
“I’m honoured to be coaching such an elite group and look forward to watching them shine both at both upcoming nationals and the showcase.”
The Aces’ roster will be filled out following this month’s Australian Women’s Championship in Adelaide.
Victoria will take on the Adelaide Giants and Brisbane Bandits in the seven-game showcase series.
Each team will play four opening round games with the top-two teams to face off in the May 8 grand final.
The showcase is supported by the Victorian Government through its Significant Sporting Events Program.
City of Greater Geelong is also supporting the event through its community events grants.
The showcase is another step towards the launch of a professional women’s baseball league in Australia.
Tax-deductible donations towards a women’s league can be made at aleagueofherown.com.au.
Adelaide and Brisbane’s preliminary rosters will be announced shortly.
Travel packages are available through Baseball Australia’s official travel SportsLink Travel.
Head here for more information on packages and what Geelong and the Bellarine have to offer.
VICTORIA ACES PRELIMINARY ROSTER
- Leslie Anglin, OF (Newport Rams)
- Jamie Bastian, C (Doncaster Dragons)
- Genevieve Beacom, P/IF (Sandringham Royals)
- Gabby Bevan P (Springvale Lions)
- Emily Devine, C (Springvale Lions)
- Morgan Doty, OF (Newport Rams)
- Bronwyn Gell, IF (Doncaster Dragons)
- Abbey Kelly, P/OF (Essendon Bombers)
- Shae Lillywhite, IF (Springvale Lions)
- Abbey McLellan, IF (Footscray Bulldogs)