With the 2025 Australian Youth Championships on the horizon, the Victorian U16 and U18 State Teams are gearing up for an epic week on the national stage. 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.
Meet the players and coaches in our team preview and stay tuned for all the action from 7-15 January.
For all your tournament information, head to www.baseball.com.au/ayc2025/
UNDER 16 – VICTORIA
#6 Alexander Smith
Alex is a right-handed pitcher, shortstop, and third baseman playing for Chelsea Dolphins Baseball Club. He's been playing for 10 years and has one main goal for #AYC2025: "come home with gold". The 15-year-old baseballer is a native of Traralgon, and models his game after Team Australia pitcher Blake Townsend who is from the same town.
#5 Brodie Trevean
With seven years of baseball under his belt, Brodie Trevean, nicknamed "T", is ready for nationals. The catcher from Waverley Baseball Club credits his dad as his baseball role model, and has fond memories of previous baseball trips such as going to Japan to play. Some fun facts about Brodie? He's never broken a bone and his favorite walk-up song is "The Show Goes On". As for #AYC2025, his goals are to play well and win.
#17 Brody Stokes
Brody "Stokesy" Stokes of Essendon Baseball Club has been playing for seven years, and so far the sport has taken him all the way to the US to play. Brett Tamburrino is his baseball role model, and the middle infielder/outfielder's fun fact is that he used to be left-handed. He joins his teammates in saying his ultimate goal for the tournament is to win gold.
#3 Cooper Bishop-Worn
After bringing home bronze at last year's AYC, the Werribee Giants shortstop is ready for another shot at national glory. Cooper won his club's U16 Batting Average over the winter, and he's eager to bring his best to the upcoming tournament. His main goal: "to have fun while competing against the best Under 16 players in Australia".
#41 Cooper Busch
Cooper "Buschy" returns to the U16 State Team with 11 years of baseball under his belt. The third baseman and pitcher from Waverley Baseball Club says Andrelton Simmons is his baseball role model. After getting the chance to play the USA last year, Cooper is excited for another tournament with a gold medal on the line. His fun facts? Favourite walk-up song is "Bad to the Bone" and he has ties to the MLB - his uncle used to be the head of PR for the Miami Marlins.
#18 Ethan Kent
Ethan Kent, otherwise known by nicknames "Twigs" and "Kenty", has spent the past five years on the diamond and currently plays for Melbourne Baseball Club. The infielder looks up to Mookie Betts as his baseball role model and lived in America for a year. His favourite baseball memory is going to nationals and as he returns, he has his sights set on winning gold. Listen up for his favorite walk-up song "Sweet Escape".
#45 Ethan Nakamura
The 10-year player pitches for Waverley Baseball Club and looks up to Yu Darvish. His favourite baseball memory is playing catch with his dad when he was younger, and his top pick for a walk-up song is "Burn For You" by Toby Mac. When he's not playing ball, Ethan loves deep sea fishing, but right now his focus is on having fun and enjoying the AYC experience.
#88 Euan Clarkin
Euan, an outfielder and pitcher from Moorabbin Baseball Club, also has his eyes on the gold medal. He recently won VSBL Junior Player of the Week and has been known to hit home runs. His fun facts? He loves mandarins and his favourite walk-up song is "The Sounds" by Mac Miller.
#32 Jackson Burton
From Chelsea Dolphins Baseball Club, Jackson has played for seven years and has a state championship under his belt. This marks his first AYC appearance.
#77 Jonathan Park
Jonathan "J" Park of Waverley Baseball Club has spent the past four years playing baseball, and was introduced to the sport by his dad who recommended he try it out (originally he was going to play golf). The centre fielder looks up to Mookie Betts and Tommy Edman, and picks "Runaway Baby" by Bruno Mars as his walk-up song. He wants to help his team win a medal at this year's AYC.
#26 Kycen Dowling
The Doncaster Dragon has dedicated seven years to the sport. Also known as Kyc, he plays infield and looks up to Freddie Freeman because of his resilience. He remembers hitting a walk-off double at nationals and is eager to get Vic's medal campaign underway.
#8 Lincoln Grech
Lincoln "Gretchy" Grech plays for Essendon Baseball Club and has five years of experience in the books. The catcher looks up to Frankie Waters and has fond memories of watching the Cubs play against the Giants in 2016. He hopes to throw out a runner at this tournament.
#11 Marcus Murphy
The first-time State Team rep has been playing baseball for as long as he can remember. He's a pitcher and outfielder with Essendon Baseball Club, and he looks up to Kenny Powers as his baseball role model. One of his best baseball memories is throwing a no-hitter against Upwey Ferntree Gully, and he hopes to channel that energy and play his best this tournament.
#4 Matthew Fielden
The Moorabbin Panther has played for seven years and fondly remembers his first-ever walk-off. He looks up to fellow catcher Anson Aroz and is bringing a lot of team belief to this tournament as Vic looks to finish on top.
#9 Mitchell Langworthy
Moorabbin's Mitch Langworthy plays first base and third base, looking up to Cade Johnston with the key goals to play well and win. He was a key contributor in last year's bronze medal run, with a powerful bat driving in winning runs and making big plays. He joined Cooper Busch on the Australian U16 trip to the USA in September.
#12 Ned Richards
Also known as "Richo", Ned plays for Malvern and Frankston Baseball Clubs and has been a baseballer for 10 years. The pitcher calls his dad his baseball role model and has fond memories of playing baseball in America. "Can't Tell Me Nothing" is his preferred walk-up song and he shares the team's goal of winning gold.
#24 Oscar Shimakura
Oscar "Shimmy" Shimakura plays shortstop for Newport Rams and has loved baseball for eight years. He says fellow Ram Andy Land is his baseball role model, and he has great memories from 2022 Nationals. Oscar's fun fact is he can speak Japanese, and as for #AYC2025, he wants to get stronger and improve his fielding.
#81 Parks Halasz
Parks plays for Werribee and goes by PH, with the last three years spent on the field, learning the ins and outs of the infield. His baseball role model is shortstop Fransisco Lindor, and his favourite baseball memory is the 14U Perfect Game National Championships in Alabama. You can find him walking up to the song "Power" as he strives to win it all, and outside of baseball, he enjoys fishing.
#27 Thomas Hill
Tom "Hilly" Hill is a utility player from Moorabbin Baseball Club. He's enjoyed baseball for seven years and lists Elly de la Cruz as his baseball role model. His love of the game comes from his earliest baseball memory: "warming up on centre field with the big boys and realising in that moment how much I love baseball and that this is what I want to do". He loves walking up to the tune "All of the Lights" and is hoping to be a good teammate and play well at the championships.
#19 William Ferguson
Will "Ferg" is a utility player from Moorabbin Baseball Club who has played baseball for four years. He looks up to Rafael Devers and has fond memories of going to Adelaide for nationals in 2023. His fun fact is he lived in Canada for a bit when he was four and had a Canadian accent. He has his sights set on another four - the number of hits he's aiming to get at #AYC2025.
Head Coach Ben Laux
Ben Laux returns as head coach, bringing 32 years of experience to another AYC. His baseball career has come with plenty of highlights, including receiving life membership at his local club. He credits his most memorable junior coach ‘Col Carmody’ with influencing his love for the game, and says mental reps are his best piece of baseball advice. His fun fact is that he's a twin, "Go Bang" by Pnau is his favourite walk-up song, and at #AYC2025, he hopes to avoid the rain.
Pitching Coach Daniel Chircop
As the BV Pathways/MSA Coach, Daniel brings great experience as he returns to the role of pitching coach for the U16 State Team. A physiotherapist by trade and a big Philadelphia Phillies fan, Dan has fond memories of representing his state as a junior and looks to lead and support the next generation of young players.
Assistant Coach Ethan Epifanio
BV Development Officer and U16 State Team Assistant Coach Ethan Epifanio has been involved in baseball for 17 years and is proud to be part of Fitzroy Baseball Club. He loves everyday being on the field and says Kai Correa is his baseball role model. The physiology major says his best piece of baseball advice is "how you prepare off the field affects how you perform on the field".
EO Val Langworthy
UNDER 18 – VICTORIA
#27 Andy Land
Andy is one of six players to return from last year’s Gold Medal Squad. The 17-year-old committed to Arizona Western College for the 2025-26 academic year off the back of an impressive year with both representative opportunities and Newport Rams Baseball Club. He went 8-for-18 with six RBI and 3 BB in five games vs New Zealand at the U18 World Cup Qualifiers in December.
#21 Brandon Elton
The Sandringham Royals pitcher is back at Blacktown, this time with the U18s after winning bronze on the U16 team last year. He looks up to Bo Bichette, enjoys reading Percy Jackson, and looks back fondly on finishing second at U14 Nationals.
#17 Devin Leahy
The Sunshine standout earned VSBL Players of the Week honors this summer with the game-tying 2-RBI single. He made some great plays in centre field as Vic won gold last year, and also has great memories of winning a game against the Puerto Rican National Team. Fellow outfielder Julio Rodríguez is one of his baseball role models.
#13 Ethan Johnston
The Waverley Premier League catcher has enjoyed the last few years of AYC action and made his goal of winning gold come true in 2024. He also represented Eastern Athletics at the 2022 Australian Junior League Championship. Ronald Acuña Jr. is one of his baseball role models.
#1 Hamish Stone
Hamish AKA Hammer is a pitcher playing for Essendon Baseball Club, where he's hitting .438 and has a 3.27 ERA this summer. The pitcher brought home gold with the U18s last year and previously represented in the U16 age group. His fun fact is he used to live in LA.
#6 Hudson Pallay
Hudson has been hard at work on his baseball, taking advantage of opportunities at his local club Essendon, as well as Baseball Australia’s National U16 Camp at the end of 2023. Now he's moving on up and ready to represent the U18s.
#9 Jake Bertucci
Following in his older brother Nick's footsteps, Jake is taking on the U18 tournament in the middle of a red-hot season, batting over .300 for Moorabbin Premier League Firsts. The shortstop and 2024 U16 bronze medal winner previously said he looks up to Mookie Betts and has great memories of playing in Adelaide.
#23 Jesse Hando
Jesse hails from Bendigo and currently plays for Essendon Baseball Club. He joins fellow local Marcus Murphy at their first U18 AYC after representing the School Sport Victoria team at nationals this past April. He also won the 2022 U16 State Winter Championship MVP Award.
#12 Lachlan Brennan
Lachy is a catcher and outfielder who currently plays for Melbourne, looks up to Darryl George, and has great memories of winning his first state championship. He succeeded in his #AYC2024 goal of bringing home a medal with the U16s and is looking to go one step further with the U18 side this year.
#5 Liam Campbell
The Newport Ram is making his AYC debut after a strong summer season, joining the likes of fellow club players Will Hardy, Sam Land, and Andy Land.
#4 Liam Puncher
A former member of the U16 National Squad, Liam moves up to the U18s this year. The Moorabbin pitcher had a great time donning the Green and Gold as Team Australia played a five-game series vs. the United States 15U national team last September. He previously finished second in nationals at U14s, having hit the ground running after picking up baseball at age 12.
#25 Ned Johnson
Moorabbin's Ned Johnson has stepped up to plate for the U18s after a great U16 campaign last year, including a 2-for-2 performance in a 13-4 victory. He joins fellow Panthers Jake Bertucci and Liam Puncher on the team, where he's a key pitcher. Ned looks up to Trea Turner and is a big baseball fan, even naming his dog after Mike Trout. He also previously played for Southern Mariners at the 2023 Nationals in Perth.
#44 Roman Coote
Roman plays for the Williamstown Wolves and has been a member of the National Under 16 Junior Squad while improving his skills as part of the BV Performance Pathway. He was on Team Australia's September trip playing against the United States 15U National Team and the U16 Perfect Game Fall World Series. Roman was also recognised with the Don Deeble Award in August.
#76 Ryley Shanks
Ryley plays for Essendon and is a hardworking outfielder who looks up to Mookie Betts. He was part of the bronze medal U16 team last year and has also been part of the Little League Nationals after qualifying in the state tournament. His fun fact is that his entire background comes from America.
#11 Samuel Land
Sam Land of Newport is a middle infielder who calls fellow Ram David Tongue his baseball role model. He has some experience with clutch hits, including a walk-off in the 2023 Senior League State Championship.
#18 Sam Walk
Waverley's Sam Walk represented the Mariners at the 2024 Australian Senior League Championship and stood out as Vic's U16 catcher in 2023. Nicknamed "Walky", he has great memories of his first MLB game and loves to fuel up for games with his favourite food, pizza.
#2 Will Hardy
Will "Wilba" Hardy returns to the U18 State Team with a gold medal under his belt and currently plays with Newport Rams Baseball Club, where he's batting 0.327. The second baseman also won a senior grand final in 2023 and is eager to taste victory once more as the 2025 tournament gets underway. His baseball role model is Derek Jeter.
#14 Will Kent
Will Kent from Melbourne Baseball Club returns from last year's gold medal-winning squad with his sights set on back-to-back championships. He's having a hot summer with the bat, going 3-for-4 with two singles and a home run in one of his last Premier League Firsts games before the break. Will previously played in the 2022 Senior League World Series and the 2019 U12 World Cup.
#16 Windsor Breckenridge
Windsor was on the U16 squad last year and currently plays for Essendon Baseball Club, where he looks up to Shan Waters. In addition to his previous AYC success, Windsor has awesome memories of winning the U14s DUWC and striking out 11 in five shutout innings as Twins picked up #AILC2022 bronze in Mildura.
#10 Zak Stafilis
A strong utility player who looks up to Corey Seager, Zak won gold at last year's tournament and also enjoyed championship glory at state charter events two years in a row. At the 2024 Senior League Nationals in Geelong this past May, he made the highlight reel for stealing home. Zak has been pitching for Waverley Premier League and played with Queensland in Taiwan to help prepare.
Head Coach Marshall Skinner
Marshall Skinner continues in his role leading the U18s, with six players returning from last year and many players who won bronze with the Under 16s moving up. He has many highlights from his baseball journey, including winning an ABL Championship and an AYC Gold Medal. He always looks forward to seeing Victoria's top junior talent up against the best in the country.
Assistant Coach Lachlan Condie
Lachlan is a proud member of Essendon Baseball Club and has been involved in the sport for his whole life. His dad introduced him to the game and their family talks baseball daily. He is currently studying his masters in teaching (secondary education) and says the best piece of baseball advice is to enjoy the game and have fun, which will lead to good results. He says "September" by Earth, Wind & Fire is his favourite walk-up song and as for his best baseball memory, it's too hard to choose one: "the friendships and travel opportunities baseball presents are something pretty special which allows me to keep finding new baseball memories".
Pitching Coach Mark Richards
Mark is from Malvern Braves Baseball Club and has 40 years of baseball in the books, looking up to role models like Daryl Dicker and making the most of opportunities such as pitching in Japan. His fun fact is that he's colour blind and his best piece of baseball advice is "learning from your failure brings the greatest success". His goals for #AYC2025 are to win the championship and help pitchers further their careers for their future.