Locals perform on baseball’s big stage

A PLETHORA of young local female baseballers have exploded onto the national stage following debut appearances representing their home states at Melbourne Baseball Park earlier this month.

Local baseballers Nyah O’Brien (Victoria Women’s), Lily Kevelham (NSW Development), Ruby Benne (Victoria Women’s Youth), Amelia Wright (Victoria Women’s Youth) and Saya Turnley (WA Women’s Youth) are still reflecting on a fun week of competition against the best baseball talent Australia has to offer.

Bellarine Bears representative O’Brien was selected to be part of Victoria’s women’s side in the Senior Championships, pitching three scoreless frames in an outing that also included three hits.

Victoria would win every single game on their way to the final but would fall short in the final to Western Australia 3-6.

“I was selected to the 2020 youth side but that was cancelled due to the pandemic,” O’Brien said.

“Being a rookie this year, though, I didn’t play every game considering it was my first selection and it was more so about the experience, but I did make two appearances.

“It was a great chance to get around some of the more senior players and also learn from them.”

Lara baseball players Benne and Wright said they had a terrific experience representing Victoria’s Youth team, securing a third place finish.

“It was a great learning experience, that’s for sure,” Wright said.

“Pitching out a game in the final inning is definitely a memory that springs to mind from the Youth Women’s Championships.”

Benne said her most memorable moments came during her time as a catcher for the team, throwing out two runners.

“We felt like we could’ve gone further than third place, but it was still a fun time.

“It was good to catch up with other players from other states that we knew and take part in really high quality baseball games.”

All three Victorians as well as Kivelham and Turnley will compete in Geelong’s Women’s Competition this year.