Queensland’s top 15 softballers for 2032 Brisbane Olympics
With the 2032 Brisbane Olympics on the horizon, let’s take a look at Queensland’s finest young softballers. See the full list here as we reveal 15 teen talents.
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Softball in Australia is not just on the crest of a wave — it is atop a tidal surge engulfing the sporting-rich Queensland region.
Leading the charge are the next generation teen top guns featured below, who have every chance of representing Australia at the 2032 Olympics.
Here are 15 boy and girl stars knocking on the door as possible Games competitors as we peer into the pool of rising softball talent in Queensland.
OUR LIST OF THE TOP 15 OLYMPIC PROBABLES
GIRLS
Chelsea Zunker (Coral Coast)
Zunker, pitcher, is a talented all-round player who not only can dominate on the pitching mound but also is a very strong, capable hitter. Zunker was the winning pitcher in the Under 18 National Championships grand final back in April where she also hit in Queensland’s first run of the game. These types of performances from Zunker were rewarded with selection for the U18 Aussie Diamonds team who competed in the 2022 Canada Cup in Vancouver, Canada.
Emilee Solomon (Brisbane)
Solomon, pitcher, is a strong athlete who has a tremendous work ethic which allows her to perform at a high level both on the pitching mound and in the batters’ box. Solomon showed her versatility at the U18 National Championships earlier in the year with quality pitching performances and then hitting in an important run in the grand final. These types of performances secured her a plane ticket to the 2022 Canada Cup in Vancouver with the under-18 Australian Diamonds. She was recently selected to the Queensland Uunder-3 and HEAT Squads.
Matisse Sorbello (Brisbane)
Sorbello is a fundamentally solid catcher who works hard at her craft and was a key member of the National Championships winning under-18 Queensland team. Even though there is a lot of attention and work dedicated to her catching skills, Sorbello also displayed her value as a batter hitting in two runs in the under-18 National Championships grand final. Her consistent performances impressed the national selectors as she was also selected to the under-18 Australian Diamonds tour to compete in the 2022 Canada Cup.
She was also recently selected for the Queensland under-23 and HEAT squads.
Bianca Markham (Redlands)
Markham, catcher, is a powerful athlete with a terrific work ethic. She can play both catcher and third base to a high level and can be a devastating hitter when in form. As a bottom aged player in the Queensland under-18 team, Markham showcased her maturity and ability beyond her years playing extremely well at the National Championships. With a vision to the future the national selection panel recognised Markham’s potential and selected her to the under-18 Australian Diamonds team for the 2022 Canada Cup tour.
Hannah Leggett (Coral Coast)
Leggett, outfielder, made the transition from being a right handed hitter to a left handed slap hitter eight weeks before the National Championships to utilise her running speed. With hard work and commitment over the eight weeks she made a successful batting transition and was a menace to the opposition defences continually putting them under pressure. The decision to make this change was rewarded with good performances and selection to the under-18 Australian Diamonds tour to the 2022 Canada Cup. More selection rewards have happened recently for Leggett with her selection to the Queensland under-23 and HEAT squads.
Tallulah Civoniceva (Redcliffe)
Civoniceva, first base, is known as a young power hitter in the Queensland pathway and is always a threat to hit the ball a long way. She reconfirmed this potential with an over the fence home run against NSW at the under-18 National Championships which just happened to be on her birthday. Her unique hitting power has been identified internationally with Civoniceva recruited to play USA college ball in Texas. Mix this in with under-18 Aussie Diamonds selection and selection to the Queensland under-23 and HEAT squads it’s been a big few months for the youngster.
Soraya Hamson (Redlands)
Hamson, shortstop, brings some real athleticism to the game with elite running speed and quality body control which allows her to get to opposition batted balls not many others can. She has recently made the transition from right hand hitter to a left handed slap hitter and the early results have been encouraging. With more time to refine this new skill combined with her running speed, Hamson will become a headache for opposition defences to try and keep off the base paths and scoring runs. She can cover multiple defensive positions and offer tremendous utility value to any team she plays for.
She was also recently selected to the Queensland under-23 and HEAT squads.
Tayla Evans (Redcliffe)
Tayla Evans, shortstop, has been in the Queensland state team pathway for a few years and has demonstrated herself to be a very consistent performer at National Championship level throughout that time. Her dedication to hard work and willingness to learn has seen her game improve significantly the past 12 months. Evans has impressive batting power and the ability to deliver in the game’s biggest moments which is a great attribute to have. Her solid potential and consistent performances have been identified by the Queensland selectors with recent selection into the under-23 and HEAT squads.
Keeana Henare (Wynnum)
Keeana Henare, outfielder, is the ultimate team player and silent achiever who just keeps doing the little things well and always looking to improve her skill sets and game overall. Henare was a critical member of the under-18 National Championship-winning team, batting in the position of lead-off and scoring important runs. Henare has the unique skill sets to play both infield and outfield positions as well as do some pitching if required. Her value and potential was recognised with recent selection to the Queensland under-23 squad.
BOYS (NOT YET IN THE OLYMPICS)
James Allan (Mackay)
Allan is a powerful young athlete who is making great progress through the junior male pathway particularly with his power batting. He plays the position of catcher but also plays both first and third base at a high level. As a batter he can produce home run power but can also hit for a high batting average which he displayed at the under-16 National Championships where he won the MVP of the tournament. Allan was recently selected into the Queensland under-19 state team.
Tipene Harkness (Redlands)
Harkness is an outstanding young athlete who brings a quality skillset of power and speed. He offers true utility value to a team with the ability to cover the important positions of pitcher and shortstop as well as others if required. He is a quality batter and aggressive base runner who puts immense pressure on any opposition’s defence. All these skills were recognised earlier this year when he was selected into both the under-16 and under-18 Queensland teams with the under-18 team becoming National Champions. Harkness was recently selected to the Queensland under-19 team.
Chad Charlesworth (Rockhampton)
Chad Charlesworth plays the physically and mentally demanding position of catcher and is an outstanding prospect in the junior male pathway. His ability to get the best performances out of his pitchers as well as his high level catching skillsets is allowing him to work through the Queensland pathway successfully, presenting a bright future for himself. Charlesworth is a more than capable batter who excels in the key moments of games and will only get better as he gains more experience.
Thomas McCarroll (Coral Coast)
Thomas McCarroll has elite running speed that can dominate games and situations both offensively and defensively. If he isn’t stealing bases or running down difficult catches in the outfield then he is hitting for extra base hits and scoring runs for his team. McCarroll has solid fundamental skill sets and when combined with his athleticism, he is an extremely exciting player and someone to watch closely in the junior male pathway.
Logan Green (Redcliffe)
Logan Green is a quality young pitcher who works hard at his craft and continues to get better. He’s a powerful young athlete who utilises that power in his pitching but also in his batting and is always capable of hitting the ball over the fence.
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