Mt Annan softballer Chantelle Ladner pitches her case

IF the last four months are anything to go by, Mt Annan softballer Chantelle Ladner will throw a curveball at the 2013 Macarthur Chronicle Junior Sports Star competition.

Sport

IF the last four months are anything to go by, Mt Annan softballer Chantelle Ladner will throw a curveball at the 2013 Macarthur Chronicle Junior Sports Star competition.

The 16-year-old kicked off an incredible year when she became the first junior girl from the Macarthur District Softball Association selected for NSW in the Australian Under-17 national championships in January.

Across 21 innings, Ladner faced 87 batters, who scored just 14 safe hits and a run average of 0.646, while she also forced 17 strike-outs which was enough to secure the prestigious best pitcher prize.

Ladner was rewarded for her national form with selection in the Aussie Sparks team of 16 softballers who will travel to the US in June to play a series of exhibition games.

"My dream is to study for four years under a softball scholarship at either Oklahoma State or Alabama State University," she said.

"I'm going to give the tournament by best shot and hopefully I'll pitch to my potential in front of the scouts."

Ladner said her strict training schedule was starting to pay dividends and had noticed improvements in technique, fitness and overall strength in her core and arms.

The Mt Annan High School student said she was proud of fellow softballer Maclaine Lowe, of Cawdor, when he took out the Young Achiever award in last year's Junior Sports Star campaign.

Rebel is a sponsor of the Junior Sports Star awards.