20 best female baseball players to represent Australia Emeralds at 2023 World Cup in Canada
Meet Australia’s 20 best female baseball players from all over the country who have been selected in the Emeralds squad to compete in the 2023 Baseball World Cup in Canada.
Local Sport
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The best female baseball players from across the country are this week finalising their preparations before jetting off to Canada for the Group Stage of the Women’s Baseball World Cup.
The Emeralds are set to compete in the tournament which kicks off on August 8, with the squad meeting in Sydney today to commence a final five-day training camp together.
Australia’s group consists of hosts Canada, as well as the United States, South Korea, Hong Kong and Mexico, with Australia to compete in five days back-to-back from August 8-12.
The Emeralds haven’t competed in a major tournament since their seventh place finish in the 2018 World Cup.
Since then there has been a major roster turnover, with 14 of the 20 players in the squad set to make their international debut.
Despite inexperience across the side, head coach Jason Pospishil says his team is ready to make a statement on the world stage.
“We need that belief that we are a good baseball team, because we are,” Pospishil said.
“I’m looking forward to seeing how this team will form their identity.
“This is a new chapter of Australian women’s baseball and there are all the making of this being a very good one.”
Meet the Emeralds squad:
Gen Beacom
Pitcher / 1B
Sandringham (VIC)
Scouts believe the 18-year-old pitcher could be the best female baseball player on the planet.
Compared to the likes of Shohei Ohtani, Beacom was recently filmed through 85 miles per hour, which is a staggering speed compared to the average velocity of top international female pitchers which sits at a little over 70mph.
It’s her international debut but she’s no stranger to a challenge, having famously pitched a professional game alongside the men of the Melbourne Aces in 2022.
Allie Bebbere
Pitcher
Doncaster (VIC)
One of the top pitcher’s across the last two women’s national championships is the consistent Bebbere.
Received the ‘Golden Arm’ award at the recent Nationals after allowing just one run from eight innings of work.
A strike thrower with sinker/slide combination that can touch 70mph on the gun.
Kelsey Brennan
Outfielder / Pitcher
Wanneroo (WA)
A utility that can play all positions in the outfield and throw off the mound.
A plus thrower and a solid defender, she was a part of the Western Australia squad that won the 2023 National Titles.
She’s a danger on the bases, having swiped six bags at Nationals to share in the team lead.
Lili Cavanagh
Outfielder / Pitcher
Springvale (VIC)
A talent in her junior career having won Golden Glove and Golden Bat at the Australian Youth Championships.
Now she’s in the senior squad and is ready to show her skills, whether it be with the bat or from the outfield.
Hit .524 for Victoria at Nationals and led the team in runs with 10.
Leah Cornish
Utility
Melville (WA)
A 16-year-old talent to keep an eye on as she’s described as “the real deal”.
Her coaches like to talk about how complete a player she is for a teenager, with versatility a real asset for her.
She can throw 72mph as a pitcher and can play nearly anywhere in the diamond.
Accolades aplenty for her age, she’s a name to remember.
Morgan Doty
Outfielder / Pitcher
Newport (VIC)
“They say that Earth is 30% land and the rest is covered by Morgan Doty.”
One of the squad members that has World Cup experience, a genuine star of the game with many accolades and multiple national championships.
Regarded by her coach as one of the top ten female players on the planet, she will likely start for her side in centre fielder and could be used in a high leverage situation on the mound.
Maddie Erwin
Pitcher
Weston Creek / Blacktown (ACT)
Another first time Emerald, earning her spot after a great Nationals with NSW.
A strike throwing machine who has played in two Australian Women’s Baseball Showcases and improved her craft greatly.
Caitlin Eynon
Shortstop / Pitcher
Melville (WA)
A great all-round athlete and a good option as a late reliever, with solid shortstop skills and pitching fastballs of up to 74mph.
Batted .481 at Nationals including a three-hit, three-run performance in the Gold Medal game.
Ticara Geldenhuis
Outfielder
Blacktown (NSW)
An all-round athlete that can hit, run and play a great defensive game.
Her name has already got some attention after two excellent Showcases and a National Championship where she drove in eight runs and stole six bases in her six games played.
She has five national titles to her name across senior and junior levels.
Meaghan Haggart
Pitcher
Wanneroo (WA)
With previous experience as a catcher in the senior national squad, she has honed in on the pitching side of things recently.
Haggart’s off-speed deliveries are to be feared for opposition batters, with her high spin rate on the breaking ball statistically among the top 10% in the world.
Maddison Heath
Catcher
Blacktown (NSW)
A new era behind the plate, with longtime catcher Tehnee Lovering stepping away from the role.
Heath has recovered from major hip surgery in 2022, rehabbing well-enough to push her way into national selection.
One of the two options for the catcher role, she can bring the thunder with the bat as well and is great at receiving and blocking.
Abbey Kelly
3B / Pitcher
Essendon (VIC)
Knows how to perform on the big stage, having been the starting pitcher in Australia’s upset victory over the USA at the 2016 World Cup.
Elite in the field, handy with the bat and an all-round clutch performer.
She also won the Golden Arm at the 2022 Nationals.
Shae Lillywhite
Designated Hitter
Springvale (VIC)
Australia’s most capped international player, Lillywhite has played in all eight previous World Cups, meaning this is an incredible ninth tournament for the 38-year-old.
Became the first Australian to sign for the Japan Women’s Baseball League in 2013.
A valuable figure of experience among a team of so many debutants.
Abbey McLellan
1B / Designated Hitter
Footscray (VIC)
Brings strength off the bat to the side, having recently hit a personal best in exit velocity, showing she is getting better with age.
Hit .571 at the recent National Championships and is consistently among the leading batters in any tournament she plays in.
Carly Moore
Catcher
Woodville (SA)
Moore is set to become the first South Australia woman to play a World Cup game.
Won Best & Fairest honours in the SA Women’s League in 2023, guiding Woodville to a maiden title and captaining the SA State Team to a Bronze Medal.
Recognised for her leadership and vision at the plate.
Claire O’Sullivan
Pitcher / Infielder / Outfielder
Greenaway (NSW)
Likely the starting pitcher for the side but can play multiple positions in the field.
A veteran leader of the squad with experience at all levels, being a two-time National Championship winner and a mainstay of the senior squad since 2011.
Maddy Patrick
Utility
Springvale (VIC)
Can genuinely play just about everywhere, with catcher and first base the only parts of the ground you’ll likely not find her in this tournament.
Gives the Emeralds line-up flexibility with her utility value and ‘all or nothing’ approach.
Ashley Patton
Pitcher
Blacktown (ACT)
A 16-year-old who hits 73mph on the gun, above average velocity for teams at the World Cup.
A solid breaking ball to compliment her velocity, she won MVP of the ACT’s Grand Final in 2022.
Jordan Richardson
Infielder / Pitcher
Greenaway (NSW)
Richardson has experience at lots of positions across the diamond.
On the bump, she has a strong command and throws all her pitches for strikes.
She has great power off the bat as well, having hit a home run at Nationals.
Maddison Tabrett
Infielder / Pitcher
Blacktown (NSW)
Made her Emeralds debut as a 15-year-old at the 2012 World Cup and is a World Cup bronze medallist.
Returns for her fourth World Cup with plenty of experience, being a side-arm pitcher which is a point of difference in the eyes of Australian staff.
Can play multiple positions across the field.
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