The must watch talents at Victorian Softball titles
The state’s best softballers are set to face off at the Softball Victoria Open Championships in Werribee this weekend and there’s plenty of exciting talent. Here’s who to look out for.
Local Sport
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Victoria’s best softball talents are set to be on display this weekend.
Players will descend on Werribee for the Softball Victoria Open State Championship set to be held on Saturday and Sunday.
Leader Local Sport has taken a look at some of the key players to keep an eye on.
Marcus Ferraro, Northern District
Position: Catcher, utility
A right-handed fielder and batter, Ferraro is capable of playing all positions, but is mainly a catcher and outfielder at national level and a pitcher and pivot at club and association level. He brings leadership and game smarts to the team and is a strong batter. Ferraro was in the Victorian under-23s team earlier this year.
Serena Kawamura, Melbourne
Position: Short stop
A superb short stop who loves everything about the sport. If the ball is in her zone, expect Kawamura to make the stop and get the out.
Aaron Kuru, Werribee
Position: Second base, outfield
Started playing half way through the season after a number of years away from the sport. Has played in a number of New Zealand national squads and brings a real professionalism to the team. Since coming back to the sport, he has swung a good bat and Werribee will look to him to drive in runs.
Caitlin Laird, Northern District
Position: First base, pitcher
Laird is a young pitcher on the rise and will be key to her side’s chances this weekend. The right-handed pitcher is also a strong batter and can make an impact on the bases.
Tristan Little, Casey
Position/s: Pitcher, 1st base
Reads the game extremely well and is a strong utility player who gives guidance to all players. He has represented Victoria in the under-18s and 23s.
Andrea McKeener, Northern District
Position: Pitcher, first base
One of the leaders on the Northern District women’s team. McKeener is an experienced pitcher who excels with her movement and speed, while she’s also more than handy with the bat.
Amelia Mercuri, Waverley
Part of the Australian set-up after recently being named in Softball Australia’s elite player development squad. Continues to impress with her talent.
Karri Pritchard, Knox
Position: Third base
A Victorian representative who recently earned selection in the Australian elite player development squad.
Dannielle Ramadan, Melbourne
Position: First base
Ramadan is Melbourne’s captain. Among her biggest strengths is the ability to make dazzling plays with her “extraordinary” stretching abilities, which make her a fantastic asset to the team.
Lani Rigg, Knox
Position: Catcher
At just 15, Rigg is on her way to becoming a star. She was recently picked in the Australian development squad after competing for Victoria at the under-16 national championships.
Jye Robinson, Werribee
Position: Short stop
Won the MVP and best batter award at the 2023 Under 19 Men’s National Championship and has since been named in the Australian Men’s squad. He sets the tone for the team at the top of the batting order and makes all the hard plays in the field.
Ethan Scott, Northern District
A right-handed fielder and batter who plays most positions, but is mainly a catcher and pivot at both national, club and association level. He is also no slouch in the outfield. He brings strong batting and fielding skills to the team.
Luke Steendam, Casey
Position/s: Second base, short stop, catcher
For another young player at 17, Steendam has great ball skills and is the “joker” of the team. He too has represented Victoria for the past two years in the under-18 and 19s.
Rachel Steendam, Casey
Position/s: Short stop, pitcher, utility
Steendam has strong batting and ball skills with a great game knowledge for someone who has just turned 15 and has represented Victoria since 2020 and has been selected to attend the AIS training program in Canberra in April.
Isabel Zaharias, Casey
Position/s: Short stop, 2nd base, pitcher
Zaharis brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the team as she has been playing since the age of five which has lead her to represent Victoria in all age groups as well as the Australia under-19s.
Frankston women’s key players: Katherine Laemmle, Niki Benbow and Sierra Clugston.
MEN’S TEAM ROSTERS
Casey: Andrew Johnston, Ethan Lewis, Heath Lewis, Hunter Lewis, Kurtis Tolmie, Luis Mayo, Luke Steendam, Michael Hill, Nicolas Henson, Rod Steendam, Shane Harrison, Tristan Little.
Northern District: Bailey Dodds, Ethan Scott, Jacob Wells, Jake Paris, Jordan Baker, Marcus Ferraro, Matthew Bedwell, Mitch Crawford, Ryan Kenny, TJ Taisi, Vin Nesci, Warren Brister.
Werribee: Aaron Kuru, Bronson Kotuhi, Cameron Tangaroa, Chris Putaka, George Ironside, Jared Warwick, Jason Kriehn, Jye Robinson, Mitch Vila, Nathan Duvall, Ryan Evans, Shay Crean, Tai Crean.
WOMEN’S TEAM ROSTERS
Casey: Abbie Berkelmans, Amanda Clunes, Brenda Nicholson, Brooke Steendam, Brooklyn Maloney, Chelsea Kimber, Colleen Sullivan, Emily Lever, Isabel Zaharias, Jacquie Davis, Jemma Brook, Rachel Steendam, Roslyn Hendy.
Frankston: Sally Abbey, Olivia Bargon, Niki Benbow, Sierra Clugston, Jenna Haggerty, Ella Hunter, Kelly Hunter, Nicole Irvine, Katherine Laemmle, Brooke Penfold, Kylie Reeves, Tahuna Rhind-Luke.
Knox: Jessica Chomley, Leisel Donaldson, Tamara Foley, April Glen, Hayley Glen, Brodie Hendy, Emmy Horman, Rachel Laycock, Arielle Lee, Nicole Martin, Karri Pritchard, Kiara Rigg, Lani Rigg.
Melbourne: Audrey Major, Belinda Rae, Chloe Vuong, Dannielle Ramadan, Felicity Anderson, Hana Barbaro, Jell Radford, Katherine Gourley, Kimberley Barratt, Salasei McCarthy, Serena Kawamura, Sherin Breed, Tylah Drochmann.
Northern District: Andrea McKenner, Caitlin Laird, Dee Lee, Hannah Scott, Jorja Fernando, Lauren Wong, Mikayla Jonker, Remy Moore, Shelley Hull, Taliah Kelly.
Waverley: Alys Young, Amelia Mercuri, Brigid Maguire, Caitlin Olley, Chelsea Radin, Chloe Goodfellow, Jess Carter, Kasey Smith, Kiara Rhind-Luke, Meaghan Grah, Rachel Miller, Rebecca Schafer, Sarah Beales.
Werribee: Amy Brown, Carolyn Foley, Chole Desira, Debbie Lee, Emma Pastowski, Isabel Mulrooney, Leanne Meyer, Luisa Ballestrino, Moana Benjamin, Narelle Gardner, Rebecca Hicks, Ruby Butler.
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