New South Wales Blue won the inaugural Little League Girls National Championship with a 15-1 victory over Victoria Belles at Albert Park this morning. 

A Baseball Australia spokesperson said, “They are forever the world’s first team to win a national title in a girls-only Little League event. This tournament is the first of it’s kind anywhere in the world.

“New South Wales were the best team from start to finish, scoring 89 runs in their four games.

“Pitcher Emma Gainsford was excellent on the mound for New South Wales, working 4.0 innings and allowing just one run off two hits while striking out nine.



Photo credit: Erin Honsa Baseball.com.au

“Hannah O'Keefe and Adele Acosta each had two hits. O'Keefe had two runs batted in, while Acosta led the team with three. Lilly Farrell also had a big game, going 1-for-1 with two RBI and a walk.”

 Speaking with the girls at the beginning of the tournament, you could hear how determined they were. And they know what they have accomplished.

"We just the first national championship for girls," said Lilly after the game. "We all worked together very well as a team, and it took a long way to get here, but we did it. I loved playing with the team and my friends."

Photo credit: Erin Honsa Baseball.com.au

The names of the national champion players are: Adele Acosta, Taylor O’Keefe, Juno Bromley, Lilly Farrell, Neveah Fungalei, Emma Gainsford, Caitlyn Gainsford, Chilli Hanlon, Isla Metuisela, Miranda Murray, Hannah O’Keefe, Riviera Harris, Yvette Wild & Ashleigh Rose-Thompson.

Photo credit: Erin Honsa Baseball.com.au

Karina Conners, a Lismore local who represented Australia is very pleased at the opportunity for women in the sport, and for Lismore, “This is pretty important to Lismore, especially after the devastation of the floods. It's a tight-knit community, and so many people helped contribute to keeping baseball going here in Lismore.”

Donations from all over Australia contributed to getting the fields back to where they are today.

Karina played in Queensland on her way to represent Australia and says, “I grew up playing in Lismore, and it contributed to my ability to make it as far as I did. It means a lot to see a pathway open up for women and girls anywhere in Australia, but it is so special to have that happening in your hometown.”

Karina is now very involved with Far North Coast Baseball. 

Lismore is well placed on the Baseball map in Australia and in Baseball history globally.

And it isn’t over yet - the 2024 Australian Women’s Showcase Gold Medal Game, between the Brisbane Bandits and the Victoria Aces, is set for a 5:00pm start. Head down to Albert Park, East Lismore to be a part of this amazing opportunity for Lismore.