Australia announces Women’s Baseball World Cup 2018 roster

SYDNEY — Baseball Australia revealed the nation’s 20-player roster for the upcoming WBSC Women’s Baseball World Cup, which is set to be played in the U.S. for the first time from 22-31 August in Viera, Florida.

Seventeen of the Australian “Emeralds” Women’s National Team players have past Women’s Baseball World Cup experience.

Emeralds manager Simone Wearne said the Aussie squad she is taking to Viera consists of the most talented women’s players in the country.

When infielder Shae Lillywhite takes the field at USSSA Space Coast Complex in Viera, she will make history as the only Aussie to have competed in all eight editions of the WBSC Women’s Baseball World Cup (2004, 2006, 2008, 2010, 2012, 2014, 2016 and 2018).

Australia, the Oceania representative, will begin the competition For the Title of World Champion in Group B, alongside five-time defending World Champion Japan, Canada, Cuba, Hong Kong and the Dominican Republic. The top three nations from the group will advance to the Super Round.

Currently ranked No. 4 in the WBSC Women’s Baseball World Rankings, Australia’s best-ever finish at the Women’s Baseball World Cup was a silver medal in 2010.