By JARROD POTTER
SHINING on as Emerald, Springvale Lions’ baseball star Shae Lillywhite has earned another chance to take on the rest of the world.
Lillywhite, from Somerville, is one of the Lions’ premier sluggers and has been a mainstay in the Australian Emeralds’ Women’s Baseball team since 2001.
She’s part of the 31-woman squad that will strive for Australian victory at the Women’s World Cup in Japan this September.
Lillywhite is the most experienced player in the Emeralds’ roster – with seven international appearances – and is the current Baseball Australia Women’s Player of the Year.
She believes Australia can perform well at the World Cup, but all she can do now is to train and practice to her best ability and let the tournament sort itself out.
“We’ve been preparing for the last couple of years really well, we’ve changed the structure a little bit, and with a new coaching staff, you can only prepare well… then the tournament takes care of itself,” Lillywhite said.
“We’re up against some pretty stiff competition but in a week’s tournament you never know what can happen.”
Her last 12 months have been a whirlwind, including a professional stint in Japan.
Lillywhite played professionally for South Dione in the Japan Women’s Baseball League and her highlight was a double she struck in the Japan Cup final.
“I was the first international player to go and it was a bit of a learning curve for them and myself,” Lillywhite said.
“I played ok – would’ve liked to have gone better, but it was a bit hard for me coming into a team half-way through their season… I fitted in really well and the first month or two was a real novelty for them and I really enjoyed it.”
Her immediate challenge is a seven-week baseball tournament playing for the Chicago Gems.
For results, videos and profiles of the Australian Emeralds squad, head to emeralds.baseball.com.au.
