New Zealand U-18 Women's Softball Team close Australia tour with 7–2 record

The New Zealand U-18 Women’s National Team completed their Australia tour with a 7–2 overall record, competing in the U-18 Australia National Championship and a series of international friendlies against Australia’s U-16 Development Team.

The Junior White Sox posted a 3–1 record at the U-18 Australia National Championship, defeating South Australia (10–5), New South Wales (9–2) and Western Australia (11–6), while suffering a defeat against Queensland (6–2). The tournament was played at Blacktown International Sports Park, an Olympic venue from the Sydney 2000 Games. New South Wales successfully defended their national title, edging Queensland 5–4 in the final.

Following the championship, New Zealand closed out the tour with a five-game series against Australia’s U-16 Development Team. On Friday, the Junior White Sox swept a doubleheader with 4–2 and 2–0 victories.

Saturday’s games were split, with New Zealand claiming a 4–2 win before Australia responded with a narrow 2–1 result. In the series finale, the Junior White Sox rallied from behind to secure an 11–10 victory and seal the series.

The Australian summer has featured a strong international softball calendar, including friendly series involving Chinese Taipei and USA in Brisbane, two tours by New Zealand’s U-18 National Team, and this weekend’s Softball Australia Cup, which will see Japan, New Zealand and Australia in action.