WA Respond in Style with Dominant Win Over Roos
Western Australia has bounced back in emphatic fashion at the 2026 Australian Women’s Championship (AWC), recording an 18–0 win over the Roos on Monday at Melbourne Ballpark.
After a tough opening day, WA delivered a complete performance across both offence and pitching to secure their first win of the tournament.
Middle Order Leads the Charge
WA’s offence fired from the outset, with the heart of the lineup doing the damage.
Caitlin Eynon, Leah Cornish and Chloe Atkinson combined for nine hits and 11 runs scored.
Atkinson was outstanding, collecting three hits — including two doubles — and driving in three runs, while Eynon and Cornish also added three hits each in a dominant showing.
Run production came from throughout the lineup, with Bianca Ramsey (3 RBI), Aislinn Morris (2 RBI), Peyton Newman (2 RBI) and Madison White (2 RBI) all contributing.
WA finished with 14 hits and showed strong discipline at the plate, working seven walks and applying constant pressure on the basepaths.
Tyson and George Control the Game
While the offence piled on 18 runs, WA’s pitching staff ensured the Roos never had a chance to respond.
Ava Tyson set the tone early with three efficient innings, allowing just one hit while attacking the strike zone and trusting the defence behind her.
“Pitching wise my focus was to get up there and throw strikes and have complete trust in our fielders to back us up and they did that today,” Tyson said.
Makayla George followed in relief, combining with Tyson for five shutout innings, allowing just two hits and three walks across the game.
Resetting the Tournament
The performance marked a strong response from WA after an 0–2 start, with the group refocusing on their identity.
“We looked at it and said ‘we can bounce back and change this tournament to how we want it to be’,” George said.
“We just went out and had fun, we play our best when we’re having fun. There was a lot of chatter in the dugout today, it was really good.”
Head coach Kurt Russell echoed the reset in mindset.
“The message was built around dialling in our intent and getting back to our brand of baseball. Finding an ability to not take pitches off and get back to doing the little things that accumulate to positive outcomes,” he said.
With contributions across the board, Russell was pleased with the response.
“Ava Tyson set the tone early with 3 efficient 1 hit innings. The offence produced top to bottom and we are looking to take that momentum into tomorrow.”
Day 2 Standings
After Day 2 of competition:
1. Victoria 2-0
2. New South Wales 2-0
3. Queensland 1-0-1
4. Western Australia 1-2
5. South Australia 0-1-1
6. Roos 0-2
Looking Ahead
Western Australia now moves to 1–2 in the tournament and will look to build on the momentum when they take on Queensland in their next matchup.
Photography: Erin Honsa
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