2025 Batcave Softball Championships: Geraldton Softball Association players shine

Geraldton Softball Association (GSA) players made a huge impact at the 2025 Batcave Softball Championships, which were held over the long weekend at Mirrabooka International Softball Centre.

Among the standout performances were the Batavia Blaze U18s, featuring Geraldton players Jack Etherton, Zade Colley, Caven Colley, Declan Green, Owen Scatena and Kynan Leggett, who secured the U18 championship for the third year in a row with a commanding 4-0 grand final victory over Rockingham.

The annual tournament features teams from across the State in under-14, under-16 and under-18 boys and girls competitions.

Blaze dominated early in the tournament, shutting out Rockingham 9-0 on Saturday before delivering a strong 16-5 win over Fremantle Rebels.

Sunday brought mixed results with another 6-0 win against Rockingham, followed by an 8-3 loss to Fremantle. Despite the setback, the team regrouped and finished strong, shutting out Rockingham once again in the grand final.

Blaze head coach Adam Gilchrist praised the team’s efforts, saying their success was a true team effort.

“Jack Etherton had a great weekend, batting strong and not giving up a single run in any game he played,” he said.

“Zade Colley had a solid batting performance and even scored an in-park home run in the grand final.”

Youngest team member Declan Green also impressed.

“Declan batted well against the older pitchers and caught in a game where he helped Noah Forrest from Perth pitch a shutout,” Gilchrist said.

The Blaze were further supported by assistant coaches Eli Etherton and Daniel Leggett, along with Cohen Green, who served as bat boy.

“The rest of the Geraldton boys did really well to help get the wins and take home the grand final,” Gilchrist said.

Other GSA representatives also shone at the tournament. AJ Walker, playing for Morley Eagles, put in a standout performance, while Aerin Scatena (Bunbury U16 Girls) and Lily Bellotti (Morley Eagles U18s) fought hard to reach their respective grand finals.

Mia Thompson, Hayley Davey, Bella Sutherland and Anita Taylor, representing Wolves U18s, faced a tough play-off loss, with Davey expressing pride in the team’s efforts despite the result.

With their third straight U18 title and multiple strong individual performances, Geraldton’s softball stars once again proved they are a force to be reckoned with on the State stage.