World awaits for Padres' duo

Teenage Redcliffe softballers Mackenzie Emonson and Leilani Malo are preparing to take on the world.

Both are in the Australian team for the World Baseball Softball Confederation Under 15 Women’s World Cup in Italy.

Leilani, 15 and Kenz, 14, booked their places with standout displays for Queensland in January at the National Under 16 Girls’ Championships in Perth.

Australia’s squad for the 12-nation World Cup in Milan, from June 27-July 5, was announced in February and preparations started ramping up last month.

Head coach Amanda Fairley is due in Queensland in May and the squad leaving for Italy in late June as Oceania qualifiers, alongside American Samoa.

Waiting for them in Legnano and Caronno Pertusella, will be USA, Canada, Mexico, Puerto Rico, Japan, Chinese Taipei, Italy, Czechia, Spain and an African qualifier.

Playing at the World Cup will be the highlight of Leilani and Kenz’s softball careers, with both saying they were “surprised but delighted” to be selected.

“I’ll probably get nervous on the first game, but once that’s over I think I’ll get used to it,” Leilani said.

Kenz said she would “just play as hard as I can and hopefully the nerves will go away”.

Leilani, a pitcher, started playing tee-ball in New Zealand and then softball in 2017 after moving to Australia. At the time she also played rugby.

“Then I injured myself playing rugby, so I made softball my main sport,” said the Deception Bay State High School student who lives at Burpengary.

Kenz, who lives in Redcliffe and goes to Earnshaw State College at Banyo, also started by playing tee-ball at the age of six and “really enjoyed it”.

She has been at Redcliffe Leagues Softball Association since 2016 and now mainly plays outfield.

Despite having the World Cup on their horizon, Kenz and Leilani have already been battling for places in the 2026 Queensland team.

Both helped Redcliffe finish third at the three-day 2025 Under 16 Girls’ State Championships, held in Toowoomba last month.