NSW team for Lianna Davidson

By Matt Jones
September 24 2014 - 9:10am

LIANNA Davidson may only be pint-sized – but she can still hit.

Off the back of a successful state carnival, Davidson has been selected as the PSSA NSW state softball catcher.

The Kurrajong Public School student will head to Toowoomba in November, hoping to continue the rich history NSW has at national level where it has won the past three titles.

Davidson, who also plays for Hawkesbury Baseball Club, has turned out to be a natural behind the plate.

“I started when I was five,’’ she said. ‘‘My dad got me into it then I started playing competitions.

“They asked me to try out catching because they thought I was a good blocker and now I catch regularly.

“It’s a difficult job because you have to get down on your knees and sit there and concentrate.

“The main thing is trying to get them accurate and pitching with speed before you worry about signals.”

And while she’s not making the calls behind home plate, she’s terrorising teams with the bat.

“I’ve hit a grand slam and home runs before,” Davidson said.

But the national titles, where she’ll take on the country’s best young talents, will be her biggest challenge so far.

Not that the confident Year 6 student is worried.

In fact, she seems without nerves or fear.

 “I’m very excited and I’m very proud to be representing my state,” she said.

“I think it will be hard because we’re playing against all the states’ best players.”