Orange athlete Mathew McKenna picked in Softball NSW u16s state squad

Softball NSW this month announced its under 16 boys state squad for the 2022 season and wouldn't you know it, McKenna's name was on the list.

The selection came after he and his Orange teammates took part in the recent state championships, and although he didn't swing the bat as well as he would have liked, that's hardly the only aspect of his game where he can impress.

"My fielding was definitely my better performance," he said.

"Fielding is probably my stronger aspect but it was more so just this one time that I didn't really bat well, usually it's pretty good."

The third baseman/catcher was one of 34 picked for the squad and hopes to make up for lost time after he made the squad last year as well.

"Because of COVID we didn't get to play, so it will be very exciting and a little nervous. It will definitely be a good experience," he said.

"I feel very proud, very accomplished. It feels quite surreal and it doesn't seem real yet and I haven't soaked it all in."

Having only played the sport for the past four years, he credits his work on the cricket field as a reason he shone so bright, so early.

"Some of the aspects of cricket have helped me pick up softball as well," the Orange City Gladiator added.

"Then, I've just learnt off some of the (softball) people in Orange who have taught me a few particular things.

"(In the state squad) I'm hoping to learn some different ways of doing things, and getting to know the boys that are in Sydney and see how they train differently to us in Orange, because I think it will be very different."

McKenna was the only Orange athlete - boy or girl - to make the under 16s state squad.

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