Playing in the final in New South Wales, it was the bottom of the seventh and final inning, and with the score at 2-2, second baseman Shae Lillywhite was on second base. Hamilton scored a single to left field and Lillywhite made it home to clinch Victoria’s seventh national title in 10 years.

“It was like shooting the winning basket when you’ve got three seconds before the shot-clock runs out,” Hamilton says.

“You’ve got the possible winning runs on base, you’re up to bat. You’re either the hero or the mule.

“This year New South Wales thought they had it in the bag. They were bigger and stronger than ever.

“Luckily we had a lot of depth and didn’t drop a game.”

Hamilton, who lives in Watsonia and plays for Doncaster, says it was one of the highlights of her sporting career.

“It was a very edge-of-your-seat type game,” the 38-year-old says. “Two of the best teams in the country throwing everything at each other, and we came away with the win.”

The victory was even sweeter considering Victoria failed to make the final in 2010.

“That was a gut-wrenching tournament,” Hamilton says. “I’d rather make the final and lose, because it just kills you, sitting out.”

Hamilton knows a thing or two about gut-wrenching tournaments. She was at the 2010 Women’s Baseball World Cup in Venezuela when Hong Kong player Cheuk Woon Yee was shot in the leg by a stray bullet during a game held at a military base.

The Australian team was due to be playing at the time but a rain delay pushed the game back.

The team was locked down in its hotel for the next few days, and members took a vote on whether to stay and continue playing, or return home. The decision was unanimous. They would stay.

“It did play on our minds a bit; we were sitting in the stands when she was hit,” said Hamilton.

“It should have been our game, and Bronwyn Gell – who is 16 years old – it could have been her. It was a lot to wear.’’

“From then on it was a whirlwind,” she says. “We won every game before we lost to Japan in the final.”

While the Australians returned from the tournament disappointed to have lost, Hamilton says women’s baseball in Australia has a strong future. “And we have a really good competition here in Victoria; it’s the strongest going around.

“The national team is made up mostly of New South Wales and Victorian players.”

For Hamilton, the lure of baseball is simple: “You get to hit something as hard as you can.

“You also get to throw something at someone as hard as you can.’’