Kathryn Stefancik, 12, has just returned from the national schools softball titles in Canberra as part of a third-placed Victorian team.

She said the standard was hard to adjust to at first, but enjoyed the challenge.

"The pitching was pretty fast, but I started to get into the rhythm. I did the best I could, and I had a few good hits."

She's not afraid to mix it with the boys.

She regularly takes on the best that her brothers Daniel, 13, and Chris, 10, can throw at her, and plays against boys for the Waverley Baseball Club.

She said the best parts of playing were catching fly balls and base-running.

Teacher Charlie Kenez said Kathryn was blessed with sharp hand-eye co-ordination, and adept with both glove and bat.

He said she was typical of a rich field of softball and baseball talent in Waverley - her school team was crowned as the regional softball champ last month.

The same girls won the regional girls' cricket competition, and were considered a strong chance at this month's state softball titles.

Kathryn was also part of Syndal South Primary School's aerobics team, which won a national gold medal this year.