The seven-time World Cup representative is one of the experienced hands in a fresh and balanced national squad in Bendigo to compete against a Japanese All-Stars team in a seven-game series.

Action hit-off on Wednesday, with the Emeralds striking first to take a 1-0 series lead with an intensely fought 8-5 victory at Strathfieldsaye.

The Emeralds have brought 29-players to Bendigo, their first series under new manager Jason Pospishil, with Lovering thrilled with the mix of the squad.

The catcher was confident competition for spots at next year's World Cup would bring out the best in the squad against the slick and highly talented Japanese.

"It hasn't been announced where that World Cup tournament is, but obviously whoever is in that team, we will be looking for a gold medal," Lovering said.

"To go away and want anything less is not a waste of time, but underselling yourself really.

"Last year's World Cup (seventh-place finish) does not sit well with the players who went because we know our potential, and we know in terms of performance we didn't execute.

"We are going back to prove something, not to ourselves, but others.

"This is the first time the squad has gotten together with our new manager at the helm - I think the excitement really starts about now."

Lovering, who captained the Emeralds at last year's World Cup and played her first one in 2004, said she was excited to see what the squad's exciting crop of youngsters could produce in Bendigo

"We have quite a few pitchers, who have thrown in the 80s (miles per hour) and holding their own for just how young they are," she said.

"There's a good mixture of experience and good young talent here, and a few unavailabilities due to injury at the moment too.

"It's definitely a good solid team and one we hope can have some success in Bendigo."

One of those talented youngsters highlighted by Lovering was on the pitching mound early on Wednesday, with Genevieve Beacom getting the start.

The Bendigo Challenge will always hold fond memories for the 14-year-old from Tyabb on the Mornington Peninsula, who made her Emeralds debut in Wednesday's series opener.

Beacom, who formerly represented an Australian under-12 boys' team in 2017, relished the opportunity to pit her skills against a quality Japanese team

"This is the first time I have been around this group, it was great to get out there," she said.

"It's fun to be around - I really like the atmosphere.

"It's great just to get the experience against these international players. I'm really keen to learn off these girls.

"The arm is feeling good - I'll be ready to go again in a couple of days."

The teenager has a highest recorded pitch of 82 mph and has a big supporter in Lovering.

"We were doing some testing (Wednesday) morning and she hit 80 mph - she throws hard. And she is quite tall, so she gets that nice downwards trajectory and height advantage," she said.

Beacom, who turns 15 at the end of the month, is among a batch of rising stars representing the Emeralds.

Others include 16-year-olds Lianna Davidson and Caitlyn Eynon, also both pitchers, and 18-year-old outfielder Ticara Geldenhuis.

Lovering was expecting tough opposition from the Japanese over the next four days after the visitors took the honours in last year's series in Bendigo against a pair of split Australian teams.

"This is not the national team as such, but any Japanese team is tough, they all play quite a similar style of baseball and is always a tough competitive team," she said.

"No matter what they are always there to win; they play a smart game and they play an aggressive game, particularly with the bat. And they are very fast, especially with their hands.

"We hope are hoping Bendigo comes out and supports what is going to be some real quality baseball."

The series continues on Thursday at 2.30pm, with two games scheduled on both Friday and Saturday at 11am and 2.30pm, before the series closer on Sunday at 9.30am.

Entry is free.

Have you signed up to the Bendigo Advertiser's daily newsletter and breaking news emails? You can register below and make sure you are up to date with everything that's happening in central Victoria.