The San Francisco Firebells face off against the Boston Hunters to close out Opening Weekend. The Firebell’s number one overall pick, two-way player Kelsie Whitmore will be on the bump with a boatload of cred. She was the first woman to pitch a full inning in the Banana Ball Championship League, has earned gold in the Pan American Games, and has been named USA Baseball Sportswoman of the Year. Her arsenal includes a tailing two-seam fastball, slider and nasty knuckle change-up that she fondly refers to as, “The Thing.”
Two key players looking to make an impact are veteran at second, Amanda Gianelloni, who made history as the first player to sign a WPBL contract. A Nicholls State University Hall of Famer, she holds school records for RBIs, doubles and walks. As a highly skilled defensive infielder, she became the first woman’s baseball player to be featured on SportsCenter’s Top 10 plays.
Also watch for shortstop sensation Joely Leguizamon, the first signed Dominican player in the WPBL, who has represented her country at the Women’s Baseball World Cup and Pan American Games. She’s a triple threat exhibiting defensive speed, explosive batting power, and base-stealing prowess.
Raine Padgham – Named one of the Top 112 most influential figures in Canadian Baseball at the age of 15, the youngest player ever added to this prestigious national list. A power pitcher who keeps hitters off balance with mid-80’s 4-seam fastballs and deceptive off-speed pitches.
Position players to pay attention to are Beth Greenwood, a highly skilled catcher who became the first American woman to hold court behind the plate in NCAA baseball history. A situational hitter who excels at executing hit-and-runs—prioritizing moving the runner over, in lieu of swinging for the fences. And at third, Denver Bryant, a former elite softball player – a reliable contact hitter with a powerful, accurate arm.
With this pitching match-up, this game is anyone’s for the taking.