SPRINGFIELD, ILLINOIS: In Game 2 of the Opening Weekend of 2026 WPBL Inaugural Season, we got sunshine after a rainy, cloudy day. What a difference a day made, and we’re not just talking about the weather.
Kelsie Whitmore, another in a long line of two-way players, got the start for the San Francisco Firebells opposite Boston Hunters Raine Padgham, who like her counterpart, can also hit.
Both pitchers opted to step up to their own plate and not use the DH rule, a luxury item granted to them in the new women’s league.
Whitmore, when asked why so many WPBL players play multiple positions, responded, “If I can show I can hit. If I can show I can pitch, and field, maybe I’ll get the chance to be seen and valued.” Well, now she’s a professional baseball player so, we rest her case.
On the 80-degree night, both hurlers fought for their right-handed rights – against rosters of predominately right-handed hitters. But Whitmore’s efficient day at the office, along with an overkill of offense from her productive co-workers, rained on Pagham’s parade.
Every starting player on San Francisco’s prolific lineup touched the plate, some repeatedly, and no matter who stepped on the bump for Boston, they could never stop the bleeding.
On the positive side for the women representing Beantown, they displayed a highlight reel of defense. Gabrielle Haas made a monster vertical grab of Jua Park’s deep drive to right center. Alli Schroder’s rocket from right field to second to nab Alexia Jorge trying to make a double out of a single. And Denver Bryant’s strong throw across the diamond to an insanely stretched Sabrina Robinson at first to rob Amanda Gianelloni of her fourth hit of the night.
San Francisco’s offense was as explosive as the fireworks display that ended the evening in celebration of the WPBL’s historical weekend.