September 20, 2026 | Springfield, IL: The Firebells offense came alive in Game 4, denying the Queens the coveted Championship crown and forcing a pivotal Game 5.
While LA got another shot at slamming the door this afternoon, a feeling hung in the Springfield air that the SF bats would not go quietly. Consequently, bottles of champagne will be left on ice until Tuesday’s decisive Game 5.
Both teams opted to utilize two-way players on the bump in lieu of a DH. Three Firebells pitchers held the Queens to four runs while their lineup tagged SoCal arms more than Bansky art on buildings – setting a 20-hit WPBL record.
Ayuri Shimano, who was humbled at the plate, 0 for 3, had an admiral start, three earned runs on four hits – but the wheels came off on LA’s relief. Jamie Mackay surrendered seven, six earned; Meggie Meidlinger came in midway through the fourth, earlier than her usual closing time, giving up three unearned runs on four hits. And Addisyn Baird, in her pitching debut, allowed four to score.
Firebells captain Kelsie Whitmore, who broke out of a 0 for 8 slump in Game 3, had three hits, and her number 3 hitting pal, Skylar Kaplan, drove in a run on the first triple of the postseason.
Double deuces were wild for SF’s Jill Albayati (4-5), Jua Park (4-4) and Joely Leguizamon (4-4), driving in a combined eight runs. The hits weren’t always struck hard, but like savvy real estate agents, it was all about location, location, location.
Maggie Foxx was the lone offensive wolf for LA. Despite a lack of RBIs in Game 4, she continued her torrid hitting, going 3 for 4 to bring her 9 for 16 so far in the Championship Series.
Leguizamon got back-to-back Player of the Game honors, and by the way she’s attacking Queens pitching, she may become the new intentionally walked batter on the Firebells team come Game 5.