SEPTEMBER 23, 2026, SPRINGFIELD, ILLINOIS — Last night, the Los Angeles Queens were crowned champions of the Women’s Pro Baseball League (WPBL) historic inaugural season after defeating the San Francisco Firebells 2-0 in Game 5 of a thrilling five-game Championship Series.
In the deciding fifth game, Ayami Sato fired a shutout to earn the WPBL Championship Series MVP honors and lead third-seeded Los Angeles to a 2-0 win over top-seeded San Francisco. Throwing the first ever complete game shutout in the WPBL, Sato only allowed five hits for the entire game.
“It was a remarkable season for the League, teams and players,” said Eric Young, Manager of the Los Angeles Queens. “We were the ones who started the League this season, so it was only fitting that we finished it.”
“Honestly, if I had started this season thinking about winning the finals, MVP or trying to make great plays for myself, I don’t think I would have received this award,” commented Ayami Sato, LA Queens Pitcher and WPBL Championship Series MVP. “Instead, I focused on giving everything I had for my team and doing whatever I could to help us succeed. I believe that is what ultimately led to being named MVP.”
LA, which managed just two hits, the fewest hits by any winning team this season, scored both of its runs in the third inning. Ayuri Shimano reached on an error with the bases loaded to drive in the first run while Ashton Lansdell reached on a fielder’s choice to give the Queens the 2-0 lead. Mo’ne Davis had both hits for Los Angeles. For the Firebells, Jill Albayati went the first four and two-thirds innings and allowed just one hit and two runs, one earned, while walking three and fanning four.
“We dared to trust the process,” LA Queens Captain, Ashton Lansdell, said after the game. “We’ve been through all the ups and downs that a pro team can go through and we just stuck with each other. Trusted in each other and embraced every single moment.”
The WPBL Championship Series showdown between Los Angeles and San Francisco delivered instant classics, including a comeback 7-6 win for the Queens in Game 1, followed by the Firebells firing back with a commanding 10-5 victory in Game 3 to force a Game 4. In the postseason, Shimano (.423) hit two homers and drove in 12 to lead the team while Ashton Lansdell (.393) hit two homers and drove in 11 in the eight games. Maggie Fox led Queens with a .474 average in the championship series and scored a team-high six runs. Shimano, Lansdell and Caitlyn Eynon (.440) each had 11 hits in the postseason to lead LA. Isabella Villarreal led the team hitting .476 in the postseason as she was 10 for 21 in seven games. Los Angeles hit .349 in the eight postseason games and .311 in the championship series.
“Tonight, we crowned the Los Angeles Queens as our inaugural champions. This is for everyone who fought for us on and off the field, including the women of the All American Girls Professional Baseball League, and those women who played in the Negro Leagues,” League Commissioner Justine Siegal stated before she and League CEO Keith Stein presented the trophy. “Our championship trophy is for our fans, for all the girls who dream big, and for the LA Queens.”
With the WPBL crowning its first champion tonight, the league successfully completed its historic inaugural 2026 season at Robin Roberts Stadium in Springfield, Illinois. The milestone marks America’s first women’s professional baseball league since 1954. Featuring four teams – the New York Heights, Boston Hunters, Los Angeles Queens, and San Francisco Firebells – the season kicked off on August 1st with a sold-out Opening Day. Close to 70,000 fans from around the world attended the League’s games this season. As the primary media partner, ESPN streamed every regular season and playoff game live in the U.S., while Scripps Sports Network broadcasted a select 11-game slate and international fans tuning in on the WPBL’s YouTube Channel.
For more information on the WPBL, visit www.womensprobaseballleague.com.
About the WPBL
The Women’s Pro Baseball League (WPBL) is the only professional women’s baseball league in the United States. The WPBL successfully completed its historic inaugural 2026 season at Robin Roberts Stadium in Springfield, Illinois, marking America’s first women’s professional baseball league since 1954. The League’s debut season featured four teams – New York Heights, Boston Hunters, Los Angeles Queens, and San Francisco Firebells – with the Queens crowned Champions of the League’s debut season. The League is co-founded by Keith Stein and Justine Siegal. For more information, visit www.womensprobaseballleague.com.