In just a few days, the first-ever WPBL Postseason will begin. On the evening of September 9, Chicago Cubs legend Lee Smith will throw out the ceremonial first pitch to get things going, and the first 400 fans through the gates will receive an Amanda Gianelloni bobblehead!
No. 4 seed Boston Hunters will face the No. 1 seed San Francisco Firebells in the first game of a 3-game series to decide who moves on to the inaugural WPBL Championship.
It’s tough to bet against San Francisco in a best-of-three series against a team that they have outscored 45-21 in a span of four games. The Firebells offense is relentless, and although they had some sloppy defense in a recent loss to NY, they are very solid in the field.
Kelsie Whitmore was the number one draft pick for a reason – a star three-way player who leads by example and is a threat anywhere on the field.
Her backup band are no slouches either. There is not a weak link in the SF lineup, and on any given day, a player with a bat in their hand has reached base, while many have crossed the plate. Look for Skylar Kaplan and Andréanne Leblanc to be in the news – yeah, they are that good.
As far as the mound goes, well, just look at the numbers above. And their pitching roster just got even stronger with the return of Jill Aybayati – not to mention their offense – as if they need any more help in that department.
Boston will have their hands full against a San Francisco team that has dominated them, four games to none. If the Hunters have any chance of an epic turnaround, they’ll need to clean up their defensive act and find a lineup that best suits their offense. The recent move of Lexi Hastings to the leadoff spot has proved fruitful – she is the perfect combination of a power hitter with speed on the base paths, not to mention her killer arm in center field.
Pitching-wise, Kate Blunt and Maïka Dumais have been Boston’s best on the bump with 16 earned runs between them – but the runs scored on their watch, and most of the Hunters’ hurlers, have been due to many wild pitches and free passes.
Other players who have done some damage, but cooled off of late, are Molly Paddison, Denver Bryant and Ticara Guldenhuis. Their contributions at the plate could tip the scales in Boston’s favor for a longshot upset.
If Boston can squeeze out a win, it seems unlikely SF won’t take the rubber match, but then again, stranger things have happened in the WPBL.
Schedule
Sept 9 – Boston Hunters @ San Francisco Firebells – 6:00 PM CT
As No. 1 seed, San Francisco is the home team for the first game of the series, and the first 400 fans through the gate will receive an Amanda Gianelloni bobblehead.
Chicago Cubs legend Lee Smith will throw out the ceremonial first pitch to open up the WPBL Postseason. Will San Francisco keep their record against Boston clean, or will the Hunters get the upset?
Sept 11 – San Francisco Firebells @ Boston Hunters – 5:00 PM CT
Boston hosts San Francisco in the second game of the series, and fans who attended Wednesday’s game can attend for free!
Sept 13 – Boston Hunters @ San Francisco Firebells – 2:00 PM CT
If the teams are tied after two, the series will go to a third game to decide who moves on to the WPBL Championship.