The Firebells have yet to play a game in the Bay Area, but the San Francisco-based women’s professional baseball team’s inaugural season comes down to one of this region’s most familiar refrains: Beat L.A.!
Led by manager Matt Williams, who knows a little something about the NorCal/SoCal rivalry from his days with the Giants, the Firebells face former Little League World Series sensation Mo’ne Davis and the Los Angeles Queens in the Women’s Professional Baseball League championship series. The best-of-five series begins Wednesday in Springfield, Illinois.
SPRINGFIELD, ILLINOIS – AUGUST 02: Joely Leguizamon #13 of the San Francisco Firebells slides into home plate against Beth Greenwood #17 of the Boston Hunters during the third inning against the Boston Hunters at Robin Roberts Stadium on August 02, 2026 in Springfield, Illinois. (Photo by Zoe Davis/Getty Images)
The Firebells won the regular season series between the teams 3-2. The Queens won the first and final regular-season meetings, but San Francisco won the middle three games by a combined score of 35-8.
San Francisco enters the championship series as the No. 1 playoff seed and riding a major hot streak. Counting the playoffs, the Firebells have won seven of their past eight games.
San Francisco was a league-best 10-5 during the inaugural WPBL season and then swept the Boston Hunters in the first round of the playoffs. The Queens went 8-7 during the regular season and punched their ticket into the championship series by out-slugging the New York Heights 15-11 in a deciding Game 3 on Monday.
Led by former Oakland Ballers pitcher/outfielder Kelsie Whitmore, the Firebells dominated the league’s six-week regular season. San Francisco led the WPBL in team batting average (.376), runs scored and hits, as well as allowing the fewest runs and striking out the most batters.
Whitmore and New York catcher Denae Benites are the leading candidates to be named the league’s MVP. Benites won the WPBL triple crown (leading the league in batting average, home runs and RBI) but is no slam dunk for the award. Whitmore matched Benites with 11 home runs, was second in RBI, batted .451 and also went 3-1 as a pitcher.
SPRINGFIELD, ILLINOIS – AUGUST 02: Kelsie Whitmore #3 of the San Francisco Firebells in action against the Boston Hunters at Robin Roberts Stadium on August 02, 2026 in Springfield, Illinois. (Photo by Zoe Davis/Getty Images)
Boston pitched around Whitmore in the two playoff games, walking her four times, but the veteran of Team USA still had a hit in each game, including a home run in the series clincher.
Right fielder Skylar Kaplan, who bats behind Whitmore in the No. 3 spot of the Firebells lineup, helped keep the offense rolling with four hits and five RBI in the series, including a three-run homer in Game 2 after Whitmore had been intentionally walked.
Los Angeles looks to slow down the Firebells with a deep pitching staff that includes Japanese right-hander Ayami Sato, a six-time World Cup champion and considered one of the best women’s baseball players of all-time. Sato did not dominate during the regular season – Michelle Roche led the team with three wins – but the veteran pitched two shutout innings of relief to seal the Queens’ playoff series victory.
SPRINGFIELD, ILLINOIS – AUGUST 01: Mo’ne Davis #3 of the Los Angeles Queens slides into third base during the first inning of Women’s Pro Baseball League Opening Day against the New York Heights at Robin Roberts Stadium on August 01, 2026 in Springfield, Illinois. (Photo by Jessie Alcheh/Getty Images)
Whitmore, who won the Firebells’ playoff opener, league ERA champ Jill Albayati (1.40) and Liz Gilder anchor San Francisco’s pitching staff.
The championship series games at Robin Roberts Stadium, the league hub this season, will be played Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday, Sunday (if needed) and Tuesday (if needed). Every game except Sunday (noon) starts at 4 p.m. Pacific and will be broadcast on ESPN+.