The inaugural game of the Women’s Pro Baseball League unfolded under a cloudy sky at Robin Roberts Stadium, where the Los Angeles Queens faced the New York Heights before a crowd eager to witness history.
Early in the contest the Queens fell behind 5‑0, but a steady push in the middle innings set the stage for a dramatic turnaround.
Isabella Villareal’s two‑run double in the seventh broke an 8‑8 tie and gave the Queens a 10‑8 lead, while Maggie Foxx’s two‑run single in the first had already put the team on the board with the league’s first hit and RBIs.
Michelle Roche added a run‑scoring double in the sixth, cutting the deficit to 8‑6 before the decisive seventh‑inning burst.
A Rain‑Soaked Opening
The game was paused for about 90 minutes due to rain, a delay that tested both teams’ focus but ultimately did not dampen the excitement.
Ceremonial first pitches were thrown by Maybelle Blair, the 99‑year‑old pioneer who once pitched for the Peoria Redwings, and Baseball Hall of Fame manager Tony LaRussa, adding a nostalgic touch to the modern showcase.
The Queens’ nickname pays homage to Lizzie Murphy, the first woman to face major‑league players in 1922, while the Heights honor civil‑rights leader Dorothy Height. The franchise also counts Mo’ne Davis, a celebrated Queens outfielder, among its roster, even though she went hitless in four at‑bats but still scored the first run.
All of the league’s action will be staged at Robin Roberts Stadium, with the Queens set to return on Wednesday against the Boston Hunters, promising more thrilling moments for fans across the United States.