Los Angeles found its way into the first championship game in Women’s Professional Baseball League history with a catcher on the mound, a late rally in the batter’s box and nine straight outs to finish a 7-6 comeback over the San Francisco Firebells on Wednesday night.
Queens rally behind Mackay’s long relief outing in Game 1
SEO Title: Los Angeles Queens Take Game 1 Behind Jamie Mackay Relief Gem
SEO Description: Jamie Mackay worked 5 2/3 relief innings as the Los Angeles Queens erased a four-run deficit to beat the San Francisco Firebells 7-6 in the first WPBL championship game.
Jamie Mackay is usually behind the plate for the Queens, and her five regular-season homers ranked third in the league. The University of South Carolina catcher also hit eight home runs there last season. But Los Angeles needed another side of her game when its championship opener got away early.
San Francisco jumped in front 4-1 on Amanda Gianelloni’s grand slam, chasing starter Amira Hondras only four outs into the game. Queens manager Eric Young Sr. turned to Mackay, who had also started Game 2 of the playoff semifinals against the New York Heights.
The call produced a bullpen-saving performance. Mackay had not previously worked beyond 3 2/3 innings in an appearance this season, yet she gave Los Angeles 5 2/3 innings, allowed two runs and struck out five. Young did not have to use second overall draft choice Ayami Sato or closer Meggie Meidlinger, the Team USA women’s national baseball team veteran.
“I was trying not to use them,” Young said afterward with a laugh.
Mackay’s biggest escape came in the fifth. The Firebells put runners at second and third and had a chance to widen their lead, but she struck out three hitters in the inning to keep the game within reach.
“I’ll do anything to help our team,” Mackay said.
Los Angeles chips away, then takes the lead in the sixth
The Queens trailed 6-2 after three innings before beginning the climb back. They scored once in the fourth and added two more in the fifth, ending San Francisco starter Whitmore’s outing after five innings and five earned runs.
Mo’ne Davis opened the sixth against Mexican national team pitcher Rosi del Castillo by doubling into scoring position. Ayuri Shimano followed with a sacrifice bunt, but Del Castillo’s knee gave out as she moved to field the ball. She was taken from the field on a cart.
With runners aboard and nobody out, Queens captain Ashton Lansdell drove a tying double just inside the third-base line. Lansdell, a former Ole Miss softball standout who also played in Bananaball and hosts the league’s official podcast, delivered one of the defining swings of the new league’s first title series.
Australian national team captain Caitlin Eynon then gave Los Angeles its first lead. Eynon had already collected three singles when she faced key Firebells reliever Liz Gilder with runners on second and third. Her sacrifice fly to center brought home the decisive run.
“Baseball is a big game of momentum,” Eynon said after being named player of the game on the broadcast. “We had a lot coming in from the New York game.”
Mackay closes it without another reliever
Once the Queens moved ahead, Mackay handled the rest. She retired each of the final nine Firebells hitters, ending the night when Andreanne Leblanc bounced out to second base.
The upset puts Los Angeles ahead 1-0 in the best-of-five championship series. More importantly for Thursday night’s Game 2, the Queens will bring a rested bullpen into the next contest. San Francisco must regroup after losing a close opener and potentially an important relief arm in Del Castillo.
