Sato's decorated past

Ayami Sato has won three Women's Baseball World Cup MVP Awards, more than any other pitcher. The Kagoshima native also became the first woman to play for a men's pro team in Canada with the Toronto Maple Leafs.

Queens draft Sato second overall

The Los Angeles Queens selected Sato second in the inaugural Women's Professional Baseball League Draft. She struggled early with a 6.09 ERA and vented frustrations on Instagram.

Championship game showdown

Sato faced the San Francisco Firebells' league-leading offense in a winner-take-all championship on Tuesday night. The Firebells had scored 17 runs just two days earlier.

Historic complete game shutout

Sato threw the first complete game in WPBL history, shutting out San Francisco 2-0. She struck out six and allowed just four earned runs across 11 innings.

“I felt today's game went really slow because I just wanted to feel every single moment.”

Sato wins championship MVP

Sato earned MVP honors for the championship game, lifting the silver trophy above her head with a wide smile. She credited her teammates and fans for giving her energy on the mound.

Queens manager's season goal

Manager Eric Young Sr. recalled that Sato told him at the first team meeting, 'I want to be a champion.' She delivered exactly that on championship night.

“In the first meeting we had together, Sato said, 'I want to be a champion.'”

Firebells' comeback falls short

San Francisco finished the regular season 10-5 but fell behind 0-2 in the series. They battled back with 27 runs in two games to force the decisive game but couldn't overcome Sato's dominance.

Queens score on errors

The Queens scored their first run on Mo'ne Davis' RBI single after a walk and an error. Ashton Lansdell added a second run on a hard grounder that resulted in another error.

Firebells pitcher Albayati's effort

San Francisco's Jill Albayati, returning from a hamstring injury, limited the Queens to one hit across 4 and two-thirds innings. That single hit proved costly in the championship game.

Firebells players reflect on loss

Second baseman Amanda Gianelloni said she was heartbroken after the loss. Manager Matt Williams noted the team played with great camaraderie all season but couldn't win the final game.

“All I can really think about is heartbreak.”

First pro women's league since 1954

Over 60 women gathered in Springfield, Illinois for the first women's pro baseball league in America since the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League ended in 1954.

Players sacrificed to compete

Some players like Niki Eckert flew back and forth weekly while working for the New York City Department of Education. Others like Amanda Gianelloni paused their businesses and personal lives to play.

“I've never wanted to do anything else except play baseball.”

Finally, a league of their own

Players who spent years as the only woman on men's teams or in weekend tournaments finally got to play full-time with daily training and coaching. Kelsie Whitmore said she felt like a kid again on the field.

“It's moments capturing myself finally feeling like a kid again on a baseball field.”

League commissioner honors legacy

Commissioner Justine Siegal dedicated the championship trophy to everyone who fought for women's baseball, including players from the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League and the Negro Leagues.

“This is for everyone who fought for us on and off the field.”

Lansdell's simple message

Queens captain Ashton Lansdell summed up the season's significance in one sentence: 'Women can play some dang good baseball.' The league proved that point throughout its inaugural season.

“Women can play some dang good baseball.”