Stacy Piagno: Baseball Pitcher Is 3rd Woman to Win in Men's Pros

Baseball pitcher Stacy Piagno threw seven innings and got her first win for the Sonoma Stompers on Saturday, becoming just the third woman to earn a win for a men’s professional baseball team since the 1950s.

Piagno is one of two women on the independent baseball team’s roster; Kelsie Whitmore also plays for the team.

Piagno led the Stompers to a 16-1 victory in her first start of the season, MLB.com reported. She had pitched in relief twice prior to the start.

After her team dumped the customary ice and Gatorade on her following the game, she reflected on her situation.

“It’s always a thought in your mind, especially in our situation coming in here as a female, can I really be successful? Can I go deep in the game?” she said, MLB.com reported. “I’m not just out here for a hoax. It proves to myself that yes, all the hard work can pay off.”

Stompers President and CEO Theo Fightmaster posted a congratulatory statement to Piagno on the team’s website: “This was a great night for Stacy and a fantastic night for baseball. This was a start she’s been preparing for, and she validated the opportunity she was given. That was an incredible performance against a very tough lineup.”

Some on Twitter supported Piagno while others downplayed the accomplishment.

I'd hit a 500ft bomb against her

— August DaCosta (@AugustDaCosta) July 16, 2017

Not good enough to play in the MLB

— Ethan (@ethanstewart37) July 16, 2017

Amazing how many insecure dudes show up in baseball chats on Twitter to shame women. But doesn't change her or any others progress.

— Jessica Quiroli (@heelsonthefield) July 16, 2017

This thread is disgusting.

Go get the dub. Good for her.

— Bocaj Zednanreh (@cobby_cob) July 16, 2017

• Beth Mowins: First Woman Set to Announce ‘Monday Night Football’ NFL Game
• Becca Longo, Female Kicker, is First with Division II Scholarship