Before the first pitch, the FerryHawks’ journey to the field began outside Staten Island University Hospital Community Park.

A nine-hour bus ride transported the team to Charleston, West Virginia for their first official game as the Staten Island FerryHawks.

Kelsie Whitmore put the team in the history books after becoming one of the first women to sign a professional baseball contract with a team affiliated with Major League Baseball. 

She joins other high-profile FerryHawks, including former New York Met Dilson Herrera and first baseman Kacy Clemens.

“Really, for the most part, looking for being in a new area, seeing different fields, seeing different competitions and seeing how our team competes all together in live games” Whitemore said.

“Obviously we're excited to go play, so a little jittery getting the first few games under out belt for the FerryHawks, so well see how it goes,” Clemens added.

For Staten Islander Kevin Krause, putting on this uniform is a full circle moment. Krause, who is the only borough native on the team, plays catcher. He says he’s been practicing ball since the age of five. 

“Hometown kid," Krause said. "To play in front of family and friends at home means everything to me, and I hope to make them proud."

Pitching coach and former New York Met Nelson Figueroa said the team had eight days to come together during spring training. That preparation all led up to this moment: their first game in franchise history against the Charleston Dirty Birds.

It was a good game, but in the end, the FerryHawks lost 5-3 to the Dirty Birds. But the loss was not in vain: Whitmore was used as a pinch runner, making history, and Clemens hit the first home run in FerryHawks history.

The team will head back to Staten Island for their first home game on May 3.