Male-Born Pitcher Leads Girls’ Softball Team to Minnesota State Title [WATCH]

A high school softball team in Minnesota has won the Class AAAA state championship with a trans-identified male athlete leading as pitcher, drawing criticism from women’s sports advocates and renewed attention to federal policy regarding biological sex in athletics.

The Champlin Park Rebels secured the state title on Friday after defeating Bloomington Jefferson 6-0 in the championship game held at the University of Minnesota’s Jane Sage Stadium.

Junior pitcher Marissa Rothenberger, a trans-identified male, played a central role in the team’s success throughout the tournament.

Comments off lol

To be expected when your star player is a boy https://t.co/2qY2onUhNW

— Riley Gaines (@Riley_Gaines_) June 6, 2025

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Rothenberger pitched all 21 innings across the team’s three championship games and allowed only two runs in total.

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In the title match against Bloomington Jefferson, Rothenberger gave up just three hits and struck out six batters to complete the shutout and secure the championship.

BREAKING: “Marissa” Rothenberger, a biological male, just single-handedly led Champlin Park to a 6-0 shutout to win the Minnesota Girls’ State Championship.

Every single Democrat in Minnesota voted to make this insanity possible.

Sickening. pic.twitter.com/ohdgQ42onJ

— Dustin Grage (@GrageDustin) June 6, 2025

Rothenberger was named to the All-Tournament team for the performance.

In the quarterfinals against Eagan, Rothenberger allowed seven hits, struck out four, and led the Rebels to a 5-0 win.

The semifinal matchup against White Bear Lake resulted in a 3-2 win, with Rothenberger giving up two runs and recording three strikeouts.

Rothenberger also contributed offensively with two doubles, including a seventh-inning hit that drove in the winning run.

Although listed as a designated player, Ava Abrahamson—Champlin Park’s other pitcher—did not take the mound during the tournament.

The presence of Rothenberger on the team has reignited debate over the inclusion of biologically male athletes in female sports divisions.

An honest society would shame & ridicule all of these women-hating cowards.

Champlin Park High School
➡️ Principal: Michael George
➡️ Superintendent: Cory McIntyre
➡️ Activities Director: Matt Mattson
➡️ Coach: Bryan Woodley@ChamplinParkHS @CPFastpitch pic.twitter.com/MszDejjuoo

— E (@Simply4Truth_) June 6, 2025

A small group of demonstrators gathered outside the state championship game on Friday holding signs reading “Females Deserve Fair Sports” and “Democrats for Title IX.”

In Minnesota, state policy allows student-athletes to participate in sports based on gender identity.

However, this stands in direct opposition to a February executive order signed by President Donald Trump, which prohibits biological males from competing in female athletic competitions in schools that receive federal funding.

Under the order, schools that fail to comply risk losing access to federal resources.

Women’s sports advocate Riley Gaines responded to the outcome on social media, writing, “Another state championship hijacked by a team with a boy. ‘Marissa’ Rothenberger pitched 7 shutout innings to lead Champlin Park to a 6-0 win in the Minnesota Girls’ State Softball Championship. You’re a shameful coward Governor Tim Walz.”

Another state championship hijacked by a team with a boy.

“Marissa” Rothenberger pitched 7 shutout innings to lead Champlin Park to a 6-0 win in the Minnesota Girls’ State Softball Championship.

You’re a shameful coward, @GovTimWalz.
pic.twitter.com/kr63Pi4lzj

— Riley Gaines (@Riley_Gaines_) June 6, 2025

XX-XY Athletics, an organization that advocates for female-only competition in sports, also commented on the result, stating, “When boys play girls’ softball, they win. And girls lose.”

The controversy adds to an ongoing national discussion surrounding fairness and eligibility in youth sports, particularly following legal battles and policy shifts at the federal level.

The Biden-era guidance that allowed gender identity to determine athletic participation was reversed earlier this year by the Trump administration’s executive order.

State officials in Minnesota have not issued a public response regarding potential conflicts between state policy and federal directives.

As of now, no disciplinary action or funding decisions related to the championship have been announced.

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