ST. JOHN'S - British Columbia blasted their way into the Canada Games history books on Monday beating Newfoundland and Labrador 13-0 in the first ever women's baseball game.

A towering first inning three-run homer from Layla Spencer put Newfoundland and Labrador in a 3-0 hole that would only get deeper the game ending on the mercy rule after British Columbia erupted for 10 runs in the fourth.

With no other sports in action on Monday, women's baseball had the Games' spotlight to themselves and clearly the significance of the moment was not lost on the city as thousands of fans lined up to get into the ballpark quickly packing the bleachers and lining the out-field fences.

"It's super exciting to be part of this, it being the first female baseball team that gets to participate in this tournament and to hit something like that in front of this many people is exciting and I'm glad I got to be part of it," said Spencer, who also tripled in the four driving in another BC run. "First at bat, definitely something to remember.

"This whole thing didn't really kick in for me until we hit the field.

"As we hit the field, I was l just like, I'm meant to be here.

“I'm super proud I worked this hard to be part of this. Hopefully, we can bring a gold medal home and do something special.

"It would mean more than anything."

It seemed only proper that the milestone moment would happen in St. John's with Jaida Lee having helped blaze the trail that led to women's baseball being added to the Canada Games when she pitched for the Newfoundland and Labrador men's squad three years at the Niagara Games.

Her jersey, and the ball she threw for her first pitch, sit in the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame.

Lee was back on the mound on Monday but only to throw out the first pitch in pre-game ceremony honouring her and recognising the sport's arrival on the Games stage.

"Having female baseball officially included in the Canada Games is a significant milestone for the growth of our sport,” said Baseball Canada CEO Jason Dickson. “It reflects both the increasing participation numbers across the country and the high calibre of athletes who continue to emerge from provincial programs.”

STARTING LINEUP

Here's what you need to know about the Canada Games on Tuesday:

ATHLETICS (Fortis Canada Games Complex)

As the Games stride into the second week athletics will be the first to award medals. Podium finishes will be up for grabs in women's pole vault and javelin and hammer, men's shot put and the men's and women's 1,500m wheelchair races. Athletics marquee event the 100m also gets underway with preliminary heats. Home town support will be looking for Gavin Baggs, who claimed Newfoundland and Labrador's medal taking silver in the men's para 400m freestyle the pool and now moves over to the track for three events including the 100m.

ARTISTIC SWIMMING (The Works Aquarena)

Artistic swimming moves from the Winter to the Summer Games for the first time with the solo competition getting things started at The Works Aquarena.

BASEBALL WOMEN (Baseball Team Gushue Sports Complex and St. Pat's Ballpark)

After Newfoundland and Labrador and British Columbia had the spotlight to themselves on Monday playing the historic first ever Canada Games women's baseball game, there is morning to night action scheduled for Tuesday at both diamonds.

BOX LACROSSE MEN (Paradise Double Ice Complex)

In a rematch of the 2022 Games gold medal final British Columbia open defence of their crown against Ontario. BC will be bidding for a box lacrosse golden double after topping the podium in the women's tournament.

DIVING (The Works - Aquarena)

The competition opens with the men's and women's artistic diving medals up for grabs.

GOLF (Bally Haly Golf and Country Club)

Having swept the gold medals at three of the last four Games, including three years ago in Niagara Falls, British Columbia remain the team to beat when 10 provinces and for the first time Yukon Territory take on the par 72 layout. Twin sisters Mila and Frey Snook will tee it up for Newfoundland and Labrador and will have the home course edge both having won the Ladies Club Championship at Bally Haly in the past.

SOCCER WOMEN (King George V Soccer Stadium, CBS Soccer Field)

Team Ontario open defense of their crown against Prince Edward Island while 2022 Niagara silver medallists open against the Northwest Territories.

SOFTBALL MEN (Caribou Memorial Softball Complex)

Ontario centre fielder Connor Hopper, who says the defending gold medallists are not in St. John's to settle for silver, begin their quest for back-to-back titles against hosts Newfoundland and Labrador.

VOLLEYBALL INDOOR (Newfoundland & Labrador Sports Centre, The Works Field House)

Shut out of the medals at the beach Manitoba will be eyeing the podium indoors after winning gold in women's and silver in the men's three years ago in Niagara.

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