Bianka Bryant, the 8-year-old daughter of the late Los Angeles Lakers legend Kobe Bryant, took middle stage Friday evening at Dodger Stadium with the ceremonial first pitch to kick off the Los Angeles Dodgers’ tribute sport honoring her father.

Bianka confirmed spectacular poise and accuracy, delivering a clean windup earlier than sending a one-hopper into the glove of 2024 World Collection MVP Freddie Freeman amid loud cheers from the gang. Joined by her mom, Vanessa Bryant, and sisters Natalia, 22, and Capri, 6, Bianka helped the household have a good time Kobe Bryant Night time, a rising annual custom for the Dodgers.

This was Bianka’s second consecutive 12 months throwing out the primary pitch on the occasion. Final 12 months, she made a memorable debut on the mound, and this 12 months’s efficiency confirmed she’s rising extra assured within the position.

Followers in attendance additionally acquired a particular Kobe Bryant bobblehead that includes the NBA icon sporting his No. 8 Lakers jersey whereas holding a baseball bat — a nod to Kobe’s lesser-known baseball expertise and ambidextrous skills, together with his choice to bat left-handed regardless of being right-handed.

It has been greater than 5 years since Kobe Bryant and his daughter Gianna, 13, died in a helicopter crash on January 26, 2020, together with seven others. Since then, the Dodgers have paid tribute to Kobe’s influence on town and its sports activities tradition.

On the sector, Dodgers ace Clayton Kershaw outpitched Max Scherzer in a showdown between two future Corridor of Famers, main Los Angeles to a 5-1 victory over the Toronto Blue Jays.