Get on board with Line Drive Media’s regular feature, The Final Pitch!

We are scouring the Internet and Social Media and keeping our ears to the street for the latest going on in the softball community.

To contribute information, insights, thoughts or content ideas, email us at carlos.arias@linedrivemedia.com, DM at @los_stuff on Twitter or text (949) 606-3602.

Here’s our TFP for Monday, March 24, 2025:

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THE FINAL PITCH: RYLEIGH PERKS

Virginia Tech-committed 2026 SS/3B Ryleigh Perks recently talked to Line Drive Media about Starz Gold-Bunn, Alliance Nationals, Virginia players, recruiting opening, Firecrackers Brashear, overcoming injuries, athletic family, Virginia Tech, criminal investigation, Skylar Wallace, “The Fault In Our Stars,” Key Glock, “9-1-1,” “My Fault London” and handstands.

THE FINAL PITCH Q&A

Name: Ryleigh Perks

Hometown: Richmond, VA

High School: Douglas Freeman High

Club Team: Starz Gold-Bunn 16U

Graduation Year: 2026

Height: 5-7

Position/s: SS/3B

Nickname: “Ry” — everyone, lol

Social Media: @RyleighPerks4 on Twitter and @Ryleigh.perks4 on Instagram

Honors: 2021 USA All-American (2021), Alliance OVH 16U runner-up (2023) and Alliance OVH 16U champion (2024).

High School Spring 2024 Stats: .600 AVG, .684 OBP, 1.891 OPS, 1.244 SLG, 31 runs, 31 RBIs and 6 HRs.

Travel Ball Summer 2024 Stats: .329 AVG, .370 OBP, .962 OPS, .592 SLG, 40 runs, 34 RBIs and 8 HRs.

Travel Ball Fall 2024 Stats: .294 AVG, .415 OBP, .885 OPS, .471 SLG, 8 runs, 6 RBIs and 1 HR.

Tell us about your travel team/organization and how you became involved with them? I played for a small, local organization for my second year of 10U and our organization merged with Starz Gold the next season. My dad was our head coach for a long time and we had a really competitive team. When we got ready to move into the second year of 14U, my dad wanted to step back from being a head coach, so he partnered with Tom Bunn and they made our National level team I still play for currently.

Tell us about your experience at Alliance Nationals? I’ve had a great experience at Alliance Nationals the last three summers! This past summer in Indiana was awesome and the fields we got to play on were some of the nicest I’ve seen. The games we play there are always super competitive and it’s awesome seeing SO many different college coaches at them all.

What makes players from the state of Virginia special? I think we’re underestimated a lot by players or teams from larger states.

What was your highlight of the fall? What have you been focusing on this offseason? Highlight of my fall was definitely my recruiting officially opening and getting to talk with so many different college coaches. Getting to visit some schools I’d never been to was awesome. Also, seeing so many of my teammates get to commit this fall was special. This offseason I’ve been working on getting stronger and continuing to work on my hitting and throwing mechanics. My goal was to hit 75 OVH (I hit 73 at Alliance Nationals this past summer) and I was able to exceed that this weekend by hitting 77.1.

Which player/team has been your toughest opponent and why? This past summer it was the Firecrackers Brashear team; we played them several times and lost to them every time.

What have you faced/overcome in life that has made you the person you are today? For softball, I had a shoulder injury a few years ago and had to completely shut down from any throwing or pitching at all for a little over six months and then had to do physical therapy and workouts to rehab and work my way back into things for a long time. I originally used to pitch as well and had to quit pitching during the same time, and ended up focusing more on shortstop as I came back and just really loved playing the infield. I never went back to pitching. As far as my family, I’ve unfortunately had several unexpected deaths in the last few years that have really brought me, my siblings and my parents even closer to each other. I think that’s part of the reason I liked VT so much. It’s close enough for my family to come to games all the time.

Do you have any family members/siblings that are athletes? I have a twin sister, Kayleigh Perks. She also plays softball (C, OF). (She’s) still uncommitted, but hoping to be soon! My dad, Brandon Perks, played baseball for Radford in college.

Why did you choose to commit to Virginia Tech? I’ve been to camps at VT since I was about 9 years old and feel like I’ve known Coach Pete (D’Amour) just about forever. I love all the Tech coaches and how they interact with their players. I’ve watched VT softball forever and love how close the team is and how positive their dynamic is. I also loved the VT campus, facilities and the area it’s in. Also, getting to go to any VT football game is just awesome; the energy is just another level.

What areas are you interested in future occupations and why? I’m really undecided still, but have been thinking about criminal investigation, sports psychology or sports marketing.

What’s your favorite subject to study in school and why? Anything but math, lol.

Who is your sports hero and why? Skylar Wallace (a former All-American and NFCA National Player of the Year at Florida and Athletes Unlimited professional). She is a great shortstop and had a great college career and has gotten to continue playing for a professional league.

What’s your favorite book to read and why? “The Fault in Our Stars” (by John Green). I like the message that it sends to live life to the fullest no matter what.

What’s the best hype song and why? “Let’s Go” by Key Glock. It puts me in a competitive mood

What’s your favorite TV show to binge and why? “9-1-1.” I love the characters and how relatable the storyline is.

What’s your favorite movie and why? “My Fault London.” I love the storyline and the characters’ love story.

Do you have a secret talent/skill? I can walk around in circles on my hands (like in a handstand).

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NEWS & NOTES

***PGF Atlanta Vipers Invitational is March 28-30 in Chattanooga, TB. To follow the tournament online, CLICK HERE.

***Top Club National Spring Invitational is March 28-30 in Choctaw, OK. To follow the tournament online, CLICK HERE.

***Atlanta Vipers Gold 09-Crenshaw went 8-0 en route to winning the PGF March Madness 16U title over the weekend in Dalton, GA.

2027 P Sophia Vatistas (2.57 ERA), 2027 MIF Kynlee Reagin (.667 AVG, 1 HR), 2028 P/SS Katie Wrigley (.600 AVG, 2 HRs), 2027 SS Kalee Hinkson (.500 AVG, 1 HR, 9 RBIs), 2027 1B Kennedy Crenshaw (.500 AVG, 2 HRs), 2028 P/3B Megan Wrigley (.444 AVG, 1 HR) and 2027 3B Brekkyn Stucke (1 HR) were the leaders for Vipers-Crenshaw this weekend.

***Athletics Gold Tamborra 2012-Priem captured the 12U title at PGF March Madness over the weekend in Dalton, GA. 2030 C Joy Stallworth caught 20 innings with 0 passed balls and one caught stealing.

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SIGNING/COMMITMENT ALERTS

Dawson Blue (2026, SS/UT, Athletics Gold Tamborra/Scotland High, NC, Oklahoma State)

H🤠ME! Let’s Go Pokes! @OSUcoachG @Coach_Shippy @bergy_9 @carrieeberle @cowgirlsb @joey1ye #2024TheGloryOfTheLord #PrayerChangesThings pic.twitter.com/vgMQXgRrUe

— Dawson Blue (@DawsonBlue42) November 8, 2024

Leah Byrd (2026, SS/RHP, Athletics Gold Tamborra/North Cobb High, GA, Auburn)

Staying in the orange&navy! WDE🧡🦅💙@AGTTamborra16U @nchswarriors @rykerzc @DJSanders37 @KateMalveaux @CoachMalveaux pic.twitter.com/AfnePMiLBS

— Leah Byrd (@LeahByrd2026) October 4, 2024

Audrey Cathey (2026, 3B/MIF/UT, Mojo-Lewis/Summit High, TN, Missouri)

H🐯ME @MojoLewis @BSherSB @CoachLarissaA @J_Cottrill_ @CoachBella42 @coachMarino11 @MizzouSoftball pic.twitter.com/JZ8axjYgGs

— Audrey Cathey 2026 (@audrey_cathey24) September 18, 2024

EG Hatcher (2026, C/UT, Athletics Gold Tamborra/Grassfield High, VA, James Madison)

All the way back to day 1, Go Dukes💜🐶@JMUSoftball @Coach_LaPorte @CoachEmPhillips @maddiepenta @AGTTamborra16U @jen_schro @ElliottSaysWhat @CoachHoeft @LineDsoftball @ExtraInningSB @los_stuff @SoftbalAmerica pic.twitter.com/YiZtRkIp6o

— E.G. Hatcher 2026 (@EGHatcher2026) October 3, 2024

Braelyn Bailey (2026, RHP/UT, Starz Gold-Bunn/Grassfield High, VA, James Madison)

So excited to have verbally committed to play for @JMUSoftball! THANK YOU SO MUCH to @Coach_LaPorte Coach Herzig @CoachEmPhillips @maddiepenta @CoachHoeft @Hc_fastpitch @StarzGold_Bunn pic.twitter.com/pYKGP0BAC2

— Brae Bailey 2026 (@braelynbailey) October 3, 2024

Lydia Anderson (2026, OF/LHP, Starz Gold-Bunn/Lunenburg Central High, VA, Liberty)

God Did! Go Flames 🔥 @StarzGold @StarzGold_Bunn @CoachDot_LU @SamiFagan @coachkfagan @kickem2theKIRB pic.twitter.com/1ocTyWyksL

— Lydia Anderson (@L_Anderson2026) September 22, 2024

Kelsie Skaggs (2026, MIF, Universal-Macias/Liberty High, CA, UNLV)

I can’t wait to be a REBEL!!! ♥️🖤 @UNLVSoftball @anthony_aresco @UniversalMacias @LibertyLionsSB @LHSLionsSports @westcoastpreps_ @ExtraInningSB @LineDsoftball @PrepSoftball @MaxPreps pic.twitter.com/KVwkPW24LH

— Kelsie Skaggs (@KSkaggs2026) February 1, 2025

Grace Welicky (2026, C/OF, Athletics Gold Tamborra/Denmark High, GA, Mercer)

GO BEARS!!!!!!🐻 pic.twitter.com/mOJAaue2jK

— Grace Welicky (@grace_welicky) October 20, 2024

Alexis Evans (2026, OF, Athletics Gold Tamborra/Archer High, GA, Mercer)

GO BEARS!!🧡🐻 @LindsayFico @cara_parker13 @courtneygettins pic.twitter.com/HxHCPiHuXb

— Alexis Evans (@AlexisEvans2026) November 25, 2024

Lilah Deavers (2026, RHP/1B, Hanover Lady Hornets-Knicely/Broadway High, VA, Elon)

Gods Plan > Mine🙏🏻 GO BIRDS!!🐦‍🔥🐦‍🔥@ElonSoftball @CoachSophDevesa @CarleyDavis22 @ladyhornets2026 @LadyHornetsVA @BWAYathletics @TincherPitching pic.twitter.com/9ypcjKj41K

— Lilah Deavers 2026 (@Deavers_Lilah8) October 15, 2024

Gabriella Castle (2026, RHP/UT, Hanover Lady Hornets-Plank/NOVA Homeschool, VA, Mount Olive)

100% COMMITTED!! 💚🤍 @ritalynngilman @freitager @CoachIndiaUMO @TJSmothers @CoachJDeitz @UMOSoftball pic.twitter.com/i9wnTmm9Qo

— Gabriella Castle (@gaby_castle2026) January 29, 2025

Emily Plank (2026, RHP, Hanover Lady Hornets-Plank/Deep Run High, VA, Gardner-Webb)

SKO’ DAWGS🐾 @GWUSoftball @mackzuppas @baileywigness @NickPuglisi pic.twitter.com/8H9983MFu1

— Emily Plank (@emilyplankk4) January 30, 2025

Amelia Cervantes (2026, MIF/UT, Hanover Lady Hornets-Knicely/Currituck County High, NC, Radford)

I’ve prayed for this since I first watched collegiate softball at 8. Then at 12, I guest played at a PGF in Nashville and thought, I can do this! Thankfully, God had the same plan. Let’s go Highlanders! #RiseAndDefend @RadfordSoftball @ladyhornets2026 @CameronKFagan @KaraCanetto pic.twitter.com/EQjwd8pzZh

— Amelia Cervantes ‘AC’🇺🇸🇲🇽 (@AmeliaC2026) January 24, 2025

Mariah Leonard (2026, OF/MIF, Hanover Lady Hornets-Plank/New Kent High, VA, Bridgewater College)

Beyond blessed!! ❤️🦅@Hornets08_Plank @MegPlesko9 @Bh2osoftball @NewKentSoftball pic.twitter.com/jGV1xhpFq8

— Mariah Leonard (@MariahLeonard_6) October 9, 2024

Peyton Greene (2025, OF/2B, Rock Gold/Greene Academy High, VA, South Florida Sate College)

pic.twitter.com/1VQmYlbXbF

— Peyton Greene (@PeytonGreene_6) August 16, 2024

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HSOTD

Today’s Hype Song of the Day is …

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BTITW

Today’s Best Thing In The World is …

Wondering how does this species survive in the wild.. 😅 pic.twitter.com/VvjkTUp379

— Buitengebieden (@buitengebieden) March 23, 2025

— Carlos Arias, Line Drive Media (Follow Carlos on Twitter @los_stuff)