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, June 23, 2025:

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THE FINAL PITCH: TAYLOR PURCHAS

Uncommitted 2028 OF Taylor Purchas recently talked to Line Drive Media about Illinois Chill Gold, PGF/Alliance Nationals, winning the recent 18U Team1 Elite Club Summer Invitational, Illinois players, bat hands, Impact Gold-Jackson, switching positions, Toni Purchas, future college, college camps, interior design, biology, Aliyah Andrews, “The Duff,” Migos, “Avatar: The Last Airbender,” Spder-Man: Across the Spider-Verse” and jumping.

THE FINAL PITCH Q&A

Name: Taylor Purchas

Hometown: Homewood, IL

High School: Homewood Flossmoor High

Club Team: Illinois Chill Gold 18U

Graduation Year: 2028

Height: 5-8

Position/s: OF

Nickname: “Tay” and “TP3.” My dad is Tony Purchas, my sister is Toni Purchas and since I am Taylor Purchas. My mom called me “TP3.” Most of my friends call me “Tay” and my coaches call me “TP.”

Social Media: @purchastp3 on Twitter

Honors: HF May Student Athlete of the Month, All-Conference (2025) and USSSA Direct invite (2022).

Travel Ball Summer 2024 Stats: .413 AVG, .470 OBP and 40 putouts.

Travel Ball Fall 2024 Stats: .432 AVG, .490 OBP and 15 putouts.

High School Spring 2025 Stats: .461, .505 OBP and 75 putouts.

Travel Ball Summer 2025 Stats (So Far): .200 AVG, .250 OBP and 15 putouts.

Tell us about your travel team/organization and how you became involved with them? I used to play with another team for a few years that was breaking up so my parents took me to a tryout for the Chill. It’s been a lot of fun playing on the Chill and playing with these amazing players.

Tell us about your experience at PGF/Alliance Nationals?
The Alliance Nationals was my first time ever being in California and I’m super excited to be able to go back again. My team played really well and it was so cool to be able to see and play all of these teams that are all around the country. It was a great way to end my 14U season and prepare me for my 18U season that came as a shock. My Coach talked about being moved up to 18U, but I never thought that it would be me and I’m so glad it was because the competition is making me a much better player.

Can you talk about helping your teams win the recent 18U Team1 Elite Club Summer Invitational? This tournament was very tiring, but my team was able to push past that and come through with a win. I was able to come through with a few clutch hits and a PO at home that stopped the go-ahead run in the semifinal to help my team win and advance into the tournament.

What makes players from the state of Illinois special? Players in Illinois show how fun it is to play softball by playing loose and not like their life depends on whatever happens during the game.

What was your biggest focus in the offseason? Finding a comfortable place to put my hands while batting and how I load was a big focus. At one point, I had them high and then I had them low, but I think understanding how where my hands are affects my swing, helped me figure out a comfortable spot to put them.

Which player/team has been your toughest opponent and why? At the 18U level, all of these teams that we play are a challenge, but Impact Gold-Jackson was a tough team. They are very aggressive on the bases and their lineup is filled with a lot of great hitters.

What have you faced/overcome in life that has made you the person you are today? For most of my softball career, I was a pitcher, but once I came to the Chill my love for pitching started to die down. I knew my parents loved watching me pitch so having to tell them that I didn’t want to anymore was pretty hard. Once I did, softball became more enjoyable for me.

Do you have any family members/siblings that are athletes? Toni Purchas, sister, also plays softball. She is a catcher in college.

What are you looking for in a future college? I am looking for schools that are warmer all year round. I also want a team that is diverse because I love learning about other people, who are completely different from me. I want a competitive team that I can make an impact on.

What college camps have you attended and are you planning to attend and why? I have attended Florida State University, Georgia and University of Florida. I would like to visit so many, but I know my parents can’t do that so I am focusing on schools in the South and warmer climates.

What areas are you interested in future occupations and why? I am interested in interior design because I’ve always loved designing and creating spaces. I think the video games I played growing up also had an influence on what I want to do.

What’s your favorite subject to study in school and why? My favorite subject is biology because I learn so many interesting and new things every day.

Who is your sports hero and why? I used to love watching Aliyah Andrews, the center fielder on LSU because she’s had a lot of great catches and watching her hit was fun because she was a slapper and you would never know what she was going to do. My sister is also my sports hero because I would have never started playing without her.

What’s your favorite book to read and why? I’m definitely not that into books, but one of my favorite books is “The Duff” by Kody Keplinger because I like the silly aspects and the serious parts. There’s a good amount of both in that book and it also shows how some teenagers deal with tough situations.

What’s the best hype song and why? I am not deeply into music, but I like “Stir Fry” (by Migos) because it reminds me of softball even when I’m not playing.

What’s your favorite TV show to binge and why? I love watching “Avatar: The Last Airbender” because even though the show is old, the jokes and the overall mood of the show makes it seem more recent.

What’s your favorite movie and why? My favorite movie has to be “Spider-man: Across the Spider-Verse.” I’ve watched it so many times without getting bored and I like that they don’t make it too serious.

Do you have a secret talent/skill? Recently, I found out that I’m pretty good when it comes to jumping. This past year, I did high jump and hurdles in high school and I really loved it.

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NEWS & NOTES

***Summer Games 2025 is June 23-26 in OKC. To follow the tournament online, CLICK HERE.

***USSSA Space Coast World Series is June 23-28 in Viera, FL. To follow the tournament online, CLICK HERE.

***Team NJ Summer Classic is June 25-26 in Jackson Township, NJ. To follow the tournament online, CLICK HERE.

***P5 Patriot Games is June 26-28 in Windsor, CO. To follow the tournament online, CLICK HERE.

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SIGNING/COMMITMENT ALERTS

Andrea Alvarez (2025, C, Warrior Academy-McDonald/Gilroy High, CA, Saint Mary’s)

𝓢𝓲𝓰𝓷𝓮𝓭 🖋️

Join us in welcoming Andrea Alvarez to Gaels Softball!#GaelsRise pic.twitter.com/r0DMzFEEY0

— Saint Mary's Softball (@GaelsSoftball) November 13, 2024

Ruby Cuen Camacho (2025, OF, Universal Fastpitch-Macias/Freedom High, CA, Saint Mary’s)

𝓢𝓲𝓰𝓷𝓮𝓭 🖋️

Happy to announce the addition of Ruby Cuen Camacho to the team! 🔥#GaelsRise pic.twitter.com/4O1zWUllAa

— Saint Mary's Softball (@GaelsSoftball) November 13, 2024

Madeline Haun (2025, P, Bombers Gold American/Smithson Valley High, TX, Saint Mary’s)

𝓢𝓲𝓰𝓷𝓮𝓭 🖋️

Welcome Madeline Haun to Gaels Softball!#GaelsRise pic.twitter.com/QV85JDpKlC

— Saint Mary's Softball (@GaelsSoftball) November 13, 2024

Janessa Parras (2025, C, Universal Fastpitch-Macias/James Logan High, CA, Saint Mary’s)

𝓢𝓲𝓰𝓷𝓮𝓭 🖋️

Excited to have Janessa Parras join the Gaels Softball family!#GaelsRise pic.twitter.com/Xy9qZl0Ehv

— Saint Mary's Softball (@GaelsSoftball) November 13, 2024

Katie Torrez (2025, OF, Empire Fastpitch/Kennedy High, CA, Saint Mary’s)

Excited to have Katie Torres join the Gaels Softball family! ❤️💙#GaelsRise pic.twitter.com/k9WEy3U9B4

— Saint Mary's Softball (@GaelsSoftball) November 13, 2024

Lauren Tran (2025, OF, Suncats Jimenez/Amador Valley High, CA, Saint Mary’s)

𝓢𝓲𝓰𝓷𝓮𝓭 🖋️

Give a warm welcome to Lauren Tran! 💙❤️#GaelsRise pic.twitter.com/zHcpknAjQ6

— Saint Mary's Softball (@GaelsSoftball) November 14, 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 …

Built from the ground up. Marvel Television’s #Ironheart arrives June 24 on @DisneyPlus. pic.twitter.com/SwpLzC1Sa7

— Marvel Studios (@MarvelStudios) June 20, 2025

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