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, Aug. 4, 2025:

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THE FINAL PITCH: KAYLEE HODGES

Uncommitted 2027 RHP/1B Kaylee Hodges, #7 in the 2027 Line Drive Hot 100, recently talked to Line Drive Media bout Team NC-Bowman, Gatorade State Player of the Year Award, helping her team win the recent 16U Atlanta Legacy Showcase Invitational, helping her team reach the Elite 8 at AFCS, Virginia players, advice for younger players, strength and conditioning, biggest focus, Indiana Magic Gold-Moore/Carmichael, overcoming injuries, Emma Karp, future college, college camps, communications, math, Lacey Waldrop,  “Throw Like A Girl,” Motley Crue, “Stranger Things,” “The Sandlot” and Tae Kwon Do.

THE FINAL PITCH Q&A

Name: Kaylee Hodges

Hometown: Chesterfield, VA

High School: Matoaca High

Club Team: Team NC-Bowman 16U

Graduation Year: 2027

Height: 5-9

Position/s: RHP/1B, also hits

Nickname: Hodges, because I always played with a ton of Kaylees, so for coaches to get my attention, they call me by my last name, Hodges, where it eventually got moved from outside the sports world to my everyday life and most people I know now call me Hodges.

Social Media: @KayleeHodges14 on Twitter, @kayleehodges07 on Instagram and @khodgesva0209 on TikTok

Honors: #7 in the 2027 Line Drive Hot 100, Virginia Gatorade Player of the Year (2025), CCPS co-Player of the Year, 1st Team All-Metro, 1st Team All-Region, 2nd Team All-State, PGF All-American watchlist (2025), 1st Team High School All-American by Line Drive, co-champions Atlanta Legacy/Alex Wilcox, 3rd place at 16U IDT, 3rd place at Scenic City Summer Top 25 and 3rd place at 18U Sweet 16 Invitational.

Travel Ball Fall 2024 Stats: Pitching — 64 IP, 127 Ks, 4 BBs, 38 hits, 13 runs, 0.656 WHIP, .169 BAA; Hitting — .500 AVG, .622 OBP, 7 HRs, 27 RBIs.

High School Spring 2025 Stats: Pitching — 108 IP, 25 hits, 9 runs, 3 ER, 8 BBs, 256 Ks, 0.195 ERA, 0.343 WHIP, .077 BAA; Hitting — BA .500 AVG, .646 OBP, 1.442 OPS, 20 RBIs, 19 BBs, 1 HR.

Travel Ball Summer 2025 Stats: Pitching — 94 IP, 133 Ks, 13 BBs, 44 hits, 18 runs, 0.606 WHIP, .134 BAA; Hitting — .295 AVG, .418 OBP, 10 HRs, 29 RBIs.

Tell us about your travel team/organization and how you became involved with them? I met Team NC through a tournament I played in with one of my old teams back in early 12U. I started to guest play with them when I finally hit my first ever over-the-fence home run. The more I played with them, I realized that they felt like family and they pushed me to be my best on and off the field. Being on this team has shaped my perspective as an athlete to work hard for my individual and team success. I am extremely grateful for such wonderful people, teammates and coaches, who help me strive to become better each and every day.

Can you talk about your experience winning the Gatorade State Player of the Year Award? I am extremely honored to be given this huge award. I was amazed at the fact I was awarded with such a prestigious honor. There are a ton of amazing athletes out there in the state of Virginia and I am very fortunate to be recognized as one of them.

Can you talk about helping your team win the recent 16U co-championship at the Atlanta Legacy Showcase Invitational? As a player, I just go on the field, do as my coaches asks and give my best effort. It makes it a ton easier on me when I have coaches who provide great pitch calling! As a team, I think that we really came together well and found ways to win even when it was tough. I love competing with these girls and battling hard even on some of the hottest days. I am super proud and give all of the props to my teammates for finding ways to score runs and put us on the board while having great defense behind me whenever I’m in the circle.

Can you talk about your recent experience reaching the 16U Elite 8 at AFCS? I believe that I did my best by trying to help my team in the circle this tournament, but I also stepped it up with my hitting. I wouldn’t have been able to be as successful without my amazing teammates backing me up while in the circle, but they also contributed a ton when it came to stepping up at the plate in big moments and allowing us to scratch runs when needed. Also, we couldn’t have made it to the Final Four without our outstanding coaches helping us guide the way through tough games.

What makes players from the state of Virginia special? We have a ton of talent in our 5C Division and it was super fun competing against tons of people who are going to high-level D1 programs for softball.

How would you counsel young players to handle school work and training/practicing softball? I would recommend them to write a schedule out and make sure they handle their time efficiently, which can also improve time management skills for other things in life, not just for sports/school.

What was your biggest focus in the offseason? Strength and conditioning.

Which player/team has been your toughest opponent and why? Indiana Magic Moore-Carmichael because they are loaded with talents and always give us a very competitive game.

What have you faced/overcome in life that has made you the person you are today? Having injuries and realizing how to prioritize my physical and nutrition health.

Do you have any family members/siblings that are athletes? Emma Karp, sister, played soccer at Berry University and was named Sunshine State Player of the Year her freshman year of college.

What are you looking for in a future college? Somewhere that will provide me with a great education, feels like home and where I will be able to make an impact in the program.

What college camps have you attended and are you planning to attend and why? I’ve been to a lot of camps and I look forward to the Connect camp coming up in August that helps me get in front of tons of coaches at once.

What areas are you interested in future occupations and why? Communications because I like interacting/interviewing others or something with cybersecurity/engineering because I like numbers.

What’s your favorite subject to study in school and why? Math because I am good with numbers.

Who is your sports hero and why? Lacey Waldrop (a former All-American and WCWS champion at Florida State) because she used to be my pitching coach for some time.

What’s your favorite book to read and why? “Throw Like A Girl” by Jennie Finch because it teaches you how to believe in yourself.

What’s the best hype song and why? “Kickstart My Heart” by Motley Crue because I grew up with parents who love listening to rock.

What’s your favorite TV show to binge and why? “Stranger Things” because I think that it’s cool that there is a whole other world where things are coming from and they are trying to stop it before it comes into their reality.

What’s your favorite movie and why? “The Sandlot” because it was a movie me and most of my friends grew up watching as a kids.

Do you have a secret talent/skill? I play piano and I am a black belt in Tae Kwon Do.

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NEWS & NOTES

***ACL Super Cup Stage 1 is Sept. 13-14 in Virginia. To follow the tournament online, CLICK HERE.

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SIGNING/COMMITMENT ALERTS

Kiran Kyham (2026, OF, Impact Gold-Jackson/Homeschool, TX, Utah)

COMMITEDDDD GO UTES!! I am so honored to announce my commitment to play softball at the University of Utah! Thank you so much to everyone who has stood by me during this process! Go utes! @IG_Jackson18u @KcJackson00 @Utah_Softball pic.twitter.com/OJq9vQUmMP

— Kiran Kyham/NCAA ID# 2409406628 (@kiran_kyham) July 29, 2025

Alayla Soard (2026, SS/3B/OF, Ohio Hawks-Ford/Notre Dame High, OH, Ball State)

CHIRP CHIRP!!!❤️🖤👌🏼
#AGTG pic.twitter.com/EaZRECrvts

— Alayla Soard (@AlaylaSoard2026) July 28, 2025

  (2026, MIF, Team NC-Baylog/Metrolina Christian Academy, NC, Liberty)

We are excited to welcome @LibertySB commit @AlainaGriffin08!

Alaina is a MIF from Monroe, NC where she is a rising senior at Metrolina Christian School.

Welcome to Team NC Hinde Griffin Family!! #TeamNC pic.twitter.com/q0bATpAqtl

— Team North Carolina (Hinde) (@TeamNCHinde) July 29, 2025

Madison Crocker (2026, OF/C, Team NC-Kobziak/Turybury/Crest High, NC, Gardner Webb)

I’m very excited to announce my commitment to play Division 1 softball at @GWUSoftball ❤️🖤🤍🐾 @TeamNCKobziak @TeamNCSoftball pic.twitter.com/OHYka33RP3

— Madison Crocker (@Maddiecrocker34) July 28, 2025

Maddie Guthrie (2026, RHP/1B, MI Firecrackers 08-Lane/Macomb Dakota High, MI, Goshen College)

💜🍁 #Committed #GoLeafs @goshen_sb pic.twitter.com/7tHxGC6iTQ

— Maddie Guthrie (@MaddieGuthrie23) July 28, 2025

Payton Roberson (2026, 2B/UT, Georgia Impact-Holcombe/East Coweta High, GA, Florida Gulf Coast)

Change of plans… So excited for this new chapter!! 🦅💙💚 #wingsup @LindsayFico @DevynFlaherty @FGCU_Softball pic.twitter.com/mIzNCfH0YV

— Payton Roberson (@P_Roberson2026) July 29, 2025

Madelyn Melhorn (2026, 1B/OF/UT, AR Prime-Camp/Glen Rose High, AR, Arkansas Tech)

I’m super excited to announce my commitment to @ATUSoftball! A huge thanks to my family, and the Lord! I’m so blessed to have the opportunity to continue playing the sport I love at the next level!! @jtjones00 @scottgongola @ar_prime_sb pic.twitter.com/SH8QobO9n9

— Madelyn Melhorn (@MaddieMelhorn) July 28, 2025

Kennedie Nelson (2026, LHP, AZ Storm Premier-Sheehan/Highland High, AZ, Oklahoma Baptist)

I am beyond excited to announce my commitment to continue my academic and athletic career at Oklahoma Baptist University! I would like to thank my family for their endless support. Thank you to my coaches for all the opportunities I have been given. Finally thank you God for… pic.twitter.com/VPGCxmFnEx

— Kennedie Nelson (@kennedie_sftbll) July 29, 2025

Shiloh Wells (2026, OF, Motion X/Pearl High, MS, Northwest Community College)

After much prayer and consideration, I have decided to further my academic and athletic career at Northwest Community College. I would like to thank my family, the coaches who have grown me over the last few years, and teammates who have supported me. Thank you Coach Chelsea for… pic.twitter.com/8z0Mc7HggT

— Shiloh Wells (@wells_shil10541) July 29, 2025

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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 …

‘THE NAKED GUN’ opens with $17M domestically, one of the biggest openings for a comedy this decade.

Read our review: https://t.co/AuEsYGXaP8 pic.twitter.com/caoU3zf7lJ

— DiscussingFilm (@DiscussingFilm) August 3, 2025

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