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 Friday, Aug. 22, 2025:

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THE FINAL PITCH: AVERY TUCKER

Ole Miss-committed 2026 OF Avery Tucker, #56 in the 2026 Line Drive Hot 100, recently talked to Line Drive Media about Texas Bombers Gold-Smith, Alliance Nationals, Team Canada, Georgia players, Aces Fastpitch Club, playing multiple sports, athletic family, Ole Miss, chemistry, Nate Tucker, “Five Feet Apart,” Migos, “The Vampire Diaries,” “How To Lose A Guy In 10 Days” and claw-machine skills.

THE FINAL PITCH Q&A

Name: Avery Tucker

Hometown: Milton, GA

High School: Wesleyan School

Club Team: Texas Bombers Gold-Smith 18U

Graduation Year: 2026

Height: 5-5

Position/s: OF

Nickname: “Tuck” has always been my nickname. Many people in my family have had the nickname and It got passed down to me.

Social Media: @_averytucker on Instagram, @AveryTucker_8 on Twitter and @Averytucker_ on TikTok

Honors: #56 in the 2026 Line Drive Hot 100, Wesleyan School MVP Award (2025), two-time 1st Team All-Region, All-Region Offensive Player of the Year (2024), three-time 1st Team All-State, All-Gwinnett County Player of the Month (2022), two-time 1st Team All-Gwinnett County, selected to the Canadian U18 National Team, selected to play in GADA Junior All-Star Game, selected to play in Colorado Sparkler All-Star Game (2024), selected to play in P5 Patriot Games All-Star Game (2025), All-American LaCrosse Team (2025), three-time 1st Team All-Area LaCrosse, two-time 1st Team All-State Lacrosse, 1st Team All-Gwinnett County Lacrosse (2025) and selected to the U20 Canadian Lacrosse Team as a sophomore.

High School Fall 2024 Stats: .564 AVG, 35 RBIs, 40 runs and 37 SBs.

Travel Ball Summer 2025 Stats: .386 AVG, .951 OPS, 39 hits, 32 runs, 22 RBIs, 17 BBs and 22 SBs.

Tell us about your travel team/organization and how you became involved with them? I joined the Texas Bombers this summer. I truly wasn’t planning on leaving my other team, but when I was invited to join the Texas Bombers Gold team, it was an opportunity that I could never pass up. The girls on the team are such amazing people. Not only are these girls the best players in the country, but they also have the best hearts and a “team-first” mentality. Getting to work with Coach Scott (Smith), Cat Osterman and the other assistant coaches was also a great experience and I have grown so much since the start of summer. I’ve told a lot of people this, but this was definitely my favorite summer as a softball player, yet!

Tell us about your experience at Alliance Nationals? The Alliance National tournament is different from any other I’ve played in. The structure of it with the different tiers and having Regional/Super Regional is like how college playoffs are and it’s really neat. Although the outcome wasn’t what we wanted with being runner-up, my team and I battled to the end of every game. Our most notable game was against (OC) Batbusters-Stith 18U where it was 0-0 (until) extra innings. One of my teammates ended up hitting a groundball through the 5-6 hole and scoring our runner to win the game. The environment was intense, yet so fun as a player. I can’t explain the excitement I had when our runner passed home plate. Even in that last championship game, our team was resilient and fought, which is why I love my team so much. We are ready to win it next summer!

Can you talk about your experience playing for Canada’s Junior National Team? Playing in the World Cup Qualifier last year with Team Canada Junior National Team made me fall in love with softball more than ever. Going into it, I didn’t know what to expect playing international. I knew it was going to be a challenge and I was ready to give it my all. The coaches and my teammates exceeded my expectations and we became so close in just a week. I think our relationship with each other really helped us qualify for the World Cup Finals this year and I’m so honored to be back playing with them at the end of September!

What makes players from the state of Georgia special? I think what makes Georgia so special is that many high schools in the area invest in their softball teams. Schools like Wesleyan, Buford and many other schools are able to bring in high-level players and develop younger ones. I also think Georgia does the best state tournament. All the different divisions (1A private-6A) all play the games in Columbus, GA, and it’s a cool environment for players and fans.

Which player/team has been your toughest opponent and why? Aces Fastpitch (Club) 18U, who we faced in the championship at Alliance Nationals. They were a very good team with a lot of pop in their bats.

What have you faced/overcome in life that has made you the person you are today? It was a blessing, but definitely a challenge to be a multi-sport athlete during the recruiting process. I played both travel softball and LaCrosse in summer 2024 and was trying to figure out which one I would choose to play in college. I had a lot of moments where I was exhausted and I didn’t think it was worth it to play either one. In the end, I persevered through it and was able to have to option to play both and ultimately choosing to play softball at Ole Miss.

Do you have any family members/siblings that are athletes? My family is filled with athletes: Jim Harrison, grandpa, played 12 years in the NHL; Ben Tucker Jr., grandpa, played football and LaCrosse at Navy; Ardin Tucker, mom, pole vaulted and ran at Fresno State and on Team Canada; Ben Tucker III, dad, played baseball at USC and played professionally for the Giants; Nate Tucker, brother, won a gold and silver medal in the 1,500 at the Paralympics for Team Canada; Benjy Tucker, brother, baseball player at Wisconsin-Whitewater; and Max Tucker, brother, decathlete at Georgia.

Why did yu choose to commit to Ole Miss? When I went on my visit to Ole Miss, I knew that it was going to be my school. The coaches, players and the overall team values made me want to go there. Coach Jamie Trachsel talked to me a lot about where this team is headed and that the class of 2026 is going to be a factor in winning the College World Series. The town of Oxford is also my dream location for a school. It is a great college town, small and very supportive of the school and Ole Miss athletics. I’m not sure what I want to major in, but right now I am interested in nutrition and athlete health.

What’s your favorite subject to study in school and why? I loved taking chemistry my sophomore year. Something about it really interested me and it was really easy for me to be engaged without getting bored.

Who is your sports hero and why? My brother Nate (Tucker) is definitely my sports hero. I’m so thankful for him that he can be such a great influence in my life and teach me the ways of a successful athlete. He teaches me that consistency in my work is key, but also that failure is the only way to grow. He has helped me tremendously throughout my athletic journey and has gotten me to where I am today.

What’s your favorite book to read and why? I am not a big reader, but I think my favorite book I ever read was “Five Feet Apart” (by Rachael Lippincott). I love romance books and this one was an easy read. I will say though, it made me ball my eyes out!

What’s the best hype song and why? “Stir Fry” by Migos is my favorite song to listen to before a game. Something about it just makes me hype.

What’s your favorite TV show to binge and why? I love “The Vampire Diaries.” It’s such a good show and I’ve watched it so many times.

What’s your favorite movie and why? “How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days” because I love rom-coms!

Do you have a secret talent/skill? I really love to bake. I make the best chocolate-chip cookies and banana bread, my family says. My secret talent is that I’m really good at the claw machine game at arcades. I win almost every time!

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NEWS & NOTES

***2025 Labor Day Bash at Mesquite, TX. To follow the tournament online, CLICK HERE.

***Triple Crown Labor Day Season Opener at Perris/Lake Elsinore, CA. To follow the tournament online, CLICK HERE.

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SIGNING/COMMITMENT ALERTS

Nalia Clifford (2026, SS/RHP, Silver Hawks-Dennison/Nequa Valley High, IL, Wisconsin)

I’m gonna be a badger! I’m so excited to announce my commitment to the University of Wisconsin to play softball and I can’t wait to get started! @BadgerSoftball @SilverHawkSball pic.twitter.com/PhqxwUcdRa

— Nalia Clifford (@NaliaClifford26) August 19, 2025

Sienna Burston (2026, RHP, Stars National-Coleman/Central Dauphin High, PA, Virginia)

I’m so excited and blessed to announce my commitment to the University of Virginia!! Go Hoos 💙🧡⚔️ @UVASoftball @Coach_Jo4444 @JamieAllred24 @CoachTylka @catyreeves @_coachrachel @CompleteGame @BlackCatFP @StarsNatColeman @starsnationalfp pic.twitter.com/dxhiH71yCt

— Sienna Burston 2026 (@siennaburston) August 19, 2025

Savanna Riall (2026, 3B/CF/UT, Indiana Magic Gold-Green/Greenfield Central High, IN, Toledo)

I’m extremely excited to continue my athletic and academic career at the University of Toledo! I’m so thankful for this opportunity and for all of the people who have helped me accomplish my goal! @MagicGoldSB @GCSoftball24 @GCCougars @ToledoSoftball pic.twitter.com/sAelJfhyLY

— Savvanna Riall - 2026 (@SavvannaR) August 20, 2025

Gwyn Katterhenry (2026, LHP, Illusions Gold/Stratford High, TX, Cornell)

GO BIG RED! ❤️❤️❤️ @CornellSoftball @StratfordSBall @ig_plocheck pic.twitter.com/dBPwN88BHB

— Gwyn Katterhenry (@GwynKatterhenry) August 19, 2025

Jordyn Henderson (2026, OF, NW Bullets-Campos/Sherwood High, OR, Delaware)

I’m so excited to announce my commitment to further my education and continue playing softball at the University of Delaware!!! Go Blue Hens!💙💛 pic.twitter.com/vlXwpHsEId

— Jordyn Henderson - 2026 (@jordynjh07) August 20, 2025

Elle Holmstrom (2026, 3B/UT, Sparks Premier/Marist High, IL, Saint Louis)

COMMITTED💙🤍@SLUSoftball @CoachConnoyer @Maxineee9 pic.twitter.com/iM4ySCcJgB

— Ellie Holmstrom (@ellieholm_34) August 19, 2025

Ella Prichard (2026, MIF, Ohio Hawks-Ford/Ursuline Academy, OH, Ohio Dominican)

I am so excited to announce my commitment to Ohio Dominican University!! 🐾💛🖤 @ODU_Softball @OhiohawksF pic.twitter.com/abBg3ilAn5

— Ella Prichard 2026 (@ellaprichard14) August 20, 2025

Ava Galaviz (2026, 1B/3B/UT, Bombers Lonestar/Fulshear High, TX, Blinn College)

Congrats to Bombers 18u Lonestar player Ava Galaviz and her family. Ava has committed to play softball for Blinn College! #BlueBloods #collegecommit #bombernation pic.twitter.com/VwbdBG630X

— Bombers Fastpitch (@bombers_fp) August 20, 2025

Sophia Parillo (2026, OF, RI Bombers Elite Premier/Smithfield High, RI, Stonehill College)

I’m excited to announce my verbal commitment to Stonehill College! Huge Thank you to Coach Carlos, Brian and Rick for always believing in me. I’m also beyond grateful for my family, your support and dedication made this all possible. @carlosrodas77 @BombersElite @CoachAli_SCSB pic.twitter.com/fLrCLh3ceo

— sophia parrillo (@SophiaParrillo) August 20, 2025

Carson Roden (2026, RHP/MIF, Firecrackers-Yeary/Eustis High, FL, Palm Beach Atlantic)

I am excited to announce that I have verbally committed to Palm Beach Atlantic University to further my academic and softball career!!! @SailfishSB @FCyeary pic.twitter.com/tiSFbqKdiz

— Carson Roden 2026 (@Carson_Roden19) August 20, 2025

KJ Foster (2026, C/IF/OF/UT, Bombers National-Garcia/Columbus High, TX, Henderson State)

Congrats to Bombers National Garcia player KJ Foster and her family. KJ has committed to play softball for Henderson State University! #BlueBloods #collegecommit #bombernation pic.twitter.com/H7ZtOA2eds

— Bombers Fastpitch (@bombers_fp) August 20, 2025

Gabby Ayala (2026, IF/UT, Arizona Storm-Mendez/Queen Creek High, AZ, Minot State)

So excited to announce that I have verbally committed to Minot State University to further my academic and athletic career!! Thank you @CoachSRodriguez for this incredible opportunity!! Go Beavers!! 🦫 ❤️ pic.twitter.com/9hyU71O1FM

— Gabby Ayala #24 (@GabbyAyala2026) August 19, 2025

Rindi Amos (2026, P/1B/UT, So Cal Athletics/Merritt Island High, FL, Santa Fe College)

I’m excited to announce that I’ve committed to Santa Fe College to continue both my academic and athletic career! I’m incredibly thankful for this opportunity and can’t wait to see what the future holds.@sfsaintssb #sicemsaints pic.twitter.com/B2vDdTBTRR

— Rindi K Amos (@RindiAmos) August 19, 2025

Sky Gonzalez (2026, OF/MIF, Illusions Gold Premier/Klein Oak High, TX, Kilgore College)

Go Rangers!!💙🤍 @KilgoreSoftball @CoachA_Williams @kohs_softball @illusionsbrew pic.twitter.com/WuFRkKBy4g

— Sky Gonzalez 2026 (@Skyhailey2026) August 19, 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 …

I'm sensing a Daniel Day-Lewis marathon on October 1st. Suggestions: 1. Gangs of New York; 2. The Last of the Mohicans; 3. There Will Be Blood; 4. Lincoln; 4. My Left Foot https://t.co/HiGcZx5ozB

— Carlos Arias (@los_stuff) August 21, 2025

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