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, April 14, 2025:

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THE FINAL PITCH: CORAL WILLIAMS

Uncommitted 2027 RHP Coral Williams recently talked to Line Drive Media about Athletics Mercado-Smith, PG Nationals, California players, winning the AZ Last Blast championship, OC Batbusters-Stith, being a perfectionist, future college, college camps, coaching, math, Teagan Kavan, “Two By Two,” Journey, “Ted Lasso,” rom-coms and surfing.

THE FINAL PITCH Q&A

Name: Coral Williams

Hometown: Norco, CA

High School: Norco High

Club Team: Athletics Mercado-Smith 18U

Graduation Year: 2027

Height: 5-6

Position/s: RHP

Social Media: @coral.williams.2027 on Instagram and @CoralW2027 on Twitter

Honors: 18U Triple Crown Nationals champion (2024), 18U Triple Crown Nationals All-Tournament (2024), PGF 18U Premier Nationals runner-up (2024), 18U AZ Last Blast All-Tournament (2025), Academic Top-25 Class of 2027 at Norco High and 4.6 GPA.

Travel Ball Summer 2024 Stats: 88 IP, 70 Ks, 23 BBs and 0.35 ERA.

Travel Ball Fall 2024 Stats: 98.1 IP, 137 Ks, 26 BBs and 0.15 ERA.

High School Spring 2025 Stats: 39 IP, 68 Ks, 8 BBs and 0.13 ERA.

Tell us about your travel team/organization and how you became involved with them? When I was in 12U, my pitching coach (Deanna Navarette) invited me to be a part of a new Mercado team she and Mike Fitzgerald were starting. I was on that team for two years, and I learned so much from my coaches and pitching in so many different game situations. Then I played for Coach (Brian) Tidd for one year in 14U and faced some of the best teams in the nation. The following year, I was pulled up to 18U to play for Coach Dave Mercado and Coach Mark Smith on the Mercado Premier team. I loved watching and learning from my older teammates. I was forced to become crafty with my pitches to be able to go up against the best hitters in the country as a freshman.

Tell us about your experience at PGF Nationals? In the championship, I was brought in to pitch in the 2nd inning with bases loaded and my team and I got out of the inning. I continued to pitch until the 6th inning. Although we lost the game, it was a great opportunity to play in a high-stakes game.

What makes players from the state of California special? Players from California have a respect for each other, but I think we also have made the greatest rivalries. Each team knows other teams in the area and it is fun to play against girls that you know and have played before.

What was your highlight of the fall? What have you been focusing on this offseason? My highlight of the fall was winning the AZ Last Blast championship. My team played hard for each other and we won some of the most intense and close games of the season. I threw an eight-inning no-hitter against a great team. In the offseason, I have been working on commanding my pitches and keeping my shoulders tall when I pitch.

Which player/team has been your toughest opponent and why? (OC) Batbusters-Stith 18U has been my toughest opponent because they have great hitters all the way through their lineup and find scrappy ways to get on base.

What have you faced/overcome in life that has made you the person you are today? I am a perfectionist and expect a lot from myself and I greatly challenge myself in school and sports to be the best of the best. I have had to work hard on accepting failure and learning from it to become a better person, student and athlete. I mentally trained by reading books and talking with my coaches and parents and that has helped make me the person and player I am today.

Do you have any family members/siblings that are athletes? I don’t have any family that are athletes. I am an only child. My mom (Kristin Williams) was in the Air Force and a commercial pilot, but is now retired. And my dad (Ryan Williams) is still in the Air Force.

What are you looking for in a future college? I want to go somewhere with a great atmosphere where I know I will be happy with the people I am around. I also want to be in a good area and I want to have the opportunity to choose a variety of majors.

What college camps have you attended and are you planning to attend and why? I have been to a variety of camps so that I can figure out what I want and don’t want in a college.

What areas are you interested in future occupations and why? I don’t know what I want to do in the future, but I love working with little kids and coaching them. I also enjoy math and writing.

What’s your favorite subject to study in school and why? My favorite subject is math because there is a right and wrong answer and I enjoy the structure and patterns of problems.

Who is your sports hero and why? I look up to (Texas standout) Teagan Kavan. I got the chance to work with her a little bit and I feel that I have pitching commonalities with her. She is kind off the field and pitches fiercely.

What’s your favorite book to read and why? My favorite book is “Two By Two” by Nicholas Sparks because it is a story that proves that love will get you through all of life’s challenges.

What’s the best hype song and why? My favorite hype songs are “Don’t Stop Believin’” by Journey, “Stronger” by Kelly Clarkson and “Runaway” by Avril Lavigne because these are the songs I grew up with from my parents and they remind me that I can accomplish anything and reminds me that my family will always have my back no matter what.

What’s your favorite TV show to binge and why? My favorite TV show is “Ted Lasso” because it is a feel-good sports show that is funny and motivates me.

What’s your favorite movie and why? I love any romantic comedy and can watch them any time.

Do you have a secret talent/skill? I love to surf with my dad (Ryan Williams). I have been surfing since I was 4 years old and find peace and happiness in the water.

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SIGNING/COMMITMENT ALERTS

Mallie West (2025, LHP/UT, Hotshots National-Nelson/New Waverly High, TX, Texas Tech)

✍️ SIGNED! @malliewest2025 pic.twitter.com/z2MGwUm0qQ

— Texas Tech Softball (@TexasTechSB) November 13, 2024

Cimone Edge (2025, 1B/C, NJ Intensity-KOD/Smyrna High, DE, Texas Tech)

✍️ SIGNED! @cimone_edge pic.twitter.com/NYMiSdt6hJ

— Texas Tech Softball (@TexasTechSB) November 13, 2024

Timber Hensley (2025, P/UT, Hotshots Naudin/Silo High, OK, Texas Tech)

✍️ SIGNED! @timberhensley pic.twitter.com/TntNQDjm6u

— Texas Tech Softball (@TexasTechSB) November 13, 2024

Mia Richards (2025, 1B/C, Hotshots Naudin/Brock High, TX, Texas Tech)

✍️ SIGNED! @MiaRichards1214 pic.twitter.com/joStSvhXP8

— Texas Tech Softball (@TexasTechSB) November 13, 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 …

Nailed it.. 😂 pic.twitter.com/cS4KZP78KW

— Buitengebieden (@buitengebieden) April 13, 2025

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