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. 11, 2025:

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THE FINAL PITCH: DANIELLA BOCCANFUSO

Uncommitted 2027 RHP Daniella Boccanfuso, #12 in the 2027 Line Drive Hot 100, recently talked to Line Drive Media about Athletics Mercado-Hovermale/Tidd, winning the PGF 16U Premier national championship, California players, Lady Magic-Munoz, doubters, future college, sports industry, math, Mike Trout, Kanye West, “The Summer I Turned Pretty” and “The Sandlot.”

THE FINAL PITCH Q&A

Name: Daniella Boccanfuso

Hometown: Rancho Palos Verdes, CA

High School: Palos Verdes High

Club Team: Athletics Mercado-Hovermale/Tidd 16U

Graduation Year: 2027

Height: 5-4

Position/s: RHP

Nickname: “Dani.” When I first joined the Athletics Mercado organization three years ago, my teammates and coaches started calling me Dani.

Social Media: @daniella_boccanfuso_2027 on Instagram and @daniella_b_2027 on Twitter

Honors: #12 in the 2027 Line Drive Hot 100, 1st Team All-Bay League (2024), two-time All-CIF-SS, MVP of Pioneer League (2025), 1st Team All-State (2025) and All-Tournament by 14U AFCS Tier 1 (2023).

Travel Ball Fall 2024 Stats: 91.2 IP, 18 BBs, 133 Ks, 1.451 ERA, 0.742 WHIP and .158 BAA.

High School Spring 2025 Stats: 96.1 IP, 26 BBs, 146 Ks, 1.453 ERA, 0.872 WHIP and .169 BAA.

Travel Ball Summer 2025 Stats: 134.2 IP, 29 BBs, 113 Ks, 1.403 ERA, 1.106 WHIP and .238 BAA.

Tell us about your travel team/organization and how you became involved with them? I first joined the Athletics Mercado organization in 2022 after I played in the USA Softball 12U All-American games with some of the girls on the team. We instantly formed a connection, leading me to attend their tryouts. What really drew me in was the coaching staff, Brian Tidd and Daniel Bustamante, and the need for a pitcher on the team. I liked the Mercado “Model” as we call it during practice. Since joining this team, I’ve created an unbreakable bond with my coaches and teammates. I am grateful I get to call this organization my home.

Tell us about helping your team win the PGF 16U Premier national championship? What did this mean to your team and organization? In September of 2024 when this team was created, at our very first practice, we set a goal to win Nationals. We knew we had the talent and mental ability to do it. Since then we have put in countless hours to make our goal come true. I knew going into Nationals I would have a big role on the team. Going into bracket play, I knew we would be facing the best teams from all around the country with a target on our backs all season, but that didn’t bother me. It made me come out even stronger and with a want to win even more. When pitching in all seven bracket games (41.2 innings), I used my mindset to pitch the best that I could and trusting my defense and offense, I knew we could get the job done. We went 20-0 back-to-back years to win Nationals. This wouldn’t be possible without the guidance of my coaches and my teammates and (we’re) always picking each other up.

What makes players from the state of California special? The weather is California allows us to play year-round. There is a big level of commitment from the players, not only having to practice every weekend with their team, but also putting in the individual work. We get to face good competition and are battle-tested every weekend, which leads to the talent of California players.

Which player/team has been your toughest opponent and why? Lady Magic-Munoz tends to be a tough opponent. They have a solid offense and in order for me to be successful, I have to make sure all of my pitches are working.

What have you faced/overcome in life that has made you the person you are today? I have faced adversity and people doubting me because of my size. I don’t let any of this get in my way. I practice a lot and work hard, which has got me where I am at today.

What are you looking for in a future college? I am looking to attend a college that has a competitive softball team where I will get to play while furthering my education and earning a degree.

What areas are you interested in future occupations and why? I am interested in possibly staying in the sports industry. I am thinking about obtaining a degree in psychology to work with athletes and their mental health.

What’s your favorite subject to study in school and why? I like math the best because it challenges me and always gets my brain thinking.

Who is your sports hero and why? My sports hero is Mike Trout (an 11-time MLB All-Star and three-time MVP) because of the way he plays the game. He is humble, hard-working and a great teammate.

What’s the best hype song and why? I would say my favorite hype song is “POWER” by Kanye West because it just gets me going right before games and even before a workout.

What’s your favorite TV show to binge and why? My favorite TV show to binge is “The Summer I Turned Pretty” because the characters are really relatable and the story keeps me hooked with all the twists happening all of the time. It’s also the kind of show that makes you want to keep watching episode after episode.

What’s your favorite movie and why? My favorite movie is “The Sandlot” because it’s a classic baseball story about friendship, summer adventures and having fun as a kid. I like how it’s funny and reminds me why I love the game.

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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

Shyanne Irvin (2025, C/1B/3B, Hotshots Premier-Hawkins/St. Thomas More High, LA, Central Florida)

GOD IS SO GOOD!!! Trust in His Plan! 🖤💛⚔️ #GoKnights #ChargeOn @CoachBallMalone @noahbsanders @SPestrak @UCF_Softball @hotshotsnation pic.twitter.com/Fe4xcAoIzH

— Shyanne Irvin (@ShyIrvin) August 8, 2025

Hallie Gibson (2026, RHP, TN Mojo-Bruce Lewis/Carlinville High, IL, Western Illinois)

Beyond blessed 💜💛 @WIUSoftball @agoler35 @TheRealChopkins @MojoWade07 @CoachBruceMojo @TNMojo07 #committed pic.twitter.com/3wqPKAyevw

— Hallie Gibson (@halliesoftball7) August 8, 2025

Faith Heil (2026, OF/2B, Iowa Premier National/Sycamore High, IL, Stetson)

GO HATTERS!! 💚🤠🌴 🥎 @StetsonSoftball @CoachCuz3 @CoachAmanda27 Coach Jones @IowaPremierFP @PaigeShannonIPF @OliviaHPaz1997 @phil_pupillo @Syco_Softball @ExtraInningSB @LineDsoftball @los_stuff @gatorjack72 @Ground_Up_Bsb pic.twitter.com/4E4C5432W5

— Faith Heil (@faith_heil) August 8, 2025

Kylie Corbin (2026, P/MIF/3B/1B/OF, Stars Fastpich-Warren/North Murray High, GA, Reinhardt)

Committed! GO EAGLES! 💙💛@RUSoftball22 @RUcoachMatt @Tanner_RU @CoachCC16 pic.twitter.com/POrJMdVjC3

— Kylie Corbin (@kyliecorbin2007) August 8, 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 …

New teaser for ‘SPIDER-MAN: BRAND NEW DAY’

In theaters on July 31, 2026. pic.twitter.com/b34oRbzJRg

— DiscussingFilm (@DiscussingFilm) August 10, 2025

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