Club News: The Final Pitch (Aug. 18, 2025): Spotlighting Grand Canyon-Bound Izzy Rueda, News, Commits, 'Crazy Train' & 'Alien' Timeline
By Carlos Arias
August 18, 2025
Club News: The Final Pitch (Aug. 18, 2025): Spotlighting Grand Canyon-Bound Izzy Rueda, News, Commits, 'Crazy Train' & 'Alien' Timeline
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. 18, 2025:
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THE FINAL PITCH: IZZY RUEDA
Grand Canyon-bound OF Izzy Rueda recently talked to Line Drive Media about USA Athletics Gold-Rogers, PGF Nationals, California players, Birmingham Thunderbolts, doubters, athletic family, Grand Canyon, medical field, science, Yasiel Puig, “Mind Gym,” Ozzy Osbourne, “Grey’s Anatomy,” “Blue Crush” and surfing.
THE FINAL PITCH Q&A
Name: Isabella “Izzy” Rueda
Hometown: Lakewood, CA
High School: Lakewood High
Club Team: USA Athletics Gold-Rogers 18U
Graduation Year: 2025
Height: 5-7
Position/s: OF
Nickname: My nickname is “Izzy.” I got the nickname from my 10U teammates because me and another girl on the team had the same name, so everyone started to call me Izzy!
Social Media: @izzyruedaaa on Instagram and @izzyrueda16 on Twitter
Honors: Principals Honor Roll (2022-2023, 2023-2024, 2024-2025), Sports Medicine Club (2024-2025) and Health Occupations and Sports Medicine Medallion (2025).
Travel Ball Fall 2024 Stats: .321 AVG, .424, OBP and 1.000 fielding percentage.
High School Spring 2025 Stats: .500 AVG, 40 hits, .582 OBP and 1.000 fielding percentage.
Travel Ball Summer 2025 Stats: .495 AVG, 49 hits, .537 OBP and 1.000 fielding percentage.
Tell us about your travel team/organization and how you became involved with them? USA Athletics is an amazing organization. I was lucky enough to be a part of this organization for most of my travel career and I wouldn’t have wanted to end it with anyone else. Coach Mike and Rose Rogers are amazing coaches and mentors. The training facility is one of a kind and has helped me get prepared for the D1 level. USA feels like home and will always be a part of me!
Tell us about your experience at PGF Nationals? Going into this year’s Nationals, I just thought: “why not us?” We are a great team, have great chemistry and had a great fall. I felt really excited to go out with this group of girls and we dominated all week long, finishing in 9th place. I could not be more proud of a group of girls. We left everything out on the field and fought to the very last pitch.
What makes players from the state of California special? California is one of the best states to become a great softball player. We are able to play year-round because of the amazing weather and the amount of competitive athletes that are trained in this state is unmatched.
Which player/team has been your toughest opponent and why? It was always a challenge when playing the Birmingham Thunderbolts pitcher, Vic Moten. She is an awesome player and amazing pitcher. She always looks so confident in the circle and has great spin and speed. Hopefully, I can face her in college for more opportunities!
What have you faced/overcome in life that has made you the person you are today? When I was younger, I feel like lots of coaches never saw my potential and always judged me based off my size. I was even told in my earlier ages that I would never make it to the D1 level. I didn’t like how people spoke about me and how coaches saw me, so I really started to focus and got serious with my workouts and confidence. Once I proved those people wrong with hard work and staying focused, my confidence and self-talk became a lot better. Now, instead of tearing young players down, I do my best to uplift them and by doing that I started my own hitting/slapping business for young girls!
Do you have any family members/siblings that are athletes? Jill Rueda, mom, played softball; Jesse Brooks, brother, played travel and high school baseball; Anthony Rueda, brother, plays travel and high school baseball; Lilly Rueda, sister, plays travel and high school softball; Marlie Merrill, cousin, plays travel and high school softball; and Drake Merrill, cousin, is continuing his baseball career at El Camino College.
Why did you choose to commit to Grand Canyon? The minute I stepped on that campus four years ago, I fell in love with it. GCU not only has an amazing campus, but a beautiful softball facility. The coaching staff is so welcoming and treats their girls like family. GCU is also a faith-based school, which is what sold it for me because I am a christian athlete.
What areas are you interested in future occupations and why? I’ve always been interested in the medical field, mostly nursing because I love to help people. I feel like I am someone who likes to do more hands-on work and nursing does just that! I am surrounded by nurses all throughout my family and it seems like such an amazing and fun job. As I get older, I just fall more and more in love with the idea of being a nurse.
What’s your favorite subject to study in school and why? I am very interested in my science classes like biology, anatomy and physiology, chemistry and sports medicine and I was also a part of the medical pathway at my school. Sciences are very challenging, but they are the most interesting to me and relate to what I want to do in the future!
Who is your sports hero and why? I am a huge Dodger fan and grew up watching them. One player who always stood out to me was Yasiel Puig. He was such an energetic player and had a hot bat. Puig played the same position as me and it was always inspiring to see the great plays he would make on the field.
What’s your favorite book to read and why? My favorite book to read is “Mind Gym” by Gary Mack. I think every athlete should read this book whether they struggle with being in their head or not. This book made me realize how much your mind influences your athletic performance and taught me techniques on how to calm the mind. One of my travel ball coaches from the USA 18U Gold team, Coach Jeff, told my team and I about this book and it has really helped me with my performance mentally and physically.
What’s the best hype song and why? “Crazy Train” by Ozzy Osbourne because it has such an exciting beat and pumps me up.
What’s your favorite TV show to binge and why? I love watching “Grey’s Anatomy.” It is hard to keep up in because of all the seasons, but it relates to my dream job and I find it very interesting to watch the real-life situations.
What’s your favorite movie and why? I can never choose between “Blue Crush” and “Grown Ups 2.” I love “Blue Crush” because the ocean is one of my favorite places to be and I love surfing. I love “Grown Ups” because my favorite actor is Adam Sandler and the movie is just hilarious.
Do you have a secret talent/skill? I would say a skill I have that not many people know is surfing. I am not the best at it, but I do practice a lot and it brings me a lot of joy!
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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.
***Brittany Lewis has been very successful coaching at the 16U level, including a PGF 16U Premier national championship in 2024, and she’s taking over Mojo 2032-Lewis 10U this fall.
🚨 We have assembled a true group of WINNERS! All 10 returned from last season and we welcome 3 new studs!🚨
✨ Introducing the 2025-2026 Mojo-Lewis 2032 Roster ⬇️ ✨ #doMinate 🟠 🔵 @TnMojoFastpitch @LineDsoftball @BrenttEads @los_stuff @ExtraInningSB @PGFnetwork pic.twitter.com/oYO3gm6gzB
***Beverly Bandits Premier-Conroy 16U released its roster for the fall season.
16U-Conroy roster drop 👇 pic.twitter.com/K1N5B3JJWx
***Here’s how to find the Aces Fastpitch Club on Social Media:
Make sure to follow us on all platforms! Stay up to date on what we’re up to!! pic.twitter.com/qWcm4MhwY3
***Bombers Gold Futures-Malpass 14U, the reigning 14U AFCS Tier 3 national champion, released its fall schedule.
Fall Schedule! Can’t wait to get back on the field. @LineDsoftball @TOP_D1RECRUITS @ExtraInningSB @SBRRetweets @SoftballDown pic.twitter.com/tltkEvONFI
***2028 C/UT Bailee Baber, who was previously with Bombers Gold American 14U, has joined Bombers Gold Futures-Kennedy 16U.
Roster and schedule drop!! Can’t wait for this season with @BombersKennedy !!@KristiMalpass @vasquezmarky @coach_L0pez @VestalBrooke @gatorjack72 @allingrit @SUPiratesSB @CoachLynnSUSB @K_Cruse7 @MSU_Softball @ShoMcDonald @IverRobinson pic.twitter.com/O3YtfImehr
***EC Bullets Gold-Schnute/Bilz has moved up to 18U and here’s its fall schedule.
New age division, same goal, same GOLD standard.
Thank you to our owners for believing in us, and this team!
Fall schedule drop 👇@EastCobbBullets @LineDsoftball pic.twitter.com/r42RGkGKrf
***2027 C/IF/UT Maddie McCallister has joined Team NC-Smith 16U.
New adventures. Honored to wear the @TeamNCSoftball logo on my chest, once again. I thank my former organization, team and coaches. I was with them during the hardest two years of my life. My softball journey is leading me back to the Carolinas. We have some exciting tourneys up… https://t.co/4Ios5WLBxF
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SIGNING/COMMITMENT ALERTS
Ava Twilley (2026, RHP/1B/3B, EC Bullets-Cornett/Mardela High, MD, Mississippi State)
So excited to be a Bulldog 🐶🐶 #HailState @HailStateSB pic.twitter.com/VpILMVZo0i
Bella Granata (2026, C/3B, NorCal Rising/Liberty Ranch High, CA, San Diego State)
From Nor Cal➡️So Cal
San Diego has always had my ❤️
Excited to be an Aztec! Thank you Coach Nuvey and Coach Curly for this amazing opportunity! pic.twitter.com/LxzCXFPzJP
Audrey Amoruso (2026, P/3B/SS, NJ Pride-Stern/Indian Wells High, NJ, Fordham)
I am very excited to announce my verbal commitment to Fordham University to continue my athletic and academic career!! @FordhamSoftball @NJPrideGold @AshleyDeYoung16 @stacevicz @Nandoboom96 @IHHS_ATHLETICS pic.twitter.com/Pa6mExMhQO
Mia Bennette (2026, 3B/MIF, Warrior Academy-McDonald/Kings Academy High, CA, Pacific)
I’m beyond excited to announce my commitment to play softball at the University of the Pacific! I’ve been so blessed to find such an amazing school to continue my academic and athletic journey. All glory to God! I’m so excited for what’s ahead at @PacificSoftball. Go Tigers!!… pic.twitter.com/QSYCdazhmK
Avery Evans-Pickens (2026, 3B/OF, Texas Riptide/Porter High, TX, Louisiana-Monroe)
AGTG!!! Can’t wait to be a Warhawk!! @molly_fichtner @leawodach @TxRiptide07 @SamCamp50 @nadiataylor88 @PickensThe pic.twitter.com/lkCa2uksa7
Alivia Cooper (2026, C/IF/OF, Team NC-Hinde/Bulitt East High, KY, Troy)
GO TROJANS!!⚔️⚔️@TroyTrojansSB @e_newellcoach @NateTompkins @MackPuck01 @TeamNCHinde pic.twitter.com/vBxWuvnKPT
Lauren Baker (2026, LHP/UT, Stars National-Gleason/Abingdon High, VA, East Tennessee State)
NEXT FOUR!! 💙💛 #COMMITTED #gobucs @ETSUSoftball @rwwagner @tampagleason18U @StrengthAhs pic.twitter.com/zAlv4fv5Em
Briana Villanueva (2026, 1B/OF, Nitro 08-Rogers/Lufkin High, TX, Arkansas-Rich Mountain)
Go Bucks!!🖤❤️ #commited @UARMSoftball @nealy_tracy @Swarm_Wideman @Kristen23Nicole @LufkinSoftball pic.twitter.com/7Ta48RoGGV
Isabella Anderson (2026, C/MIF/OF, Epic NWA Premier 2025/26/Rogers High, AR, Arkansas-Rich Mountain)
I am proud to announce my verbal commitment to Rich Mountain to play softball after high school. I realized I never made a post here, so I figured it was time. pic.twitter.com/D8r3svnZ4z
Maddy Kleemann (2026, C/1B/OF, Silver Hawks-Dennison/Libertyville High, IL, St. Ambrose)
COMMITTED!! 🩵🤍@SilverHawkSball @Coach_McNulty @SAUBeesSoftball @CatchingCoach @JoeKinsella66 pic.twitter.com/34wiEWG2dc
Isabel “Izzy” Henderson (2026, C/UT, Saint Benedict a Auburndale High, TN, Walters State Community College)
Good things happen when you trust in God to put you with the right coach in the right environment! Announcing my commitment to continue my academic and athletic career with @WSCCsoftball! Thank you @BritneyPurser for the opportunity! Let’s go Senators!! pic.twitter.com/qPFzdfnUTq
Reese Khanna (2026, MIF/3B, Tampa Mustangs-RT/Cardinal Newman High, FL, St. Johns River State College)
I would like to announce that I have verbally committed to further my academic and athletic career at St. John's River State College! I would like to thank my teammates, Coach Brad, and Coach Eric for always believing in me and pushing me to be the best. I would also love to… pic.twitter.com/g7Gh5TmixG
Alivia Terry (2026, C/UT, MS Bombers-Lawson/Lawrence County High, AL, Calhoun Community College)
I’m officially a Warhawk! So excited to announce my commitment to Calhoun Community College. Thank you @Coach_DBowling for this opportunity. #GoWarhawks #Committed pic.twitter.com/fbQr3Ufj9T
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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 …
Timeline of all the mainline #Alien live-action projects pic.twitter.com/lUqF2a9K5T
— Carlos Arias, Line Drive Media (Follow Carlos on Twitter @los_stuff)
MORE
ARTICLES
Club News: The Final Pitch (Aug. 18, 2025): Spotlighting Grand Canyon-Bound Izzy Rueda, News, Commits, 'Crazy Train' & 'Alien' Timeline
August 18, 2025
Club News: Fall Schedule (Aug. 18, 2025)
August 18, 2025
High School: “Road to Columbus, Week 2…” A Discussion With Championship-Winning Coach Donnie Byrom (August 17, 2025)
August 17, 2025
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