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. 25, 2025:

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THE FINAL PITCH: SYDONA “SJ” MEISER

Texas Tech-committed 2026 1B/OF Sydona “SJ” Meiser recently talked to Line Drive Media about Texas Glory, Alliance Nationals, Texas players, Aces Fastpitch Club, recovering from injury, Austen Meiser, Texas Tech, coaching, culinary arts, past athletes, “The Perfect Marriage,” Zach Bryan, “Outer Banks,” “The Polar Express” and baking.

THE FINAL PITCH Q&A

Name: Sydona “SJ” Meiser

Hometown: Keller, TX

High School: Keller High

Club Team: Texas Glory 18U

Graduation Year: 2026

Height: 5-6

Position/s: 1B/OF

Nickname: When I first started playing softball, my name was too long to yell, so they shortened it to “SJ.”

Social Media: @sydonajmeiser on Instagram and @SydonaJmeiser_1 on Twitter

Honors: 6A All-State by Texas Girls Coaches Association & Texas Sportswriters Association (2025), District 4-6A Most Valuable Player (2025), 1st Team All-Area by Dallas Morning News (2025), District 4-6A 1st Team All-District (2023), Keller High School Team Offensive Player of the Year (2023), Academic All-District (2023 & 2025), 18U 1st Team All-Tournament at TCS CO Fireworks/Sparkler by AGL (2025), TFL Fall Championship AGL All-Tournament Player of the Tournament (2023) and TFL Player of the Month (November 2023).

High School Spring 2025 Stats: .468 AVG, .562 OBP, 52 hits, 13 doubles, 4 triples, 11 HRs, 52 RBIs and set single-season school HR record.

Travel Ball Summer 2025 Stats: .425 AVG, .557 OBP, 31 hits, 5 doubles, 1 triple, 6 HRs, 28 RBIs, 75.5 percent QAB and 1.000 fielding percentage with 219 total chances.

Tell us about your travel team/organization and how you became involved with them? I started playing with Texas Glory when I was 10 years old and joined the Texas Glory 2k26 team in 12U where I connected with some teammates, who have stayed by my side all the way through 18U. Texas Glory is an amazing organization with many of the best coaches in the state of Texas. My team feels more like a family than just a travel team. We love to compete and challenge ourselves every tournament and practice. My teammates are my best friends and we’ve built a strong bond both on and off the field. We support each other, push each other and have a ton of fun together. Being part of this team has helped me grow as a player and a person.

Tell us about your experience at Alliance Nationals? Alliance Nationals has always been an incredible experience. I loved the opportunity to compete against some of the best teams in the country and it really pushed us to bring our best every game. One of my favorite parts was how the tournament format mirrors the Women’s College World Series. It made everything feel more intense. My team battled hard and made it to the Elite 8 and I’m proud of how we came together and fought through every challenge. It was definitely one of the most memorable tournaments I’ve ever played in.

What makes players from the state of Texas special? There are a lot of talented players and competitive organizations in Texas. We have the opportunity to play all year and never really have to leave the state to face top competition.

Which player/team has been your toughest opponent and why? The toughest team we faced this year was Aces Fastpitch (Club) 18U. They are stacked with incredibly talented athletes, who play with intensity. Every inning felt like a battle. They challenged us mentally and physically and forced us to elevate our game. Competing against a team like that taught me a lot about resilience and focus and it’s the kind of experience that pushes me to grow as a player.

What have you faced/overcome in life that has made you the person you are today? One of the biggest challenges I’ve faced in my softball journey was tearing my ACL, which kept me from playing for most of 2024. It was devastating, not just physically, but emotionally, because I had worked so hard and was looking forward to competing with my team and showing my skills during the recruiting season. That injury forced me to step back and reevaluate not just the game, but my mindset. I had to learn patience, resilience and how to support my teammates from the dugout. It taught me that being an athlete isn’t just about what you do on the field, it’s about how you carry yourself when things don’t go your way. That experience made me mentally tougher and more grateful for every moment I get to play now.

Do you have any family members/siblings that are athletes? Yes, my brother, Austen Meiser, is a freshman at Oklahoma Christian University where he plays baseball as a catcher/infielder. Watching him work hard and chase his goals has been really motivating for me. We’ve always pushed each other to be better and having someone so close to me in the athletic world keeps me focused and driven in my own sport.

Why did you choose to commit to Texas Tech? I chose Texas Tech because the coaches have always been incredibly welcoming. The atmosphere, both at the school and within the softball program, just felt perfect. Plus, having my longtime teammate Avery Howerton going there too made the decision even more special. We’ve played together for years and knowing we’ll continue that bond at the next level is something I’m really excited about. From the moment I connected with some of the girls on the team and coaches, I knew it was a place where I could grow as a player and as a person. It felt like home and the coaches believed in me and my ability to overcome my injury.

What areas are you interested in future occupations and why? I’m interested in coaching because I love softball and want to stay connected to the game. I also dream of owning my own bakery one day.

What’s your favorite subject to study in school and why? My favorite subject to study in school is culinary arts. I love being creative in the kitchen and learning new techniques

Who is your sports hero and why? I have never had a sports’ hero. I admire all of the girls, who play this sport at a high level, because I believe it is so difficult to master mentally and physically. Every athlete, who steps onto the field and gives it their all, is a hero to me. So while I don’t have one single sports hero, I look up to every athlete, who has come before me to make this sport what it is today.

What’s your favorite book to read and why? “The Perfect Marriage” by Jeneve Rose.

What’s the best hype song and why? My favorite hype songs are country music. Country music always has been my favorite music to listen to before games. My favorite country singer is Zach Bryan.

What’s your favorite TV show to binge and why? “Outer Banks.”

What’s your favorite movie and why? “Polar Express.” I love Christmas, so this movie always reminds me of the magic of the Christmas season.

Do you have a secret talent/skill? My secret talent is baking. Some of my favorite things to bake are croissants and macarons. Most of my free time is spent experimenting with different baking recipes.

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NEWS & NOTES

***2025 Labor Day Bash is Aug. 30-31 in Mesquite, TX. To follow the tournament online, CLICK HERE.

***Triple Crown Labor Day Season Opener is Aug. 30-Sept. 1 in Perris/Lake Elsinore, CA. To follow the tournament online, CLICK HERE.

***Lady Dukes Premier 2028-Burden/Lamar released its fall schedule.

🍂🥎 It’s OFFICIAL … our 2025 Fall Schedule is set! 🥎🍂

The @LadyDukesBurden are ready to hit the field this fall. We can’t wait to compete, grow, & keep putting in the work against some of the best competition out there! 🚀 Let’s work, Dukes! 💙 #LadyDukes #BlueMagic… pic.twitter.com/0OxjvvHNnf

— Kelsey Burden (@KelseyABurden) August 21, 2025

***Unity-Amsler/Johnson 16U released its fall schedule.

Looking forward to some great camps coming up and then kicking off our Fall schedule! 🥎 https://t.co/r8sQ0SP2ST

— Tinley Goodson (@Tinley_Goodson) August 22, 2025

***Empire State Huskies National-Porcelli/Locke 16U released its fall schedule.

We just received our schedule for the fall season. I'm so excited to get on the field & play with this team! @State16USelect @estatehuskies@johnknopf10 @coachpenny_OLY@coachjoehuskies @3n2teamclutch@lineDsoftball @Ihartfastpitch@CoastRecruits @ExtraInningsSB@los_stuff… pic.twitter.com/iqGoBxBVtV

— Dani DellaVolpe (2027) (@ddellavolpe2027) August 22, 2025

***PA Chaos National 2030-Parker 12U released its roster for the 2025-26 season.

Introducing…
🌪️ PA Chaos National 2030 🌪️

We’re so excited to kick off the 2025/26 season! We’ve added 🌟3 talented athletes🌟 to our strong core of 8 returning CHAOS players. Let’s go! #chaosproud 🌪️💙@NEFLfastpitch @thealliancefp @PGFnetwork @PA_recruit @LineDsoftball pic.twitter.com/ZyQ8bzk5po

— PA Chaos National 2030 (@PAChaos2012) August 22, 2025

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SIGNING/COMMITMENT ALERTS

Reece Lindsay (2026, OF, Team NC-Hinde/Weddington High, NC, Charlotte)

Congratulations to 2026 OF @reece_lindsay18 on her commitment to further her academic and athletic journey with @CharlotteSB!

Let’s go Reece!! Hard work and consistency pays off! We’re looking forward to a competitive Fall season as you prepare for life as a 49er⛏️💚 #TeamNC pic.twitter.com/fhjnVq5heB

— Team North Carolina (Hinde) (@TeamNCHinde) August 22, 2025

Amy Cornelius (2026, OF/UT, OC Batbusters Legacy-Lara/El Dorado High, CA, Utah Valley)

So hyped and happy to share my verbal commitment at Utah Valley University!! Thank you UVU coaching staff for believing in me @coachCThomson, and Coach Brown!! Thank you Coach Clay @clay_lara20, @CoachArreola, and Kim @Lifesapitch13 for your constant support and guidance… pic.twitter.com/53imK7yjDi

— Amy Cornelius (@AmyCornelius26) August 21, 2025

Lauren Jimenez-Fulton (2026, MIF/UT, Arizona Rising/Casteel High, AZ, Pacific)

Committed!! So excited to continue my academic and athletic career at University of the Pacific!!🧡🖤 pic.twitter.com/AaPZMRyPHv

— Lauren Jimenez-Fulton (@LaurenJFulton) August 21, 2025

Amelia Johnson (2026, C/OF/3B, I-5 Softball-Snyder/Saugus High, CA, Nebraska-Omaha)

@coach_heard @Jen_Daro @brooke_dumont @OmahaSB @UNOmaha @I5Softball @horvatvideos pic.twitter.com/AE2lUYDQxF

— Amelia Johnson (@26AmeliaJohnson) August 21, 2025

Bayleigh Burks (2026, 2B/RF, Bombers WTX National-Devore/Canyon High, TX, North Central Texas College)

Congrats to WTX Bombers National -Devore player Bayleigh Burks and her family. Bayleigh has committed to play softball for North Central Texas College! #BlueBloods #collegecommit #bombernation pic.twitter.com/QPLeC0ICJ4

— Bombers Fastpitch (@bombers_fp) August 21, 2025

Alyson Johnson (2026, 1B/3B/OF, Athletics Mercado-Herrera/Summer Creek High, TX, Texas-Dallas)

I am SO blessed and excited to announce my verbal commitment to continue my academic and athletic career at The
University of Texas At Dallas!!!
This would not be possible without the love and support of my parents. I am so grateful to them for everything that got me to this… pic.twitter.com/k1VL2JEYyJ

— Alyson Johnson (@AlysonJohnson26) August 21, 2025

Marissa Sosa (2026, C/UT, STX Bombers Gold-PRK/Lockhart High, TX, Vernon College)

Excited to announce I have found my home for the next level! I will be a @vernoncollegesb Chap! @CoachLipscomb11 @CoachVillegasD @Coach_Maldy @LockhartLionsSB pic.twitter.com/DowOaffHeV

— Marissa Sosa (@MarissaSosa2026) August 21, 2025

Laila Henson (2026, MIF, Stars Fastpitch NJ-Scolaro/Immaculate Conception High, NJ, Felician)

Dreams to reality!! 💛🥎💚 Beyond grateful for my parents, coaches, and my trainer Danny who believed in me since day one. Excited to announce my commitment to continue my academic & athletic journey at Felician University! Let’s go Falcons!! pic.twitter.com/y1lLARHmnx

— Laila Henson 2026 (@lailash08) August 22, 2025

Rylee Gable (2027, RHP/1B, LV Phantoms/North Hampton Area High, PA, East Stroudsburg)

I am super excited to announce my verbal commitment to continue my academic and athletic career at ESU! Thank you to my family, coaches and teammates for all their support. Also I’d like to thank Coach Wohlbach and the entire ESU staff for giving me this amazing opportunity!🖤❤️ pic.twitter.com/ScC6DVSuNl

— Rylee Gable (@rylee_gable2027) August 20, 2025

Lexi Pope (2026, OF/UT, Fury Platinum 26/27-Johnson/Stewarts Creek High, TN, Trivecca Nazarene)

I’m am so BLESSED to be able to announce my verbal commitment to Trevecca Nazarene University to continue my athletic and academic career!@TNUsoftball @furyplatjohnson @redhawkssball pic.twitter.com/KhHkCPR6m6

— lexi pope (@lexipope_13) August 20, 2025

Bella Wrozek (2026, RHP/3B/B, Crown Softball/Lumen Christi Catholic High, MI, Adrian College)

Excited to announce my commitment to continue my academic and athletic career at Adrian College! #GDTBAB @AC_softball @CrownSoftball1 @Lumen_Softball pic.twitter.com/fUEpIkQ9fS

— Bella Wrozek (@bella_wrozek) August 22, 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 …

Brand new Kobe Bryant mural with Mookie Betts, Freddie Freeman & Shohei Ohtani

At 701 N Pacific Coast Hwy, Redondo Beach by gz.jr pic.twitter.com/yrI3uvNsaC

— Kobe & Gianna Bryant Murals (@kobemurals) August 21, 2025

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