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.

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Here’s our TFP for Tuesday, Feb. 10, 2026:

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THE FINAL PITCH: IJEOMA “IJ” HARDAWAY

Uncommitted 2029 2B/OF Ijeoma “IJ” Hardaway, #22 in the 2029 Line Drive Hot 100, recently talked to Line Drive Media about California Grapettes-Cook, PGF Nationals, California players, tough competition, losing her father, athletic family, future college, college camps, healthcare, math, NiJaree Canady, “One of Us is Lying,” Drake, “Stranger Things,” “Spider-Man: No Way Home” and juggling.

THE FINAL PITCH Q&A

Name: Ijeoma “IJ” Hardaway

Hometown: Vallejo, CA

High School: American Canyon High

Club Team: California Grapettes-Cook 16U

Graduation Year: 2029

Height: 5-3

Position/s: 2B/OF

Nickname: My nickname is “IJ,” given to me by my mom. My full name is Ijeoma and Nigerian name that means “good journey” and most people with this name are given the nickname name “IJ.”

Social Media: @Ij_hardaway2029 on Instagram and @Ijhardaway2029 on Twitter

Honors: #22 in the 2029 Line Drive Hot 100, Presidential honors from 6th-9th grade with a GPA of 4.2 and Class rank of 2 out of 426

Travel Ball Summer 2025 Stats: .338 AVG, .500 OBP, .877 OPS, 29 RBIs, 86 runs, 54 SBs, .936 FPCT and 1 DP.

Travel Ball Fall 2025 Stats: .418 AVG, .558 OBP, 1.134 OPS, 1 HR, 6 RBIs, 43 runs, 23 SBs, .965 FPCT and 2 DPs.