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 Friday, Jan. 16, 2026:

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THE FINAL PITCH: IZIANAH CASTILLO

Uncommitted 2028 MIF Izianah Castillo recently talked to Line Drive Media about LTG Lions-Henderson/Buck, PGF Nationals, California players, Athletics Mercado-Tidd, failure, athletic family, future college, college camps, medical field or criminal justice, Amanda Buck, “The Last Lecture,” Drake, “The Vampire Diaries,” “Sinners” and freestyle rapping.

THE FINAL PITCH Q&A

Name: Izianah Castillo

Hometown: Sacramento, CA

High School: Elk Grove High

Club Team: LTG Lions-Henderson/Buck 16U

Graduation Year: 2028

Height: 5-6

Position/s: MIF

Nickname: “Izi” (eye-zee) my mom gave me my nickname because she wanted my nickname to be Izzy, so she was trying to come up with a name, so she can call me “Izzy,” but “Izi” was cuter due to the name Izianah.

Social Media: @izianah_castillo2028 on Instagram and @Izianahcastillo2028 on Twitter

Honors: Delta League co-champions (2025), 1st Team All-League (2025), led team with .425 AVG and .541 OBP (2025), Offensive Player of the Year (2025), OnDeck Softball invitee (2025), Colorado Sparkler 14U National Power Pool runner-up (2024), USA Softball HPP (2023), USA Softball All-American (2022), 17th at PGF 14U Premier Nationals (2023), PGF Organizational Challenge winners (2023) and 7th at PGF 12U Premier Nationals (2022).

High School Spring 2025 Stats: .425 AVG, .541 OBP, 2 HRs and .850 FPCT.

Travel Ball Summer 2025 Stats: .263 AVG, .383 OBP and .890 FPCT (coming out of a great season for high school ball, I faced my first batting slump that summer. I’ve been working and I know I’m going to come back this summer stronger and ready to go)

Travel Ball Fall 2025 Stats: .190 AVG, .378 OBP and .840 FPCT (Same thing with working hard, everybody has their highs and lows and I was unfortunately still in my lows, but once again this game is a game of failure, so I’m still grinding and can’t wait for this upcoming season)