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, July 11, 2025:

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THE FINAL PITCH: BAYLEIGH TAYLOR

Uncommitted 2027 SS/UT Bayleigh Taylor recently talked to Line Drive Media about Hotshots National-Galloway, PGF Nationals, helping her team to the 16U National Power Pool co-championship at the recent Triple Crown Colorado 4th of July, Texas players, focused on strength, 2027 MIF/3B Kynlee Arichega of Impact Gold-Vaughan/Jazz) and Georgia Impact-Taylor, joining the Hotshots organization, athletic family, future college, college camps, coaching, English, Tori Vidales, Kanye West, ESPN+ and “The Sandlot.”

THE FINAL PITCH Q&A

Name: Bayleigh Taylor

Hometown: Liberty, TX

High School: Liberty High

Club Team: Hotshots National-Galloway 16U

Graduation Year: 2027

Height: 5-7

Position/s: SS/UT

Nickname: “Brownie” for my love of the cosmic brownie.

Social Media: @BayleighTaylor4 on Twitter and ​​@bayleightay4 on Instagram

Honors: Two-time District Offensive MVP, two-time 1st All-State by Texas Sportswriters Association, two-time 1st Team Texas Girls Coaches Association and two-time Super Elite by Texas High School Coaches Association.

Travel Ball Summer 2024 Stats:​ .531​ AVG, .608 OBP, 10 HRs and 45 RBIs.​

Travel Ball Fall 2024 Stats:​ .500​ AVG, .542 OBP, 6 HRs and 38 RBIs.

High School Spring 2025 Stats: .458 AVG, .546 OBP, 7 HRs and 51 RBIs.

Travel Ball Summer 2025 Stats (So Far): .444 AVG, .524 OBP, 4 HRs and 36 RBIs.

Tell us about your experience at PGF Nationals? ​In my three trips to the PGF Tournament, my team has finished in the Top 10 all three times with our best finish coming in 2023 when we finished 3rd. My experience has been nothing short of amazing playing in the biggest tournament in the country.

​​​Can you talk about helping your team win a 16U co-championship at the recent Triple Crown Colorado 4th of July? I actually started the tournament slow, but got hot once the bracket started, hitting three separate three-run homers, batted .526 with 14 RBIs. I finished the tournament batting .484 with a .579 OBP. My team was incredible. We played some of our best softball of the summer and got contributions from everyone. It was awesome!

What makes players from the state of Texas special? ​I just think the State of Texas is loaded with talent and we bring out the best (out of) each other. We don’t have to go far to play really good competition. We have several of the top organizations in the country right here in Texas with really good coaches.

What was your biggest focus in the offseason? I focused a lot on my overall strength, knowing that you can never be too strong.

Which player/team has been your toughest opponent and why? The toughest/best player that I have played against is Kynlee Arechiga of Impact Gold Vaughn/Jazz. Kynlee plays the game the way it should be played. She is a solid defender and one of the toughest outs in the game. The toughest team I have played against was Georgia Impact-Taylor. Although we won, 6-5, their lineup is ridiculously loaded with Power 4 players.

What have you faced/overcome in life that has made you the person you are today? ​Moving to the Hotshots organization about four years ago has proven to be the best decision for me as a player. They have helped mold me into the player that I am today. They have pushed me to be the very best as a player as person and as a teammate.

Do you have any family members/siblings that are athletes? ​Brookelyn Taylor, sister, will be a freshman pitcher at McNeese State University; Brody Taylor, brother, plays football/track as an 8th-grader at Liberty Middle School; and Blaire Taylor, sister, plays volleyball and basketball as a 7th-grader at Liberty Middle School.

What are you looking for in a future college? ​I am looking for the very best fit for me, a place that feels like home and a coaching staff that can bring the best out of me as player, but more importantly as a person.

What college camps have you attended and are you planning to attend and why? I have attended camps at Texas A&M, LSU, FSU, Oklahoma and McNeese State. I am undecided on future camps, but I do plan on attending a couple of camps before September 1.

What areas are you interested in future occupations and why? ​My dad is a high school football coach and I have grown up around the fieldhouse and watching him coach. I would like to follow in his footsteps and become a softball coach, hopefully at the college level.

What’s your favorite subject to study in school and why? I don’t necessarily have a favorite subject, but my best subject in school has been English where I had a 99 average for the school year.

Who is your sports hero and why? ​My first sports hero as a kid and I still admire today is Tori Vidales. (Vidales) attended LaPorte High School where my dad once coached her brother, Josh. As a kid, we used to go watch her a lot while she played at Texas A&M and even had some hitting lessons with her. I love to see her excel (as an) SEC commentator and softball commentator in general.

What’s the best hype song and why? “​Power” by Kanye West, not sure why other than I get jacked up.

What’s your favorite TV show to binge and why? ​I really don’t have a favorite show, but I did like having ESPN+ and being able to get on at anytime and watch college softball, didn’t matter what level it was. I enjoy watching the sport I love.

What’s your favorite movie and why? I enjoy watching “The Sandlot.” It really shows the experience of a friendly childhood when it comes to sports.

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NEWS & NOTES

***USA Softball GOLD Nationals are July 9-15 in OKC. To follow the tournament online, CLICK HERE.

***Atlanta Legacy Showcase Invitational is July 10-13 in Atlanta, GA. To follow the tournament online, CLICK HERE.

***Triple Crown Southwest Summer Nationals is July 10-13 in Round Rock/Georgetown/Taylor/College Station, TX. To follow the tournament online, CLICK HERE.

***Easton Invite is July 10-13 in Orland Park, IL. (To follow the tournament online, CLICK HERE.

***Wilson Fastpitch Championships is July 12-13 in Chino Hills/Lake Elsinore, CA. To follow the tournament online, CLICK HERE.

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SIGNING/COMMITMENT ALERTS

Zayda Rocke (2025, C/1B/3B, Unity-Torres/Caravel Academy High, MD, Maryland)

𝐒𝐢𝐠𝐧𝐞𝐝 ✍️

We are thrilled to announce the first new addition to our Terp family…let’s welcome Zayda Rocke to College Park! 🐢#FearTheTurtle pic.twitter.com/hFcGwDtCD9

— Maryland Softball (@TerpsSoftball) November 14, 2024

Kate Stephens (2025, MIF, Firecrackers-Wallace/Stoney Creek High, MI, Maryland)

𝐒𝐢𝐠𝐧𝐞𝐝 ✍️

We are thrilled to announce our second new addition to our Terp family…let’s welcome Kate Stephens to College Park! 🐢#FearTheTurtle pic.twitter.com/uS3YkZm42M

— Maryland Softball (@TerpsSoftball) November 14, 2024

Elisea Wiegand (2025, P/1B, Lady Magic-Walling/Foothill High,CA, Maryland)

𝐒𝐢𝐠𝐧𝐞𝐝 ✍️

We are thrilled to announce our final addition to our Terp family…all the way from California let’s welcome Elisea Wiegand to College Park! 🐢#FearTheTurtle pic.twitter.com/f5qX9cVvrZ

— Maryland Softball (@TerpsSoftball) November 14, 2024

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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 …

‘SUPERMAN’ has already grossed $40.3M from previews only globally.

• That does not include 21 international markets where the movie opens today

• On track to surpass the $200M projections for its global opening weekend

(Via: Deadline) pic.twitter.com/FM6z9rQHUq

— The Hollywood Handle (@HollywoodHandle) July 11, 2025

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