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, July 14, 2025:

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THE FINAL PITCH: STAR GUTIERREZ

Uncommitted 2028 CF Star Gutierrez recently talked to Line Drive Media about Warrior Academy-McDonald, Alliance Nationals, helping her team win the recent 14U Top Club Nationals, California players, hitting, Corona Angels, switch-hitting, athletic parents, future college, college camps, medical field, math, Megan Grant, “Girl In Pieces,” SOB x RBE “Bridgerton,” “The Little Rascals” and state-naming skills.

THE FINAL PITCH Q&A

Name: Star Gutierrez

Hometown: San Bruno, CA

High School: Capuchino High

Club Team: Warrior Academy-McDonald 14U/16U/18U

Graduation Year: 2028

Height: 5-7

Position/s: CF

Nickname: “Popstar,” my Coach Ray (McDonald) gave me this nickname after the Drake song.

Social Media: @star.gutierrez.2028 on Instagram and @star_gutierrez_2028 on Twitter

Honors: Freshman of the Year and 1st Team All-League.

Travel Ball Summer 2024 Stats: .378 AVG, .435 OBP and 1.022 OPS.

Travel Ball Fall 2024 Stats: .474 AVG, .474 OBP and 1.316 OPS.

High School Spring 2025 Stats: .438 AVG, .529 OBP and 1.367 OPS.

Travel Ball Summer 2025 Stats (So Far): .388 AVG, .474 OBP and 1.066 OPS.

Tell us about your travel team/organization and how you became involved with them? When I was 10 (years old), I attended a tryout my dad picked for me and was instantly in love with the hustle they showed. The Warriors are the only travel team I’ve tried out for and will stay with until my time for college comes.

Tell us about your experience at Alliance Nationals? I got to see a lot of good teams and was able to showcase my talent in front of college coaches. The team chemistry we had was amazing. If someone was down, we would pick each other up, which is exactly what a team is for.

Can you talk about helping your team win the recent 14U title at Top Club Nationals? My main goal was to be a leader for my team and make sure we stay with our high energy. Talking on the field and in the dugout changes the energy of the game so much.

What makes players from the state of California special? Being able to play with a diverse group of teammates. The amount of talent you see makes you want to succeed even more. The girls around me are so hardworking and very admirable.

What was your biggest focus in the offseason? Hitting was my main focus for the offseason. There is always a way to be better or stronger in whatever category of softball skills, but hitting is the toughest in my opinion. Pitching is improving so quickly and I want to be the one to say I did my job at the plate.

Which player/team has been your toughest opponent and why? There are so many teams that are filled with talent that provide an exciting game to play against, but to my team — Warrior Academy — everyone is just an “enemy.” The name of the team or who’s on it doesn’t affect how we see them. It’s all just a game that we desire to win.

What have you faced/overcome in life that has made you the person you are today? Switching from hitting right-handed to left-handed. I switched the side I hit from almost two years ago and there were many opinions being thrown at me. I had full support from my Coach Ray (McDonald), but some teammates or others involved in my softball life disagreed. This created uncertainty of my ability to succeed (in) my goal. This taught me that most of the time a goal is only unachievable because of your own choice and I chose to keep going.

Do you have any family members/siblings that are athletes? Adrian Gutierrez, dad, baseball; and Mylene Gutierrez, mom, gymnastics.

What are you looking for in a future college? A college that can support my academics, has healthy teammates and the resources to help me improve in my softball skill and knowledge. There are so many places I would be ecstatic to attend, but I really want that feeling of assurance that the college will bring out the best version of myself.

What college camps have you attended and are you planning to attend and why? I’ve attended UCLA, ASU, University of Arizona and Stanford. I have no specific college I plan to visit, but I’m open to anything. I’m interested in colleges far and close as long as it doesn’t get too cold during softball season.

What areas are you interested in future occupations and why? The medical field has been an interest of mine because I can help others, making it feel not just like a job but also a purpose.

What’s your favorite subject to study in school and why? I enjoy math because I love the challenge and the feeling of understanding something difficult.

Who is your sports hero and why? I look up to Megan Grant (a 2nd Team NFCA All-American for UCLA and Team USA) because she was always a role model in my organization.

What’s your favorite book to read and why? “Girl In Pieces” (by Kathleen Glasgow) because the detail seems so real and hard.

What’s the best hype song and why? “Anti” by SOB x RBE because I feel like everyone knows it and the beat is sick.

What’s your favorite TV show to binge and why? I love watching “Bridgerton” because the drama is very interesting.

What’s your favorite movie and why? “The Little Rascals” is my favorite because I’ve watched it since I was young and it’s adorable.

Do you have a secret talent/skill? I can name all 50 states.

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NEWS & NOTES

***Triple Crown Nationals are July 14-17 in Chesterfield, MO. To follow the tournament online, CLICK HERE.

***AFCS Nationals are July 15-21 in Kokomo, IN. To follow the tournament online, CLICK HERE.

***Triple Crown Southeast Summer Nationals are July 17-20 in Alpharetta/Cumming, GA. To follow the tournament online, CLICK HERE.

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SIGNING/COMMITMENT ALERTS

https://t.co/SrIUJaySWm
Softball FANS! Help us welcomd the newest Rainbow Wahine into the #HawaiiSB ‘Ohana - Maryn Macneil (Roseville, Calif.), and Briana Maio-Silva & Bailey Nagasako of Maui!#GoBows

— Hawaii Softball (@HawaiiSB) November 16, 2024

Maryn Mcneil (2025, RHP/1B, Woodcreek High, CA, Hawaii)

Briana Maio-Silva (2025, MIF/OF, Baldwin High, HI, Hawaii)

Bailey Nagasako (2025, C/1B/3B, Baldwin High, HI, Hawaii)

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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 …

Pedro Pascal has shared artwork celebrating ‘FANTASTIC FOUR’ and ‘SUPERMAN’ releasing in the same month

“#SuperFantastic”

(🎨: @JustRalphyyy) pic.twitter.com/51AeuJzrvz

— DiscussingFilm (@DiscussingFilm) July 13, 2025

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