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, June 27, 2025:

*****

THE FINAL PITCH: TIFFANY VILLEGAS

Uncommitted 2027 MIF/OF Tiffany Villegas recently talked to Line Drive Media about Athletics Mercado-Hovermale/Tidd, PGF Nationals, her recent facial injury, helping her team to a 16U co-championship at Triple Crown Brashear Summer Invitational, California players, fine-tuning footwork, Daniella Boccanfuso, recovering from injury, athletic family, future college, college camps, CRNA or anesthesiologist, biology, Jonathan Villegas, “The Hunger Games,” Dutch Bros, “Smallville,” “Pitch Perfect” and piano, guitar, volleyball and basketball.

THE FINAL PITCH Q&A

Name: Tiffany Villegas

Hometown: San Dimas, CA

High School: San Dimas High

Club Team: Athletics Mercado-Hovermale/Tidd 16U

Graduation Year: 2027

Height: 5-5

Position/s: MIF/OF

Nickname: “Tiff,” just short for Tiffany.

Social Media: @tiffanyvillegas2027 on Instagram and @Tiff_villegas02 on Twitter

Honors: Scholar Athlete (4.5 GPA & 1420 SAT), 1st Team All-League (2025), San Dimas High Varsity Softball MVP (2025), San Dimas High Varsity Softball Golden Glove Award (2025), San Dimas High Varsity Softball Silver Slugger Award (2025), 1st Team All-League (2024), 2nd Team San Gabriel Valley (2024), San Dimas High Varsity Softball MVP (2024) and Oktoberfest Shoot Out 18U Tournament MVP (2024).

Travel Ball Summer 2024 Stats: .392 AVG, 1.161 OPS, .716 SLG and 29 hits.

Travel Ball Fall 2024 Stats: .500 AVG, 1.338 OPS, .833 SLG, 48 hits, 13 doubles, 5 HRs and .973 fielding percentage.

High School Spring 2025 Stats: .519 AVG, 1.562 OPS, 1.000 SLG, 42 hits, 13 doubles, 8 HRs and .952 fielding percentage.

Travel Ball Summer 2025 Stats (So Far): .600 AVG, 1.515 OPS, .950 SLG, 12 its, 4 doubles, 1 HR and 1.000 fielding percentage.

Tell us about your travel team/organization and how you became involved with them? I first joined Athletics Mercado-Hovermale in the fall of 2023. After playing against them numerous times while I was with my previous organization, they reached out to me to see if I would join their organization because they believed that I would be a good fit for their team. After one season with them, I was then placed on the Athletics Mercado-Hovermale/Tidd team. I feel that the immense talent on the team drives everyone to push themselves to the next level.

Tell us about your experience at PGF Nationals? It was a great experience filled with the top teams in the nation and we had an incredible run in a stacked bracket. We finished tied for 7th place and our first loss in bracket play was to the eventual champions, Athletics Mercado-Tidd (my current team).

Can you talk about the injury that recently happened to you when you had teeth knocked out and a broken nose from a crash in the outfield? It was during our first games back from high school season and we were playing Corona Angels-FTS. I was playing right field and a batter hit a shot in the right-center gap. I ran for the ball, dove and caught the ball, but unfortunately face-planted right into the fence. The impact knocked out five (of my) teeth and fractured my nose. I had multiple deep lacerations on my face that required stitches. I had never experienced an injury like that in my life and I was in shock and didn’t know what to think at first. After the initial shock and sadness about not being able to salvage my teeth, I realized that the injury could have been much worse and I’m very grateful for my fast recovery and that I’m still able to play the game that I love.

Can you talk about your first tournament back and helping your team win a co-championship at Triple Crown Brashear Summer Invitational? My first tournament back was only two weeks after my injury and I had been anticipating it throughout the week after finally receiving clearance to play from my doctor a few days prior. My parents and coaches didn’t know how I would perform and if the injury had affected me mentally, but I was excited and prepared to be back on the field. We played well as a team and I was grateful to be a contributing factor to our success. I was able to make an impact offensively every game and come through for my team in numerous clutch moments.

What makes players from the state of California special? I think players from California are special because of all the great organizations that are based in California. This allows us to face good competition almost every weekend and enables us to learn and grow from each other. The weather is also consistent throughout the year, so we can practice and play year-round.

What was your biggest focus in the offseason? My main focus in the offseason was fine-tuning my footwork defensively and being more disciplined at the plate. I also focused on staying in shape and getting strong in preparation for summer.

Which player/team has been your toughest opponent and why? It used to be (2027 P) Daniella Boccanfuso, but now we’re on the same team. She’s a great pitcher and one of the few that I’ve struggled against in the past.

What have you faced/overcome in life that has made you the person you are today? My recent injury was the hardest challenge that I’ve faced. Despite the physical aspect of recovering, it made me mentally stronger and it showed me how resilient I can be.

Do you have any family members/siblings that are athletes? Jayden Villegas, brother, soccer; Jonathan Villegas, dad, baseball/basketball; and Mary Ann Villegas, mom, volleyball.

What are you looking for in a future college? I want to attend a Division 1 university that allows me to major in nursing or pre-med while playing softball.

What college camps have you attended and are you planning to attend and why? I’ve attended Stanford, Oregon, Cal, U (of) Chicago and Columbia camps. I had planned to attend a recent Tennessee camp, but I had to cancel due to my injury. I plan to attend future camps, but I’m still deciding which schools.

What areas are you interested in future occupations and why? I either want to become a CRNA or anesthesiologist because the medical field intrigues me.

What’s your favorite subject to study in school and why? Biology is my favorite subject to study in school because I find it the most interesting and challenging.

Who is your sports hero and why? My sports hero is my dad (Jonathan Villegas) because he has taught me everything I know about softball and he has always supported me. He used to play baseball, so he taught me to play from a young age.

What’s your favorite book to read and why? I don’t have a favorite book in particular, but I love reading in general. Some of my favorite series include “The Hunger Games” (by Suzanne Collins), “The Inheritance Cycle” series (by Christopher Paolini) and “The Maze Runner” (by James Dashner).

What’s the best hype song and why? I don’t have a hype song before, but I get hyped drinking Dutch Bros.

What’s your favorite TV show to binge and why? My favorite TV show to binge is Smallville because Clark Kent (Tom Welling) is cute.

What’s your favorite movie and why? My favorite movie is “Pitch Perfect” because I love music, singing and I think it’s funny.

Do you have a secret talent/skill? I can play the piano and guitar. I also play volleyball and basketball.

*****

NEWS & NOTES

***USSSA Space Coast World Series is June 23-28 in Viera, FL. To follow the tournament online, CLICK HERE.

***Team NJ Summer Classic is June 25-26 in Jackson Township, NJ. To follow the tournament online, CLICK HERE.

***P5 Patriot Games is June 26-28 in Windsor, CO. To follow the tournament online, CLICK HERE.

****

SIGNING/COMMITMENT ALERTS

Catie Boggs (2025, IF, Team NC-Hinde/Wheelersburg High, OH, North Carolina)

GO HEELS!!!!!!🩵🐏@coachmegsmith @Maddie_Holub @c_lyon22 pic.twitter.com/Mi9gQcVSkt

— catie boggs (@CatieBoggs) October 9, 2023

Carly Compton (2025, RHP, Team NC-Hinde/Tennessee High, TN, North Carolina)

Officially coming home to Chapel Hill!!!🐏🩵🩵 @TeamNCHinde @coachmegsmith @c_lyon22 @coachkiwij @Maddie_Holub @UNCSoftball pic.twitter.com/6NCCx85cYx

— carly compton (@bigcountry2025) November 15, 2024

Kina Davis (2025, RHP, Team NC-Huss/South Brunswick High, NC, North Carolina)

𝑶𝒇𝒇𝒊𝒄𝒊𝒂𝒍🖊️

Welcome home, Kina! #GoHeels pic.twitter.com/LaOadwlq68

— Carolina Softball (@UNCSoftball) November 13, 2024

Sydney Horton (2025, IF/UT, West Forsyth High, NC, North Carolina)

Nicole Knox (2025, IF, Unity-Torres/Red Bank Catholic High, NJ, North Carolina)

IT’S OFFICIAL!! Go Heels🩵🐏 https://t.co/qBe9h115RT

— Nicole Knox 2025 (@NicoleKnox_2025) November 13, 2024

Jil Livengood (2025, P, LLG DPS-Corn/Wake Forest High, NC, North Carolina)

ITS OFFICIAL 🩵🩵🩵 https://t.co/1JcCTIsMax

— Jil Livengood 2025 (@JilLivengood) November 13, 2024

Addie McCullers (2025, IF, VA Glory National-Mertz/Woodgrave High, VA, North Carolina)

Dreams do come true… it’s official ✨ pic.twitter.com/EA5HQlimvO

— Addison McCullers (@AMcCullers30) November 14, 2024

Sahara Wilson (2025, OF, Team NC-Hinde/Raleigh Charter High, NC, North Carolina)

Officially official!! So excited to finally be home 🩵🐏 https://t.co/jQq88643O9

— Sahara Wilson 2025 (@saharaw_2025) November 14, 2024

****

HSOTD

Today’s Hype Song of the Day is …

****

BTITW

Today’s Best Thing In The World is …

No scripts currently exist for a potential Season 5 of ‘THE BEAR’ but Christopher Storer does a direction in mind if they decide to move forward.

The main cast also are contracted for a Season 5 if greenlit.

(Source: https://t.co/d3tSiDVvTP) pic.twitter.com/6kkG6D8hCc

— DiscussingFilm (@DiscussingFilm) June 26, 2025

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