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 Tuesday, March 4, 2025:

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THE FINAL PITCH: MATAIA LAWSON

Texas-bound MIF/UT MaTaia Lawson, #6 in the 2025 Line Drive Hot 100, recently talked to Line Drive Media about Iowa Premier National-James/Dickel, PGF/Alliance Nationals, fall focus, toughest opponent, overcoming injury, athletic family, Texas, clothing designer, math and history, Alex Morgan, “The Hate You Give,” Chief Keef, “Black Panther” and tumbling.

THE FINAL PITCH Q&A

Name: MaTaia Lawson

Hometown: Tinley Park, IL

High School: Victor J Andrew High

Club Team: Iowa Premier National-James/Dickel 18U

Graduation Year: 2025

Height: 5-7

Position/s: MIF/UT

Nickname: “Taia.” Many people, who couldn’t say my name right or just to keep my name short.

Social media: @mataia_lawson on Instagram and Twitter

Honors: #6 in the 2025 Line Drive Hot 100

Travel Ball Summer 2024 Stats: .595 AVG

Travel Ball Fall 2024 Stats: .595 AVG

Tell us about your travel team/organization and how you became involved with them? IPF isn’t just a team, it’s a family. We have fun on and off the field no matter what, but when times come, we lock in. I got involved with IPF in 2021 because they were my team at the time.

Tell us about your experience at PGF/Alliance Nationals? In my time of playing softball, I’ve played both. I like Alliances better. I feel like the vibes are just better than PGF.

What was your highlight of the fall? What have you been focusing on this offseason? My highlight was really being able to see my teammates that I don’t see all the time. What I focus on is fixing the little things in my swing and glovework. Also, working out to stay strong.

Which player/team has been your toughest opponent and why? My hitting coach (Damon Gladney) always said my biggest opponent is myself because softball is a mental game.

What have you faced/overcome in life that has made you the person you are today? Something I faced was tearing my labrum in my shoulder in 2023. I played a whole year on it, then got surgery. This was something everyone thought I wasn’t going to come back from because I was out for about eight months.

Do you have any family members/siblings that are athletes? My dad, Matthew Lawson, played football and did wrestling in Juco, then had three surgeries, which made him do powerlifting and (he) was a national champion; my older sister, Zeja Shannon, did cheer and volleyball in college; my younger sister, Skylar Lawson, plays volleyball and softball; and lastly my little brother, Lucas Lawson, plays football, baseball and basketball.

Why did you choose to commit to Texas? I chose Texas because it was one of my dream schools. I’ve always loved Texas growing up and its community, then I always wanted to go somewhere hot. I don’t like the cold.

What areas are you interested in future occupations and why? I want to have my own clothing line because I love clothes and making my own would let me put my creativity somewhere I’m confident in.

What’s your favorite subject to study in school and why? My favorite subject is math and history. I love math, which I don’t know why it’s just something that keeps my head spinning. I love history because getting an understanding on our world before I or many people were here is cool.

Who is your sports hero and why? My sport here is Alex Morgan (a former Olympic gold medalist in soccer) because when I was going up, I played soccer and she was my inspiration.

What’s your favorite book to read and why? “The Hate You Give” (by Angie Thomas) is my favorite book because of the realism it has on life and black rights.

What’s the best hype song and why? “Kills” by Chief Keef because the beat and Chief Keef’s voice make you just want to dance.

What’s my favorite movie and why? My favorite movie is “Black Panther” both the first and second because of the community and how he presents himself.

Do I have a secret skill/talent? Yes, I can tumble. When I was younger, I was a cheerleader and still till this day I can tumble.

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NEWS & NOTES

***The PGF Super Select Southwest Championship is March 7-9 in Brenham/College Station, TX. To follow the tournament online, click here.

***Triple Crown March Mayhem is March 8-9 at Irvine/Chino Hills/Fountain Valley, CA. To follow the tournament online, click here.

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SIGNING/COMMITMENT ALERTS

Payton “PayDay” Kennedy (2025, RHP, Arizona Storm National-Mathis/Santa Margarita High, CA, Ole Miss)

From Cali to the Sip ✈️

Welcome to the Sip Payton!@payday_kennedy | #HottyToddy pic.twitter.com/UGTJ7MzRZR

— Ole Miss Softball (@OleMissSoftball) November 13, 2024

Sophie Donalson (2025, RHP/1B, Bombers HTX-Dees/Bellaire High, TX, Texas Lutheran)

I am beyond blessed and excited to announce my commitment to continue my academic and softball career at Texas Lutheran University. Thank you to God, my family, friends, and coaches for the strength and encouragement to pursue the sport that I love🩷 @TLUsoftball @BellaireSoftba2 pic.twitter.com/1LYhV4jJj3

— Sophie Donalson 2025 (@SDonalson2025) March 2, 2025

Ainsley Jones (2026, OF/C/UT, GA Poer 08 Gold-Rodgers/Pickens High, GA, Shorter)

So excited to announce my commit to Shorter University !
I can’t wait to see what these 4 years hold for me!💙💙💙#FlyHawks@SUHawksSoftball @kelseyshodgson pic.twitter.com/v5eNZIqNxa

— Ainsley Jones (@AinsleyJones02) February 27, 2025

Mackinzie Frederick (2026, C/3B, MS Bombers-Lawson/Saltillo High, MS, Jones College)

I would love to announce that I’ve verbally committed to Jones College!! Grateful for this opportunity and ready for the next chapter of ball!!❤️💛@JC_CoachTDEW @ParkerConrad73 @fiala19 pic.twitter.com/8Xxs6EGCvD

— Mackinzie Frederick (@MackinzieFrede1) February 27, 2025

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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 …

The final trailer for ‘DAREDEVIL BORN AGAIN’ has been released.

Premiering March 4 on Disney+ pic.twitter.com/aFxVNAa4N4

— DiscussingFilm (@DiscussingFilm) March 3, 2025

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