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, May 16, 2025:

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THE FINAL PITCH: ALISHA MCMURTRY

Omaha-committed 2026 RHP Alisha McMurtry recently talked to Line Drive Media about Nebraska Gold National-Boyer, Nebraska players, getting stronger, Nebraska Gold National-Swift 15U, facing failure, athletic family, Nebraska-Omaha, sports industry, justice and law, Jennie Finch, “To Kill A Mockingbird,” Kanye West, “The Vampire Diaries,” “Remember The Titans” and knitting and crocheting.

THE FINAL PITCH Q&A

Name: Alisha McMurtry

Hometown: Bellevue, NE

High School: Bellevue East High

Club Team: Nebraska Gold National-Boyer 16U

Graduation Year: 2026

Height: 5-9

Position/s: RHP

Social Media: @alisha.mcmurtry on Instagram and @Alisha_McMurtry on Twitter

Honors: 1st Team LJS Super State, 1st Team Class A, two-time Emily Garcia Award, MHSAA Player of the Year, MHSAA All-Academic, three-time Varsity letter and MHSAA All-Metro Coaches Team.

High School Fall 2024 Stats: Hitting — .442 AVG, .701 SLG, 4 HRs, .579 OBP; Pitching — 18 wins, 151 IP, 288 Ks, 1.48 ERA.

Travel Ball Spring 2025 Stats: Hitting — .364 AVG, .795 SLG, 3 HRs, .556 OBP; Pitching — 5 wins, 65 IP, 131 Ks, 1.08 ERA.

Tell us about your travel team/organization and how you became involved with them? I first joined the Nebraska Gold organization when I was going into my first year of 12U. On my previous team, we faced them a lot and those games were always competitive. I knew what my goals for the future were and I knew I would have a better chance of accomplishing them by playing for Nebraska Gold, so I made the switch.

What makes players from the state of Nebraska special? Everybody that plays in the state has an intense pride for Nebraska. We are all very passionate about where we come from.

What was your highlight of the fall? What have you been focusing on this offseason? My highlight of the fall was definitely being able to host districts for the first time in school history, as well as winning that district and making state. My main focus of the offseason has been getting stronger. I’ve been lifting more, just to try and build up my strength and stamina for pitching.

Which player/team has been your toughest opponent and why? I’d say for travel ball the toughest opponent we’ve faced this year has been Nebraska Gold National-Swift 15U. Since we come from the same organization, the games are always super competitive, because each team wants to the beat the other. I enjoy playing in these types of games, because it normally gets rowdy and fun.

What have you faced/overcome in life that has made you the person you are today? During my freshman year of high school, I went into it thinking it was going to be easy. I hadn’t face a lot of failure at that point in my life and I really didn’t have to work outside of practice to be good at pitching. It wasn’t until the first game of high school that I realized I really needed to step up my game and work harder to become better. I realized I couldn’t get away with just pitching twice a week, I needed to be working every day to keep up and move towards my goal of playing college softball.

Do you have any family members/siblings that are athletes? Yes, I have two older sisters that played and still play softball. My oldest sister, Liana McMurtry, is finishing her senior year at Bellevue University where she played softball. And my other older sister, Bre McMurtry is wrapping up her sophomore year at Bellevue University where she also plays softball.

Why did you choose to commit to Nebraska-Omaha? The decision was very tough for me, honestly. I had great experiences on all of my visits, but UNO was truly the place I could see myself. It felt like home.

What areas are you interested in future occupations and why? I’m not 100 percent sure of what I want to do, but I know I want to remain active in the sports industry, more specifically as a coach. I think outside of that, I’ve taken an interest in becoming a part of the medical field. Again, I’m not 100 percent though.

What’s your favorite subject to study in school and why? I really enjoy my justice and law class that I’m in currently. We dive deep into the different aspects of criminal cases and studies. I think that topic is most interesting.

Who is your sports hero and why? My sports hero would have to be (Fastpitch legend) Jennie Finch. I grew up watching her videos and trying to pitch like her.

What’s your favorite book to read and why? I really like the book “To Kill a Mockingbird” (by Harper Lee). I first read it in 8th grade and just absolutely fell in love with it.

What’s the best hype song and why? I enjoy listening to Kanye West’s “God Is.” It kind of puts me at peace and gets me locked in and ready for my games.

What’s your favorite TV show to binge and why? My favorite TV show would probably be “The Vampire Diaries.” It’s such a bingeable show and I could literally watch it for hours.

What’s your favorite movie and why? My favorite movie is definitely “Remember the Titans.” I watched it for the first time with my dad and just absolutely fell in love with the characters and plot. I think it is interesting how they discuss the various societal problems they had at the time.

Do you have a secret talent/skill? I really enjoy knitting and crocheting! It helps me relax after a long day. I also enjoy reading a lot!

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NEWS & NOTES

***PGF TN Mojo’s Music City Invitational is May 16-18 at Columbia, TN. To follow the tournament online, CLICK HERE.

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SIGNING/COMMITMENT ALERTS

Hana Winton (2025, LHP/1B, Power Surge/Fallbrook High, CA, Cal State Fullerton)

Welcome to the Titan family, Hana ✍️#TusksUp pic.twitter.com/4cwI5HbiT9

— Titans Softball (@Fullerton_SB) November 13, 2024

Jenica Silvas (2025, MIF/3B/UT, OC Batbusters-Delgado/Twentynine Palms High, CA, Cal State Fullerton)

Welcome to Cal State Fullerton, Jenica ✍️#TusksUp pic.twitter.com/ZkbT9I5vM6

— Titans Softball (@Fullerton_SB) November 13, 2024

Micayla Turi (2025, C/IF, So Cal Athletics-Richardson/Capistrano Valley High, CA, Cal State Fullerton)

It's official, Micayla Turi is a TITAN ✍️#TusksUp pic.twitter.com/jABZjfyp2J

— Titans Softball (@Fullerton_SB) November 13, 2024

Isabella Lopez (2025, RHP, Firecrackers Brashear/Ganesha High, CA, Cal State Fullerton)

Joining the Titan family is Isabella Lopez ✍️#TusksUp pic.twitter.com/ve25R8Vt46

— Titans Softball (@Fullerton_SB) November 13, 2024

Joryn Chatman (2025, UT, USA Athletics Gold-Rogers/Roosevelt High, CA, Cal State Fullerton)

Joryn Chatman is officially a Titan ✍️#TusksUp pic.twitter.com/MLpR6B46h6

— Titans Softball (@Fullerton_SB) November 13, 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 …

Dina: no matter what happens, run and don't shoot
Ellie at every opportunity:#TheLastOfUs #TheLastOfUsSeason2 pic.twitter.com/pmNY7F9TbG

— Mell 🥴 (@semelsson) May 12, 2025

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