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 2, 2025:

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THE FINAL PITCH: AVERIE MCDONALD

Uncommitted 2032 RHP/UT Averie McDonald recently talked to Line Drive Media about Firecrackers Brashear 2K14-Falls, Alliance Nationals, Nevada players, diving plays and clutch hits, Athletics Mercado and OC Batbusters, playing up, Heather Bowen, future college, college camps, business, math, Heather Bowen, “The Boxcar Children,” “Hannah Montana,” “She’s The Man” and filmmaking.

THE FINAL PITCH Q&A

Name: Averie McDonald

Hometown: Las Vegas, NV

Elementary School/Future Middle School/Future High School: Homeschooled

Club Team: Firecrackers Brashear 2K14-Falls 10U

Graduation Year: 2032

Height: 5-7

Position/s: RHP/UT

Nickname: My nickname is “A-MAC.” A previous coach I had gave me that name because there were two Averie’s on the team.

Travel Ball Summer 2024 Stats: .428 AVG, .492 OBP, .992 OPS, 1 HR, 19 SBs.

Travel Ball Fall 2024 Stats: .447 AVG, .552 OBP, 1.062 OPS, 14 SBs.

Travel Ball Spring 2025 Stats: .529 AVG, .579 OBP, 1.461 OPS, 3 HRs, 17 SBs.

Tell us about your travel team/organization and how you became involved with them? I started playing with my Firecracker team in (the) summer of 2024. I really enjoy playing with this great group of girls!

Tell us about your experience at Alliance Nationals? I haven’t been to an Alliance national, yet, but I’ll be there this summer.

What makes players from the state of Nevada special? We have to work extra hard to be noticed among players from other states where softball is more competitive.

What was your highlight of the fall? What have you been focusing on this offseason? Some highlights were my diving plays in the outfield and getting hits when we needed them. During (the) offseason, I like to take a break. I try to do my drills and I like to do Sandlot Sunday at the field with all my friends, who play softball. We compete while keeping it fun.

Which player/team has been your toughest opponent and why? A pitcher from Athletics Mercado and Batbusters have been my toughest opponents because they pitch really fast and challenge me at the plate.

What have you faced/overcome in life that has made you the person you are today? I’ve mostly always played at a higher level and been challenged and have dealt with being overlooked compared to the older girls. It’s taught me to work hard, prove myself and earn my spot! God keeps giving me awesome opportunities, so I gotta keep working.

Do you have any family members/siblings that are athletes? Heather Bowen, aunt. She played softball for the University of Utah. She is a well-known player here in Las Vegas.

What are you looking for in a future college? I want to go to a top-ranked school. I want skilled and kind teammates and an experienced coach. I would love to go somewhere with cooler weather, too.

What college camps have you attended and are you planning to attend and why? I haven’t been to any college camps, yet, but I would love to have that experience.

What areas are you interested in future occupations and why? I want to have my own business so I can work for myself. If my business goes down, I would love to be an umpire.

What’s your favorite subject to study in school and why? Math is my favorite subject because it’s the subject that I understand the most.

Who is your sports hero and why? My aunt (Heather Bowen) because she was a really good player and won a lot of awards and she’s taught me a lot. She always sees something I can do better and helps me.

What’s your favorite book to read and why? “The Boxcar Children” (by Gertrude Chandler Warren) because it has mysteries.

What’s the best hype song and why? “APT.” (by Rose & Bruno Mars) because it’s so upbeat.

What’s your favorite TV show to binge and why? My favorite show to binge watch is “Hannah Montana” because I like how she’s two different people. Plus, Emily Osment is one of my favorite actresses.

What’s your favorite movie and why? “She’s the Man” because it’s funny and Amanda Bynes is my top favorite actress.

Do you have a secret talent/skill? A skill I have is making movies on iMovie and knowing all the lyrics to so many songs.

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NEWS & NOTES

***PGF Super Select Midwest Championship is May 2-4 in North Ridgeville, OH. To follow the tournament online, CLICK HERE.

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SIGNING/COMMITMENT ALERTS

Madilyn Byrd (2025, P, Birmingham Thunderbolts Premier/Baldwin County High, AL, Florida Atlantic)

I am beyond excited to compete at the next level with this amazing team!! Go OWLS!! ❤️💙🦉 https://t.co/5Ok0qIXQda

— Madilyn Byrd (@byrd_madilyn) November 13, 2024

Ashlynn Durkin (2025, P, Sparks Premier-Tholl/Downer Groves High, IL, Florida Atlantic)

Owl in for playing in Paradise 🌴 🌊

✍️ @AshlynnDurkin
📍 Downers Grove, Ill.
🥎 RHP

"Commanding presence and elite spin" - Head Coach Jordan Clark#WinningInParadise | #NSD2024 pic.twitter.com/EgaMkSFRM4

— Florida Atlantic Softball (@FAUSoftball) November 13, 2024

Ava Difato (2-25, UT, Rock Gold-de Leon/Manetta/West Broward High, FL, Florida Atlantic)

Next Four🦉💙❤️ #WinningInParadise @CoachJordanSB @tsmartt14 @newmz4 @FAUSoftball @RockGold_deLeon @Coach_Luis1721 @katedeleon07 pic.twitter.com/9Zqd99QP1k

— Ava Difato (@AvaDifato2025) October 27, 2023

Sara Harris (2025, IF, Athletics Tamborra Gold/Denmark High, GA, Florida Atlantic)

SO EXCITED🩵❤️💙 https://t.co/cOOaQJVDUU

— Sara Harris (@saraeharris21) November 13, 2024

Makenna Lee (2025, P, LLG DPS-Corn/Palmetto High, FL, Florida Atlantic)

can’t wait for paradise❤️💙❤️💙 https://t.co/PxH9lrY0US

— Makenna Lee (@Makennaa_Lee) November 13, 2024

Lily Lowery (2025, IF, AL Sparks-Stewart/Athens High, AL, Florida Atlantic)

So grateful for this opportunity!! Go owlsssss https://t.co/tP07RiTdRz

— Lily Lowery (@lily_lowery10) November 19, 2024

Natalia Solórzano (2025, 1B, Rock Gold-de Leon/Manetta/West Broward High, FL, Florida Atlantic)

#WinningInParadise ❤️💙🦉👌🏽@FAUSoftball @CoachJordanSB @tsmartt14 @newmz4 @Coach_Luis1721 @katedeleon07 @Jrmich73 @RockGold_deLeon pic.twitter.com/XV6tjBPJ1q

— Natalia Solorzano (@natsolorzano13) October 29, 2023

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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 …

You ready for this? 🚇

A new episode of #TheLastOfUs premieres Sunday at 9PM on @StreamOnMax. pic.twitter.com/RntEvjJO3Q

— The Last of Us (@TheLastofUsHBO) May 2, 2025

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