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, May 26, 2025:

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THE FINAL PITCH: BLAKELY CALDWELL

Uncommitted 2027 1B/3N/RHP Blakely Caldwell, #30 in the 2027 Line Drive Hot 100, recently talked to Line Drive Media about Athletics Gold Tamborra-Hamilton, PGF Nationals, Georgia players, pitching a no-hitter for Walton High, Georgia Impact-O’Neal, overcoming second-degree burns, Cade and Grayson Caldwell, future, college, college camps, engineering, acting and sports medicine, literature, Sha’Carri Richardson, “The Summer I Turned Pretty,” Drake, ‘iCarly,” “Jumanji” and impersonating.

THE FINAL PITCH Q&A

Name: Blakely Caldwell

Hometown: Marietta, GA

High School: Walton High

Club Team: Athletics Gold Tamborra-Hamilton 16U

Graduation Year: 2027

Height: 5-9

Position/s: 1B/3B/RHP

Nickname: “Blakels.” One of my current teammate’s dad started calling me that when I came up to bat. I got a hit. It stuck and I guess it’s just easier to say when parents and my teammates are cheering.

Social Media: @CaldwellBlakely on Twitter

Honors: Walton High School Athlete of the Week (2024), Walton Rookie of the Year (2024), Walton Offensive Player of the Year (2024), 1st Team All-Region (2024), Walton Athlete of the Week (2025), Walton Defensive Player of the Year (2025), Cobb County Athlete of the Week (2025), 1st Team All-Region (2025) and 1st Team All-Cobb County (2025).

Travel Ball Summer 2024 Stats: Pitching — 15-5, 2.62 ERA, 84 Ks; Hitting — .358 AVG, .430 OBP, 8 doubles, 1 triple and 1 HR.

High School Fall 2024 Stats: .365 AVG, 7 doubles, 3 triples, 1 HR, .985 fielding percentage.

Travel Ball Spring 2025 Stats (So Far): 53 ABs, .509 AVG, .534 OBP, 1 double, 6 triples and 20 RBIs.

Tell us about your travel team/organization and how you became involved with them? I’ve been going to Stacy Tamborra’s Champions Fastpitch since I was 8 years old. A couple of years ago, while playing for the Titans, I faced my current team as a rival. I always admired them — not just for their skill, but for the camaraderie and energy they brought to the game. Their bond and talent made them a team I dreamed of joining.

When I finally got the opportunity to play with them, it was everything I had hoped for and more. That first tournament was unforgettable — I played my best, felt completely at home and knew I had found the perfect fit. Since then, I’ve been part of this incredible team, growing alongside amazing teammates, who push me to be better every day.

Tell us about your experience at PGF Nationals? It was my first time in California and it was like a whole new world out there. I had such a fun time with my teammates as it was a great bonding experience for all of us and we played really well!

What makes players from the state of Georgia special? The girls in Georgia are a very tough, competitive group of girls and in many cases, we have to fight really hard to beat them, which is what I love about playing them because they’re always a good source of competition!

What was your highlight of the fall? What have you been focusing on this offseason? My highlight of the fall was pitching a no-hitter for my Walton High team to make it to the Sweet 16 for the first time in over 15 years. This season, I’ve been working on becoming a better two-way player. I’ve been focused on weight training, spending a lot of time in the cage, velocity drill and hitting spots with all my pitches.

Which player/team has been your toughest opponent and why? Georgia Impact-O’Neal has been one of the toughest teams to beat. They have incredible players, and since I grew up playing with some of them, our matchups are always intense and competitive. Whenever we play, other teams come to watch, making it even more exciting. The energy and high-level competition make every game against them unforgettable.

What have you faced/overcome in life that has made you the person you are today? The hardest challenge I’ve ever had to overcome was sustaining second-degree burns on my legs, an experience that tested my resilience and determination in ways I never imagined. The severity of the burns required hospitalization and skin grafts, a painful and grueling process that forced me to push through discomfort and uncertainty. As someone deeply passionate about softball, being sidelined for over a month felt like an eternity. The frustration of watching from the sidelines, unable to participate in something I love, was just as difficult as the physical pain. When I finally stepped back onto the field, I wasn’t just playing softball again — I was proving to myself that I could endure, adapt and come back stronger. That experience shaped me into a person who refuses to let obstacles hold me back, someone who understands the power of resilience and hard work. Now, every challenge I face serves as a reminder that if I could overcome that, I can overcome anything.

Do you have any family members/siblings that are athletes? My dad played football at Ole Miss and both my brothers — Cade Caldwell and Grayson Caldwell — played baseball in college. Cade is currently playing in the independent leagues, chasing his dream to make the MLB!

What are you looking for in a future college? I want to be at a college that has a really supportive coaching staff and teammates that treat one another like family. A college where I wouldn’t get homesick because it feels like home!

What college camps have you attended and are you planning to attend and why? I’ve attended Clemson, South Carolina, Mercer, Georgia Southern and Kennesaw State camps. I’m planning on attending camps this summer at Mercer, Georgia Tech and Florida Atlantic University so that I can see their campuses and get to know the coaches better, plus I’m really impressed with their softball programs. I have several more on my list I’m trying to work in around our summer schedule

What areas are you interested in future occupations and why? I haven’t decided on a specific career path, yet, but I’m exploring different fields through electives at Walton to help me figure it out. I interested in engineering, acting and sports medicine.

What’s your favorite subject to study in school and why? Literature is my favorite subject because I really enjoy reading and writing stories. I also like increasing my vocabulary and seeing how language can be used to express different ideas and emotions.

Who is your sports hero and why? My sports hero is (former Olympian) Sha’Carri Richardson. She inspires me, not just because of her incredible speed on the track, but because of her resilience and authenticity. Despite facing personal struggles and public criticism, she’s never let that stop her from pursuing her goals.

What’s your favorite book to read and why? My favorite book that I read was definitely “The Summer I Turned Pretty” (by Jenny Han) because it was a very light-hearted, beachy book with very funny comedy in it as well!

What’s the best hype song and why? My favorite hype song is “9” by Drake because it puts me in a competitive mode. There’s a determined energy in the way Drake says the words in the song. It reminds me to stay locked in and bring that same intensity to the game.

What’s your favorite TV show to binge and why? My favorite series to binge is “iCarly” — it’s just so funny and light-hearted! No matter how many times I watch it, it always makes me laugh.

What’s your favorite movie and why? My favorite movie is “Jumanji” because it’s really funny and Kevin Hart, who’s my favorite actor, is hilarious in it. I also love how adventurous it is; there’s always something exciting going on.

Do you have a secret talent/skill? I’d say my secret talent is impersonating people’s actions and voices. I’m pretty good at picking up on the little things they do or how they talk and then copying it in a funny or accurate way.

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NEWS & NOTES

***PGF Super Select 12U Championship is May 30-June 1 at Columbia, TN. To follow the tournament online, CLICK HERE.

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SIGNING/COMMITMENT ALERTS

Aubrey Baker (2025, OF, Impact Gold Premier-Warrick/Castle High, IN, Middle Tennessee State)

I had a great day visiting the beautiful MTSU campus ending with a blessed opportunity!! Looking forward to being a part of the Raiders family 💙 #commited @Bbrentz7 @JBMTSUsoftball @GretchenMead27 @MT_Softball @fury_07 @Castle_Softball pic.twitter.com/yRomxJfCzA

— Aubrey Baker (@aubreybaker07) February 3, 2024

Lilly Bethune (2025, 1B, Impact Gold Premier-Warrick/West Limestone High, TN, Middle Tennessee State)

SIGNED ✍️

Welcome to the ‘Boro, Lilly Bethune! 👏#BLUEnited | ⚡️⬆️ pic.twitter.com/J2f46sarwH

— Middle Tennessee Softball (@MT_Softball) November 13, 2024

Braelyn Hall (2025, RHP, Impact Caymol/Eastside High, VA, Middle Tennessee State)

SIGNED ✍️

Welcome to the ‘Boro, Braelyn Hall! 👏#BLUEnited | ⚡️⬆️ pic.twitter.com/9VHJqsDeah

— Middle Tennessee Softball (@MT_Softball) November 13, 2024

Lucie McDonald (2025, MIF, Atlanta Vipers-Maldonado/Bartram Trail High, FL, Middle Tennessee State)

Signing day for @lucie_mcd32, so proud of you kiddo, we are so excited for your next chapter but extremely sad to know we only have a short time left with you on campus. You are a once in a lifetime player and human being. Keep being YOU. Congrats to you and your amazing family. pic.twitter.com/bCbBaqcCR4

— Bartram Trail High School Softball (@BTHS_SOFTBALL_) December 6, 2024

Adaeze Nwogbo (2025, SS/P, Jack City-Jacobs/Smyrna High, TN, Middle Tennessee State)

SIGNED ✍️

Welcome to the ‘Boro, Adaeze Nwogbo! 👏#BLUEnited | ⚡️⬆️ pic.twitter.com/Kb356k7zpM

— Middle Tennessee Softball (@MT_Softball) November 13, 2024

Mady Pint (2025, OF, Virginia Unity/Sarasota High, FL, Middle Tennessee State)

SIGNED ✍️

Welcome to the ‘Boro, @PintMady 👏#BLUEnited | ⚡️⬆️ pic.twitter.com/vYJc6XY2xm

— Middle Tennessee Softball (@MT_Softball) November 14, 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’s pregnant which means I’m gonna be a father. Which means I CANT DIE!!” Meanwhile I’m like… #TheLastOfUs pic.twitter.com/FbwYsuTzW9

— Laura (@laurafh16) May 26, 2025

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