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 Wednesday, Nov. 5, 2025:
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THE FINAL PITCH: AALIYAH ZAMANO
Uncommitted 2029 SS Aaliyah Zamano recently talked to Line Drive Media about Athletics Mercado 2011-Tidd, PGF Nationals, California players, Georgia Impact-Cleghorn, raised by a single mom, Lauren Barrintos, future college, college camps, sports medicine, biology, Sis Bates, “The Summer I Turned Pretty,” “Headlines,” “Empire,” “White Chicks” and flute skills.
THE FINAL PITCH Q&A

Name: Aaliyah Zamano
Hometown: La Puente, CA
High School: Los Altos High
Club Team: Athletic Mercado 2011-Tidd 14U
Graduation Year: 2029
Height: 5-6
Position/s: SS
Nickname: “Lee” is my nickname. My family calls me Lee all around my friends and coach Sal just kept yelling “Lee” so it’s just stuck ever since.
Social Media: @dream_aaliyah on Instagram
Travel Ball Fall 2024 Stats: .504 AVG, 13 doubles, 5 triples, 8 HRs, 60 RBIs, 62 runs , .599 OBP, 27 BBs.
Travel Ball Summer 2025 Stats: .489 AVG, 31 doubles, 14 triples, 9 HRs, 70 RBIs, 98 runs, 29 BBs, .552 OBP.

Tell us about your travel team/organization and how you became involved with them? I started off with Coach Isaiah (Romero) on So Cal A’s, then transferred over with him to AM-Romero and now we’re AM-Tidd. So far AM has been a great organization and so many opportunities have opened up. Now, playing for coach (Brian) Tidd has been such an inspiration to know how big this journey is just going to get.
Tell us about your experience at PGF Nationals? We won the national championship undefeated. That was such an amazing experience!!
What makes players from the state of California special? Softball can be played all year long, we have more time for practices and games. We have elite travel ball organizations. We normally practice intensely, showcase in national tournaments and train at college-ready level.
Which player/team has been your toughest opponent and why? Georgia Impact(-Cleghorn). We’ve faced them in PGF National Championship, Kentucky and Colorado. They have good fielders and hitters, they’re just a great team overall and very well-coached.
What have you faced/overcome in life that has made you the person you are today? Being raised by a single mom, who has done everything for me to play at the highest level.

Do you have any family members/siblings that are athletes? Lauren Barrintos, cousin, plays softball on Firecrackers RTY-Medrano
What are you looking for in a future college? I plan to go to a D1 school to play softball (and) get a degree in sports medicine.
What college camps have you attended and are you planning to attend and why? I’ve only attended one college camp and that was Texas A&M, also looking forward to attend more camps.
What areas are you interested in future occupations and why? I would like to study sports medicine to become a softball trainer/coach in the future.
What’s your favorite subject to study in school and why? Biology because I get to dissect little pigs.
Who is your sports hero and why? My sports hero is Sis Bates (a three-time Softball America Defensive Player of the Year at Washington and AUSL professional). That’s why I wear number 22. I like her because they underestimated her just like they underestimate me. Just like her, I will overcome the challenges.
What’s your favorite book to read and why? My favorite book is the “The Summer I Turned Pretty” (by Jenny Han) because she has challenges in her life that I relate to.
What’s the best hype song and why? My favorite song right now is “Headlines” by Drake because it has lyrics that relate to my life.
What’s your favorite TV show to binge and why? “Empire” because the drama is very interesting.
What’s your favorite movie and why? My favorite movie is “White Chicks” because me and my pops (grandpa) love it.
Do you have a secret talent/skill? My hidden talent is being able to play the flute.
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NEWS & NOTES
***Scenic City Fall Top 25 is Nov. 7-9 on Dalton/Rocky Face, GA. To follow the tournament online, CLICK HERE.
Schedule is up for Bombers Exposure Weekend! pic.twitter.com/6lVgkAQFtT
***Bombers Exposure Weekend is Nov. 7-9 in College Station, TX. To follow the tournament online, CLICK HERE.
***Surf City Tourneys Las Vegas Jackpot is Nov. 7-9 in Las Vegas, NV. To follow the tournament online, CLICK HERE.
***HFL Fall Championship is Nov. 7-10 in Chesterfield, MO. To follow the tournament online, CLICK HERE.
***Alliance Super Cup Southwest Qualifier at Chino Hills/Lake Elsinore/Perris, CA. To follow the tournament online, CLICK HERE.
***Triple Crown Myrtle Beach Fall Road To The Rockies at Myrtle Beach, SC. To follow the tournament online, CLICK HERE.

***OC Batbusters-Stith/Arduino cruised to a 7-0 victory over Power Surge-Teage in the 12U Open final of the Triple Crown Monster Mash on Sunday at Kit Carson Park in Escondido, CA.
2032 P/1B Ella Iacenda (19 IP, 0.00 ERA, 6 wins, 19 Ks, 8 hits, 4 doubles), 2031 P Emma Fuentes (10.2 IP, 1.31 ERA, 10 Ks), 2031 SS Ellie Jezowski (8 hits, 1 HR, 9 runs, 8 RBIs), 2031 C Penny Bond (9 hits, 5 RBIs), 2031 2B/C Nive Pua (5 hits, 3 doubles, 8 runs, 4 SBs), 2031 OF Jessie Narike (6 runs, 4 SBs, 6 RBIs) and 2031 1B Maykayla Wyse (8 hits, 1 HR, 7 runs, 6 RBIs) were the leaders for OC Batbusters-Stith/Arduino.
OC Batbusters-Sith/Arduino defeated WC Gamers 2031-Black, 7-0, Firecrackers Brashear 2032-Moreno, 9-1, Breakers Labs-Griggs, 11-3, and Power Surge-Teague, 7-0, in bracket games.

***Firecrackers Brashear-Bauer defeated Power Surge-Mauga, 8-0, in the 14U Gold championship game on Sunday at Kit Carson Park in Escondido, CA.
2030 OF London Bauer (.538 AVG, 1.380 OPS, .769 SLG) was named tournament MVP for the Firecrackers.
2029 OF Lily Weber (.692 AVG, 1.42 OPS, .642 SLG), 2031 C/3B Nelly Pellerito 2031 (.583 AVG, 1.600 OPS, 1.000 SLG, 1 HR), 2029 P/1B Kayla Salazar (.538 AVG, 1.600 OPS, 1.077 SLG, 1 HR, 0.00 ERA) were some of the other leaders for the Firecrackers.
Firecrackers Brashear-Bauer beat Hustle 2011-Ruiz, 2-0, Cruisers Fastpitch-DeBerg, 8-3, So Cal Choppers-Bernardino/Spigner, 3-0, and Power Surge-Mauga, 8-0, in bracket games.
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SIGNED/COMMITMENT ALERTS
Danielle Rivas (2027, RHP/1B, Firecrackers Leles 2026/Mission College Prep, CA, San Diego)
So happy to announce my commitment to University of San Diego!💙🩵 pic.twitter.com/QucLYNkiGB
Kaitlyn Gambaccini (2026, C/UT, Rock Gold-Garvey/Sycamore High, OH, Drexel)
I can’t wait for the next four years in Philly. Go Dragons!! @DrexelSoftball @bkalman23 @CoachTim_Drexel @CoachAllieB @GoldGarvey @CoachJackieSB @LineDsoftball @sullyhitting #committed pic.twitter.com/zPamdPegEL
Laini Michaelis (2026, C/1B, Nebraska Gold National/Skutt Catholic High, NE, South Dakota)
Go Yotes!! #committed ❤️🤍@NebraskaGold @NEGold08s @SkuttSoftball @Coach_Piv @USDCoachWags @roger_that_26 @SDCoyotesSB @loyaltytraining pic.twitter.com/M3yCLoRTCW
Ava Simpson (2026, OF/UT, NE Stealth-Kramer/Westview High, NE, Wisconsin Lutheran College)
I’m excited to announce my commitment to play at the next level! Thank you to everyone who has helped get me to this point in my career. I’m grateful for @coachflegel for the opportunity to play softball for @WLCSoftball! GO WARRIORS💚⚔️🥎#Committed #WLC #WarriorsSoftball pic.twitter.com/d8Ds98i61H
Marley Garcia (2027, OF/UT, AR Prime/Bryant High, AR, Henderson State)
I’m so excited to announce I have verbally committed to Henderson State University! Thank you so much for making all my dreams come true! @JoelWorthington @danniiraee Now it’s time for me to get to work! I’m so excited for Fall 2027! @JayLupo81 @ar_prime_sb pic.twitter.com/RSYPXFrA2Y
Mia Duncan (2027, C, Fury Platinum-Morgan/Ponaganset High, RI, Regis College)
GO PRIDE 👑❤️💛@_RegisSoftball @FPNE18UCarpe @FPNE18URoumelis @FuryPlatinum pic.twitter.com/4yBp3qSpDi
Jazzy Wittman (2026, 1B, Ohio Outlaws-Hill/Fredericktown High, OH, Capital)
Next 4 💜🩶@CapUSoftball pic.twitter.com/Xncys2biRs
Kynnedy Lumpkins (2027, IF, Sumrall High, MS, Co-Lin Community College)
GO WOLFPACK🩵🐺 GOD IS SO GOOD!!🥹🥹@coachbeall07 @CoachMeleah @CoLinSoftball pic.twitter.com/05g8NgFMI1
Emma Clare Elmore (2027, 2B/UT, Southern Steal-Williams/St. Martin High, MS, Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College)
I’m beyond excited and truly blessed to announce my commitment to Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College. I’m so thankful for this amazing opportunity and for everyone who has supported and believed in me along the way. #PERKUP @IzzyWerdann @coach_duke22 @kailey_hil pic.twitter.com/jAI5DOCcWz
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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 …
Had to give the Miguel Rojas home run the proper treatment pic.twitter.com/gES4dvAORX
— Carlos Arias, Line Drive Media (Follow Carlos on Twitter @los_stuff)
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