For the last several years, the Lady Dukes travel ball programs has been one of the best on the East Coast and, behind the leadership of James Lamar, have finished high in several top national tournaments.

Unfortunately, Lamar suffered some health setbacks that precipitated another top club coach in the organization, Juan Torres, stepping in and taking reins of a combined 18U Lady Dukes team (his and Lamar’s).

This summer, the Lady Dukes will be one to watch as Coach Torres explains: “This team is built strong with depth at every position. Our lineup is deep with big-time hitters and our pitching staff is just as strong.”

The squad will also see the return of Duke commit Ava Bradshaw returning from injury and Torres says: “To me she is one of the best 2024 pitches along with East Carolina commit Ava Fisher and, to me, Georgia Tech commit Sydnie Watts, is the best 2025 pitcher out there.”

The coach continues: “We are excited to hit the field and see what we got. We’ve gotten closer as a team and are playing for the Lady Dukes organization but especially for Coach James.”

The Lady Dukes 18U team will be competing this summer at several of the premier club events nationwide including Scenic City, Colorado Sparkler Power Pool, Legacy Invitational and PGF Premier Nationals.

Here is a Q&A Line Drive Softball did this week with Coach Torres and also a scouting report on the team’s players including Coach Lamar’s daughters Layla and Jolyna Lamar, who are going to Florida and UCLA, respectively.

*** Follow the Lady Dukes – Lamar/Torres team on Twitter (X) at @DukesGoldTorres.

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Line Drive Softball: When did the team/program start and how/why did it come to be? 
Juan Torres: The team was formed this winter. Both the Lady Dukes Lamar and Lady Dukes Torres have participated in top events.

LDS: Where are you based?  
JT: Our players are coming from 10 different states.

LDS: What was the purpose of creating the team (showcase players, win titles, develop
skills, etc.)? 
JT: We put our top two 18U Lady Dukes teams to go out and win.  The team is all committed but one player, so the goal is to compete against the best, prepare for college and win.

LDS: What do you think are the strengths of the team?
JT: Depth at every position and a lot of versatility.

LDS: What is your primary focus or goal with this group of players? 
JT: Our focus is to play as a team and follow our motto of “ALL IN!”

LDS: Has there been a key moment or defining experience in the team and history?
JT: This team has a lot to play for. Our leader James Lamar and his family have had an uphill battle this past year and it woke many of us up.  We are here while others left so this season is for Coach James and for everyone that stayed with us.  ALL IN!

LDS: What have been some of your successes in terms of winning or placing at events this past year?
JT: All these players have played in the top events… some in the PGF Championship game, some part of the Triple Crown 2023 Championship team and some turned a lot of heads in Colorado and Atlanta Legacy Invitational where they finished Top 3.

LDS: What’s your softball background and how did you get to the point of leading the
team? 
JT: This is my fourth season with the Lady Dukes and Coach James and I always talked about putting out two teams together.

LDS: What makes the organization unique? 
JT: It’s family! Everyone that is wearing the Lady Dukes logo is family!

LDS: If there is one thing you would say that separates you from other club programs,
what would it be? 
JT: Again, we are a family!

Anything else interesting or fun that portrays your team as a top organization?
LDS: There are many top teams out there but you look at this roster and we are always in the mix, but we still have to go out and play. We can do something very special this year, but it takes players, coaches and families to be all in and embrace their roles.

Here is the Lady Dukes 18U – Lamar/Torres team lineup for this year:

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Scroll down to read the bios on each team member and where they are going to college