Line Drive Softball is excited to announce the hiring of esteemed high school and club softball editor Carlos Arias to our team.

You’ve seen Carlos’s work on our site for the last few weeks and I’m happy to be reunited with him after working several stops including my very first job out of college, Student Sports.

As you’ll see by his biography below, Carlos has a wealth of experience not just in softball but in many, many other sports.

Currently for Line Drive Softball he’s producing an on-going column titles Final Pitch which runs every weekday. It includes all things club and high school softball as well as some news and notes off the field including some of his favorite music and happenings off the field.

I’ve included a copy of the Final Pitch series from this week so you can see how amazingly comprehensive his writings are!

— Brentt Eads/Line Drive Softball

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Carlos Arias bio

Carlos Arias is a well-known and highly respected national sportswriter, who has been covering high school sports, boxing and MMA since 1992.

Arias has worked at multiple media organizations including the Orange County Register, Student Sports, Rivals, ESPN and Extra Inning Softball, which was co-founded in 2018 by current Line Drive Softball Executive Editor Brentt Eads.

He has been on the softball beat for the last three decades and has been an expert in club and high softball for the past 20 years.

Among his many highly regarded accomplishments are ranking travel ball teams and producing the Inside Pitch series spotlighting top teams, players and coaches along with breaking the latest news in fastpitch softball.

Arias was born and raised in Orange County in Southern California and currently lives in Freno, California.

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Club News: The Final Pitch (April 15, 2024): Lone Star State Prospect Skye Perez, News, New Level & Sneaky Kisses

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, April 15, 2024:

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THE FINAL PITCH: SKYE PEREZ

Bucknell-bound 2024 SS/UT Skye Perez recently talked to Line Drive Media about Bombers Gold National 18U, Hyde Park High, going on a team mission to Peru, Legacy Christian High, overcoming her size, Bucknell, Pre-Med or Neuroscience, science, John Carpenter, the Bible, “Jimmy Cooks,” “The Vampire Diaries,” “Inception” and playing piano.

THE FINAL PITCH Q&A

Name: Skye Perez

Hometown: Corpus Christi, TX

High School: Hyde Park High

Club Team: Bombers Gold National 18U

Graduation Year: 2024

Height: 5-4

Position/s: SS/UTL

Social Media: @skyeperez99 on Twitter and @skye.perezz on Instagram

Honors: National Honor Society, 1st Team All-State (10th-12th), 1st Team All-District (9th-12th), 1st Team All-Academic (11th-12th), District MVP (11th), 1st Team All-Centex (10th-11th), 2nd Team All-State (9th), 2nd Team NCSAA All-American Hitter (11th) and KVUE Player of the Week (12th).

Travel Ball Summer 2023 Stats: .348 AVG, 4 HRs, 18 RBIs and 24 hits.

Travel Ball Fall 2023 Stats: .486 AVG, 18 hits, 2 HRs and 8 RBIs.

High School Spring 2024 Stats: .489 AVG, 46 hits, 11 HRs and 41 RBIs.

Tell us about your travel team/organization and how you became involved with them? I play for Texas Bombers Gold National 18U. Texas Bombers was my first travel team, which I joined in 10U. I left the organization for a couple years, but came back in my second year of 14U. I have been a part of the Bombers ever since!

Tell us about your high school team and how you are doing this season? My high school team has been so amazing. We have grown so much over the years. We started my freshman year with 10 players and did not win a single district game. Last year, we made it to the state championship game for the first time in school history and had a record of 43-3. We are on a good track this year to make it back to the state championship game and are currently 27-5! I have personally been having a great season. I have broken the all-time career home run record, hits record, RBI record and runs record for my school this year. I have also hit the mark of 200 hits, 200 RBIs and 200 runs scored. I am currently tied for the school record for home runs in a season with 11. My teammates and coaches have been very encouraging and I can’t wait for the rest of the year!

What has been the key to Hyde Park’s success the past few seasons? The key to Hyde Park’s success has been the chemistry and trust in our team. We are all so close and trust each other so much that it easily transfers over to the field. Coach Carp (John Carpenter) has created such an amazing team culture that allows us to grow on the field and also off of it.

Can you tell us about your team’s mission to Peru? The softball team went to Peru last year for a mission trip and also had the opportunity to play the Peruvian National Team. We were able to host softball camps for the local kids and show them how great softball can be. The language barrier did not cause any troubles and really showed me how you can connect with other people through the love of a sport. We were able to return this year and work with some of the same kids. It was so great to see how they remembered us and how much joy an hour of softball brought them. We were also able to help build a school building and bring much-needed supplies for the students. Everyone is so welcoming in Peru and really makes the trip special. I have created relationships with leaders and kids in Peru that will last a lifetime. I am truly grateful for these trips as a whole and they have impacted my life beyond measure.

Which player/team has been your toughest opponent and why? The toughest team we have encountered was Legacy Christian, who we played in the state championship last year. I feel we are both very similar, so it created a good matchup. The only difference was they won the year before, while we have never made it to state. Overall, I think it was an amazing game and we tried our best against a strong opponent.

What have you faced/overcome in life that has made you the person you are today? The biggest obstacle I have overcome in softball is my size. I grew up with a lot of coaches saying I couldn’t be a top player just because of my height. I was able to overcome those comments and not let my size dictate my success. It has made me a more confident player because I was able to prove that size doesn’t mean everything. I have also learned to persevere more and show that hard work is all that matters.

Why did you choose to commit to Bucknell? I committed to Bucknell University because I felt it was truly the right spot for me. I loved the balance between a high academic school and a strong athletic program. The culture of the team and coaches is truly amazing and I felt such positive energy from everyone I met. It truly felt like a home away from home, which was a big thing for me. The culture of the team also reminded me a lot about Hyde Park and that was exactly what I was looking for.

What areas are you interested in future occupations and why? I am interested in Pre-Med or Neuroscience. I have always been super interested in medical research and feel that is something I could do forever. I always wanted to make a difference, so I feel that would be possible in medical research.

What’s your favorite subject to study in school and why? My favorite subject to study in school is science because I have always loved all of the labs. Science has always come easier for me than other subjects and also interested me more.

Who is your sports hero and why? My sports hero is John Carpenter. I have known him since I was 9 years old and he has been a solid foundation in my life. He has taught me so many things that will stay with me forever and has made my love for the game grow so much. He has really impacted my life for the better and has made me a stronger and more confident human being. I am truly so grateful for him and could not thank him enough for everything.

What’s your favorite book to read and why? My favorite book to read is the Bible. Throughout my time with Hyde Park softball I have been able to grow closer with God. Coach Carp has been amazing with not only teaching us about the game, but also about God. Hyde Park has provided such a safe place to learn about God and be able to create a relationship with him. My faith is a big part of who I am as a person and as a softball player.

What’s the best hype song and why? The best hype song is “Jimmy Cooks” by Drake feat. 21 Savage. It just always gets my energy up.

What’s your favorite TV show to binge and why? “The Vampire Diaries” is my favorite show to binge. I find it funny and interesting, so it is always an easy watch.

What’s your favorite movie and why? “Inception” is my favorite movie to watch. I love this movie so much because there are so many ways to interpret it. I find it very interesting and I love the characters. I also love how it is one of those movies you have to think a lot about.

Do you have a secret talent/skill? I can play the piano pretty well.

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The PGF Georgia Oaks is April 20-21 in Dallas/Dalton/Rocky Face, GA. Follow the tournament online HERE.

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HSOTD

Today’s Hype Song of the day is …

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BTITW

Sneaky kisses.. 😂 pic.twitter.com/KN1OVhyVgq

— Buitengebieden (@buitengebieden) April 13, 2024

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