Uncommitted 2026 RHP MalayaMajam-Finch, to day's standout spotlight athlete from Orange County, CA. Photo by Carlos Rivera.

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Here’s our TFP for Wednesday, Sept. 13, 2023:

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THE FINAL PITCH: MALAYA MAJAM-FINCH

Uncommitted 2026 RHP Malaya Majam-Finch recently talked to Dugout Chatter about Corona Angels-Tyson, Fullerton Union High, Alliance Nationals, tips from aunt Jennie Finch, challenges, being compared to aunt Jennie Finch, future college, staying involved with softball, English, Megan Faraimo, “The Inner Game of Tennis,” Eminem, “Seinfeld,” “Remember the Titans” and kitchen skills.

THE FINAL PITCH Q&A

Malaya Majam-Finch of Corona Angels-Tyson. Photo by Jackie Driskill.

Name: Malaya Majam-Finch

Hometown: Fullerton, CA

High School: Fullerton Union High

Club Team: Corona Angels 18U-Tyson

Graduation Year: 2026

Height: 5-foot-11

Position: RHP

Nickname: One of my nicknames is “Finch Fries.” I got my nickname when I was 7 years old from my teammates, when I still played rec ball at Fullerton Hills.

Twitter/Instagram: @malaya11_/@malaya11.official

Honors: Principal’s Honor Roll (4.0 GPA); MVP and PGF champion (2019); USA Softball All-American Games 12U champion (2021); High school MVP (2023); Scholar Athlete (2023); 1st Team All-League (2023); Division 4 All-CIF (2023); CIF Division 4 finalist (2023); Division 3 state regional champion (2023); 2nd Team All-State (2023); 2nd Team All-County (2023); top 5 14U Alliance Nationals Tier 1 (2023); and Alliance Fastpitch All-Tournament (2023).

Travel Ball Summer Stats: Pitching — 2.10 ERA, 1.02 WHIP, 96 IP, 402 BF, 85 hits, 29 earned runs, 86 Ks, .223 batting average against.

High School Stats: Pitching — 0.83 ERA, 0.646 WHIP, 151 IP, BF – 606 BF, 83 hits, 18 earned runs, 168 Ks, .144 batting average against; Hitting — .410 AVG, 3 HRs, 17 RBIs.

Tell us about your travel team/organization and how you became involved with them? When we were looking to transition from rec ball to travel, we went to go watch the PGF Nationals and were impressed with the Angels organization. That fall I tried out for Lydell McCullough’s 10U team.

Malaya Majam-Finch of Fullerton Union High. Photo by Carlos Rivera.

Tell us about your high school team and how you did? My high school team worked very hard and we continued to have a fighting spirit throughout the year. We ended up being in the CIF Final for Division 4 and we won the State Final in Division 3.

Can you tell us about your experience at Alliance Nationals this past summer? My team had a great run this year and we ended 5th in the country for 14U. We faced teams in the tournament that had been tough during the season, but we took the challenge head on and came out with big team and personal wins.

You are related to softball royalty. Your aunt is Jennie Finch. Has she ever given you some advice/tips that have stuck with you? Before PGF in 2019, she talked to my team and told us that “pressure is a privilege” and that we should embrace the nerves that we might be feeling. That has been one thing to really stick with me and a lot of my teammates.

Malaya Majam-Finch of Corona Angels-Tyson. Photo by Jackie Driskill.

Which player/team has been your toughest opponent and why? Every team has their own approach and game plan depending on their roster, so being able to identify a team’s advantages is a challenge in itself.

What have you faced/overcome in life that has made you the person you are today? From a young age, I’ve always been compared to my aunt, Jennie Finch. Although it is a great compliment, there is also a lot of additional pressure that goes with it and learning how to use the pressure and overcome it has been a struggle that I’m proud to have worked through and understood that I put in the work that gets me places.

Malaya Majam-Finch of Corona Angels-Tyson. Photo courtesy of Malaya Majam-Finch.

What are you looking for in a future college? I’m excited to attend a college with a family-like community and supportive teammates that push me to be the best I can be.

What areas are you interested in future occupations and why? Softball has been my life for forever so continuing a future with something in sports would be a dream come true.

What’s your favorite subject to study in school and why? I love English because I enjoy reading different works and understanding the possible views and interpretations.

Who is your sports hero and why? I would say that Megan Faraimo is my sports hero because going through the Angels organization I know the hard work she has put in. I am inspired by her passion, grit and determination.

What’s your favorite book to read and why? My favorite book to read was “The Inner Game of Tennis” (by Timothy Gallwey). This book helped me to understand my inner voices and how to overcome the mental side of sports performance.

What’s the best hype song and why? My favorite pre-game song since I’ve been little has been “Lose Yourself” by Eminem because it does the best on getting me in the zone.

What’s your favorite TV show to binge and why? My favorite show to watch when I just want to relax is “Seinfeld.” I love to laugh and any comedy show is great in my opinion.

What’s your favorite movie and why? My favorite movie is “Remember the Titans” because it highlights overcoming adversity and the grind to earn respect.

Do you have a secret talent/skill? I am pretty well versed in the kitchen and can make a mean avocado toast. My specialty drinks are coffees and matcha lattes.

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NEWS & NOTES

***Louisville Lady Sluggers 07-VanBoxmeer released its roster for the 2023-24 season. The Lady Sluggers are coached by Ashley VanBoxmeer, a former El Modena High and Cal State Fullerton player and Team Canada gold medalist for the 2007 World University Games. …

***2027 RHP/OF Jocelyn Berg, who previously played for Diamond Academy, joined Iowa Premier 16U National. Berg, who plays for Grand Forks Red River High, made the All-State team for North Dakota as an 8th-grader. …

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SIGNING/COMMITMENT ALERTS

Mya McGowan, 2025, RHP/1B, Power Surge-Berndes/Trammell/Poway High, CA, Cal

Olivia Buettner, 2025, MIF/RHP/UT, Titan Softball/Bill Ryan High, TX, Baylor

Izabella Schultz, 2024, RHP/1B, Athletics Jendro Premier/Santiago High, CA, Cal State Monterrey Bay

Tait Davidson, 2024, RHP, AL Firecrackers 06/Firecrackers Select-Rico/Brashear/Vestavia Hills High, AL, Alabama-Birmingham

Keala “KK” Hollenkamp, 2024, THP/MIF, Unity-Betsa/Hebert/Academy of the Holy Names, FL, Princeton

Gabriella Shadek, 2025, C/1B/3B, Lady Dukes Gold-Torres/Immaculate Heart Academy, NJ, Duke

Brooke Keltner, 2024, C/UT, Sparks Premier/Lockport Townships High, IL, Northern Kentucky

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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 …

— Carlos Arias, Dugout Chatter (Follow Carlos on Twitter @Los_Stuff and Threads @los_stuff)

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Carlos Arias
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