THIS YEAR: Sophomore Madison Hernandez is a versatile player who returns with starting experience at three different positions ... Made the adjustment to collegiate pitching last year and should be able to produce with more consistency at the plate ... Has a strong arm and is confident in her ability to use her arm to control opponents on the bases ... Should provide an impact bat in the middle of the lineup and may also see time at other infield positions.
2013Â (freshman): Was one of five players (and the only freshman) who started all 47 games, playing 30 games at third base, 16 at catcher, and once at shortstop ... Led the Cougars in RBIs (31) and sacrifice bunts (7) and was second on the team in extra-base hits (8) and slugging percentage (.396) ... Batted .288 (40-for-139) with 22 runs, four doubles, three home runs, and nine stolen bases ... Had eight multi-hit games, including a pair of three-hit games ... Went three-for-four with her first collegiate home run in a 6-1 win at Biola ... Hit a three-run home run to finish a 10-0 mercy-rule victory over Dominican, a game which she caught a no-hitter for Rita Kim ... Batted .333 (9-for-27) on the Cougars' eight-game road trip to Hawai'i.
HIGH SCHOOL: Played four seasons of varsity softball at Upland (Calif.) High School ... Was a four-time All-Baseline League first team selection and earned All-Inland Valley second team honors all four years ... Named Highlander of the Year her junior and senior year ... As a sophomore in 2010, helped lead Upland to the CIF-Southern Section Division II championship for the school's first CIF title since 1997.
PERSONAL: Born May 25, 1994 in Upland, Calif., to Mario (self-employed) and Michele (ultrasound technologist) Hernandez ... Has one younger brother ... Her grandmother, Monica, attended Azusa Pacific ... Has not declared a major.
