Iowa Lakes Softball player, Karisa Hernandez, has recently signed to continue her athletic and academic careers at McPherson College. She will be studying Biology at the institution located in McPherson, Kansas.
Hernandez had this to say about her decision to attend McPherson, "I am super excited to continue my dream of playing collegiate softball and getting to pursue my career. I know McPherson will be just as good as ILCC was for me! Go Bulldogs!
Hernandez is the daughter of Esmeralda and Rene Hernandez. She is from Houston, Texas and is a graduate of J. Frank Dobie High School.
Thus far in the Laker uniform, Hernandez has compiled a .288 batting average with a .375 on-base percentage. She has 81 hits, including 15 doubles, 2 triples, and 3 homeruns. Hernandez has scored 67 times, walked 40 times, and stole 27 bases in her career. She is currently 10th in the Iowa Lakes Softball record book for most walks in her career. Last season, Hernandez was selected to the ICCAC Academic All-Region 2nd Team.
Coach King had this to say about Hernandez, "Karisa has been a big part of our success over the last two seasons. She is a quiet leader that truly understands the game of softball. She has a high softball IQ and I have only seen her continue to improve in her two years here. In addition to her on the field accomplishments, Karisa has been a role model at Iowa Lakes and within the community. She is the student senate president and has logged numerous community service hours. We were lucky to have Karisa at Iowa Lakes for the past two years and she will be greatly missed next year!"
Hernandez and her teammates have accomplished a lot in the past two years together. They currently hold a 68-28-1 record and have appeared in a regional championship game. They have been ranked in the top 20 in the national junior college athletic association both years and were ranked #9 in all junior colleges, division 1-3, in for highest team GPA.
"I will forever be grateful that I was able to play at Iowa Lakes," commented Hernandez. "Not only did it teach me to grow and be independent as a person and player, but it brought me life-long best friends! My teammates and the coaching staff will forever be my family away from home! I want to thank Coach Katie and Kristi for everything as well as my teammates and best friends. I am so ready for what my journey will look like after Iowa Lakes, but it definitely is a bitter sweet moment knowing my time here is almost up."