Hernandez signs letter of intent to play at UC-San Diego
GILROY – Before the softball season started, the Lady Mustangs had a vacancy at second base and did not know who was going to fill the spot. That was until senior Dallas Hernandez took to the diamond and flashed her steady glove.
“Definitely a nice addition this year. With Michelle Gonzalez not playing, we didn’t know who was going to play second base. She definitely stepped up and filled the spot,” said head coach Julie Berggren of Hernandez. “She’s an excellent ballplayer. She hustles. She has a ton of experience. It was great that she brought all that experience to this team.”
So Gilroy’s ‘Star’ was born at second base – where she has been a mainstay for the entire season. But Hernandez already had game experience – playing over the summer and in the fall for the Salinas Valley Wildcats 18U Gold Team. Her abilities on the field instantly attracted some college programs – giving her a choice.
Three weeks ago, the promising infielder made her final decision and signed a letter of intent to play softball at the University of California at San Diego because of its medical and research program.
“I played for the 18 Golds summer team. (UC-San Diego) was the first team to scout me. That was the first letter of intent I got,” said Hernandez, who has ambitions of becoming an orthopedic surgeon specializing in sports medicine. “It’s what I’ve been working for since tee-ball.”
Hernandez was invited down to the San Diego campus and practiced with the softball team. The head coach immediately handed her a letter of intent – since the college does not offer any athletic scholarships.
“It was great. It was nice to see the team and how they play. I think I can play with them,” said Hernandez, following Thursday’s home game against Notre Dame. “It’s really nice, nice to know where I’m going.”
The hardworking infielder – who was also an All-League goaltender for the Gilroy High soccer team – knows that she has to earn her starting position at college just like she did with the Lady Mustangs.
“I’m going to have to work my way on to the team since I’m coming in as a freshman. It’s going to be a lot of hard work,” Hernandez said. “I’ll play infield or outfield. I just want to be able to play NCAA ball.”
But before she heads down south, Hernandez wants to do everything she can to bring a CCS Championship back to Gilroy High School.
“We have great pitching and a solid defense,” said Hernandez of the Lady Mustangs. “If we play to our ability, we can be CCS contenders.”
Gilroy currently holds a 13-13 record with two games remaining that will ultimately decide its CCS status.
When she is not on the playing field, Hernandez is giving back to her community by coaching and assisting other young athletes. For the last four years, Hernandez has umpired for Gilroy Little League as well as being a student coach for Gilroy Pop Warner. She even played Pop Warner football at age nine.
