You just gotta love Karmen Vazquez, a talented catcher and third baseman from Hanford, Calif. which is about 30 miles south of Fresno.

Ranked as a Top 100 player in her class, Karmen is getting attention from schools in the SEC, Big Ten, and other top conferences and come Sept. 1 she will be getting a lot of love from Power 5 programs.

A huge thank you again to these schools that constantly send mail!! @LSUsoftball @NDsoftball @PurdueSoftball @AggieSoftball pic.twitter.com/7co69y1Fm5

— Karmen Vazquez (@KarmenVazquez08) April 6, 2024

Her father, Marco, knows that “time is ticking fast” and seeing the love from colleges his daughter is receiving explains:

“We just want her to be in a place where she will enjoy the school outside of softball and be with coaches that care about their players.”

For her part, the athlete is keeping her head down focusing in the game she loves and is having a tremendous season, batting .493 right now with a .550 on-base percentage and in 24 games played has 33 hits including nine home runs with 28 RBIs.

One thing that impresses about the soon-to-be high school junior is she is confident in her abilities on and off the field (and in the swimming pool, but that’s another subject).

“Right now,” Karmen says, “ I am playing with very high confidence, not doubting myself, not thinking too much and trying to stay smooth in my game.”

Here’s more from one of the top 2026’s prospects in the nation…

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Name: Karmen Vazquez
Hometown/ST: Hanford, CA
Grad Year: 2026
Position(s): C/3B
Club Team: Dirtdogs 16U – Vazquez
High School (City/ST): Hanford West (Calif.) High
GPA: 3.9
Preferred College Major: Criminology or Business Management

In your eyes, what are some of the top honors and accomplishments you’ve achieved individually and with your teams?
Sorry, but I try not to pay attention to my individual awards. If my team isn’t doing good my awards don’t really matter. I want to try to do my best to help my team. My most recent was I made 1st team All-State and MVP of our conference as a freshman. I was also added to the PGF All American watchlist.

What’s been your most memorable softball experience?
My most memorable experience in softball has been hitting a home run in a tied scrimmage game to walk it off for the win at the UCLA camp against Lisa Fernandez. One more was at the Texas A&M camp when the coaches kept sending runners to steal second and I kept throwing them all out. They kept sending them one after the other three or four times!

What would you say are your strengths on the field?
My softball IQ is pretty high in the aspect of the game.

Have you set personal goals for yourself for this year?
My personal goal for myself this year is to commit to play D1 Softball at the high level. My long-term goal is to become an All American and make the US National team and play in the Olympic for the US.

Do you have any softball superstitions?
Yes, I do… I have to wear the same bracelets, same hair ties, and hairstyle the same! Look good, play good.

If you had to describe yourself in one word, what would it be on-field? Off the field?
Krazy!

What’s been your favorite place you’ve placed softball?
Definitely Colorado. We go every year to play in the Colorado Sparkler.

What’s the biggest obstacle you’ve had to overcome in life?
My best friend and teammate who passed away in March 2022.

What drives you to play the game of softball?
How I get the chills every game like it’s my first and how exciting the game of softball is.

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OFF THE FIELD:

What’s your favorite softball item, like a preferred bat, glove, etc.?
My glove is so pretty and nice!

Favorite item(s) in your closet:
SHOES!!!

Favorite school subject:
Math.

Best way to unwind is…
Get Dutch Bros and eating family dinner (Chile Verde)

*** Line Drive members… scroll down to read more about Karmen including her secondary sport you don’t see many softball players play!