If you watched this summer’s PGF Futures All American Game featuring top juniors (2025’s) against super sophomores (‘26’s), you will no doubt remember the tremendous game had by catcher Karmen Vazquez.

One of the top recruits in the Class of 2026, she shined at the plate and, especially, behind the dish as she made a great tag on a throw home from her centerfielder and then there was… that throw.

Karmen showed she has one of the top arms in her class when she nailed a would-be base stealer at second – a speedster headed to the SEC, nonetheless – with a bullet to her infielder that arrived well below the throw…

Check it out!

Here’s a longer clip of that throw:

And here’s a brilliant outfield throw and tag at home in the same game:

This weekend, Karmen is visiting the Texas A&M campus and the Aggies are one of her Top 6 along with LSU, UCLA, North Carolina State, Oregon and Alabama.

She’s hoping to announce her final choice in early to mid-October but first she has a lot of campus trips still scheduled to complete!

Line Drive Softball’s Brentt Eads caught up with the talented backstop to get the latest… here’s what she had to say about this summer, looking ahead and more.

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Line Drive Softball: Recap your summer for us, what were your top 3-4 highlights?
Karmen Vazquez: Here are three that stand out:

• Playing in the PGF Futures Game, I threw out a girl – a Florida commit –to get us out the inning.
• We were in Colorado playing in the dome, and we were playing the Bombers… a pretty good team! Every college you could think of was standing around our field, and I hit one out (home run) to a couple of them in left center!
• Several times when the other team had a runner on, the opposing coach would yell to the team: “Don’t get off too far (lead from the base)” or even: “Be smart over there… that catcher has a good arm!”

LD Softball: You had an awesome PGF Futures Game and that throw from your knees was a thing of beauty! Walk us through that entire sequence; what were you thinking before the pitch? What was going through you mind as you made that perfect throw? Your reaction as you saw her tagged out?
KV: Pre-pitch I was already set up… I positioned my body to already be in a good spot to throw and I knew we needed to get out of the inning any way we could. I had a feeling the runner was going and felt the opportunity to help my team out of a jam. As soon as I released the ball out of my hand, I knew I had her! I was hyped and started running to the dugout.

LD Softball: Last Sunday was Sept. 1, the a big day for juniors who could be contacted by college coaches. What’s your mindset about recruiting really happening now?
KV: I am extremely excited for these opportunities that are coming my way. I am excited to see where I finally will end up to take my abilities to the next level, but at the same time I am very stressed and nervous!

LD Softball: You are one of the elite catchers in your class… what aspect of your game are you most proud of?
KV: As a catcher, arm strength and accuracy are super important and I take pride in my ability to use both, especially in high pressure situations.

LD Softball: Conversely, what’s an area of your game you’d like to work on and improve over the next year?
KV: I think I could be faster, I would like to work on my foot speed, so I could make a single turn into a double…

LD Softball: If you were stranded on a deserted island, what’s the ONE thing you’d want to have with you… besides a boat or way to leave (and sorry, no cell towers nearby!)?
KV: I would want my dad by my side because he knows a solution to everything!

LD Softball: Name something you wouldn’t be caught dead doing…
KV: Eating a pickle.

LD Softball: When not playing softball, what’s a perfect day for you?
KV: Being with family and friends and getting to spend time with them. 

LD Softball: Fill in the blank: “My life would be complete if I…. ”
KV: … win a national championship. And that would be a huge accomplishment for me, but it doesn’t stop there: graduating college is another goal I am determined to achieve. I also believe in giving back and supporting the next generation, helping them succeed in reaching their goals just as others have helped me along the way. My journey is not over yet, but I am excited for what the future holds!

LD Softball: Finally, if, magically, you could go back 10 years in time and talk to your younger self, what’s the one main thing you’d tell the young you?
KV: Work hard for what you want in life!

— Brentt Eads/Line Drive Softball