With the final edition of the 2026 HOT 100 coming up soon, one player who will definitely repeat as a Top 10 honoree is Karmen Vazquez, a dominant power hitting catcher and third baseman from Hanford, Calif. in the center of the Golden State.

The LSU-bound senior at Hanford West High is a career .517 hitter, received 1^st Team All-State honors and was a participant in the 2024 PGF All-American Game.

Impressively, Karmen has a 4.0 GPA and is also a 1st Team All-Conference water polo player!

Check out these clips of her scoring goal after goal in the water in action from this week:

Line Drive’s Brentt Eads caught up with Karmen this week to see how her summer went, how she’s preparing for her last year of high school and club softball and what she would recommend to young players who want to follow in her footsteps.

Here’s what she had to say…

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Line Drive: How was your summer and what were some highlights?
Karmen Vazquez: My defense and catching were solid. As a team I think we could have played better.

Some highlights would be the time we spend together outside of softball every year in Colorado. Those are memories we will always have with us with our team bonding we do.

LD: You’re a senior now… sad it’s your final year with friends or excited for your new adventure next year?
KV: I am sad I will be going far across the country, having to leave my family and friends although I am very excited and pumped about starting this new journey, and what my future holds for me.

LD: Speaking of “next year,” have you had a chance to go to LSU over the last few months?
KV: The last time I was in Baton Rouge was in March. But I do have a scheduled visit coming up soon, on October 11 which I am super excited for. Geaux Tigers!

LD: Are the coaches at LSU talking to you or getting you ready for when you get on campus?
KV: Yes, I talk to my coaches often and they keep in contact with me on the weekly basis. My relationship with the coaching staff is awesome!

LD: Having gone through the recruiting process, what advice would you give to players just getting ready to go through it?
KV: At first, I was very nervous going into September 1 and receiving my first call. I would say choose the school that is FOR YOU. Don’t let anyone pressure you in where to go!

Make sure you choose the school that feels like home, you are the one moving in or moving away for four-plus years. Somewhere you are going to enjoy, feel like home, & the environment is for you!

And lastly, somewhere you see yourself developing and getting better every day! Like people always say, “When you know, you know.” Trust the process and let it all work out! Have fun with it.

LD: On the verge of heading into college soon, what’s something you wish you could have done differently or better in your softball career?
KV: The one thing I would have liked to do more of is rehabilitation. I have the best recovery spot at our facility here in Hanford called Tilted Athletic Facility. It has hot and cold pools, red light therapy, and the Hyperice recovery tools.

I also would have liked to of met my trainer Eric a lot sooner. He does arm care, body recovery and strength training which has helped my game out in a huge way.

LD: Are you a goal setter? Either way, what would you like to accomplish this fall and next spring?
KV: Yes, I am a goal setter! In fact, at our house we have a list of goals on the white board reminding me every day to get better.

One goal I have is to accomplish this fall and next spring is to stay consistent.

LD: You have a lot of softball ahead of you, but what’s something you look back upon your career and loved the most?
KV: I loved that I was able to play for an organization that was in my small hometown of Hanford, Calif. I’m grateful I was able to stay local and still be able to compete at the highest level.

For all of our local athletes, you can achieve your goals here in the Valley if you stay determined and disciplined. You have to make sure your coaches are in your corner and have you at the right events as a team. As an individual you have to do your part by reaching out to the right schools that fit your athletic abilities and attend camps.

LD: Funniest thing you’ve ever seen on the softball fields.
KV: I saw a coach get tossed when I was first year 14’s, then a couple innings later come back with an ice cream cone and offered the ice cream to the umpire that tossed him!

LD: Easy question (maybe!): describe yourself in one word…
KV: Ambitious.