With our final look at the Class of 2026 HOT 100 starting a week from Monday (Oct. 6^th)—coaches: reminder that your nomination info needs to be in by end of day on Monday (Sept. 29)!!!—we’re reviewing some of the top players from last year’s list.

A Top 20 player honored last fall was Sofia Herandez, a standout infielder from Southern California.

Here’s what we wrote about her then:

T-19—Sofia Hernandez, IF, Corona Angels
Sofia is a lefty hitter who can play the middle infield and third base smoothly and impressively. She’s a .400-plus hitter who just dominates the competition and has already been part of the USA Junior Women’s National Team, playing for the first-ever 15U National squad that competed favorably in countries like Peru and Japan. Sofia is a junior at Whitter Christian High in La Habra, Calif. and has helped lead her private school to the CIF playoffs and has put up video game-like numbers including a .529 batting average as a freshman. Defensively, Sofia has the quick twitch reflexes to take hard shots at third base while having the explosiveness to get the ball and the arm to make the long throw.

As a junior last spring, the 2026 grad hit .482 with a .557 on-base percentage for along with 28 RBIs and 33 runs at the prep level. This summer for Marty Tyson’s Corona Angels she continued to impress throughout the summer and fall and looks to once again be highly ranked as we evaluate the best of the best in the senior class.

Line Drive’s Brentt Eads recently caught up with the Arizona State-bound standout to learn more about Sofia’s goals heading into her final year of high school and travel ball before she heads to Tempe, Ariz. to compete for the Sun Devils…

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LINE DRIVE SOFTBALL Player Spotlight Questionnaire

Name: SOFIA HERNANDEZ
Hometown/ST: La Mirada, Calif.
Grad Year: 2026
Position(s): 3B/2B
Club Team: Corona Angels 18U – Tyson
High School: Whittier Christian (La Habra, Calif.)
GPA: 3.8
College: Arizona State
Preferred College Major: Business in Sports

In your eyes, Sofia, what are some of the top honors and accomplishments you’ve achieved individually and with your teams?
I’ve played for the USA Junior Olympic Team, my junior year I made CIF All-Southern Section Team, and I’ve received 1^st Team All-League three years in a row.

What’s been your most memorable softball experience?
Playing for the Team USA Junior Olympic 15U team in Japan.

What would you say are your strengths on the field?
My strengths on the field are hitting and being mentally prepared at all times.

Have you set personal goals for yourself for this year?
I’ve set goals of having a batting average of .440 and up and having a slugging percentage of .530 and higher.

Do you have any softball superstitions?
I can never touch the chalk before games, and I have the same routine in the on-deck circle every time.

If you had to describe yourself in one word, what would it be on-field? Off the field?
“Determined” on the field and “persistent” off the field.

What’s been your favorite place you’ve placed softball?
Japan, 100 percent!

What’s the biggest obstacle you’ve had to overcome in life?
The passing of my Tita, my grandmother, in 2023.

What drives you to play the game of softball?
My love for the game and to make my amazing support system proud.

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OFF THE FIELD:

What’s your favorite softball item, like a preferred bat, glove, etc.?
The Louisville Kryo bat.

Favorite school subject:
Math.

Best way to unwind is…
Listen to music or watch a movie.

What would you say is your philosophy in life?
Live in the moment and be where your feet are.

If you have 30 minutes to shop and $100 to spend, where do you go?
Lululemon.

What’s playing in your headphones right now?
TN by Morgan Wallen.

Celebrity you’d like most to hang out with…
SZA or Megan Moroney.

What’s been your favorite vacation or place you’ve visited?
Peru or Japan.

If you were stranded on a desert island, what’s the one thing you’d want to have with you (sorry: can’t be a phone as they’re no cell towers nearby!)
Spike ball.

If you could have dinner with anyone… living or dead… who would it be?
My Tita.

Favorite college uniform (and why):
Arizona State’s uniforms because they’re so clean and the color combos are fire.

What worries you most about what classmates your age face in the future?
Having to deal with the stress of getting high scores on the SATs and other tests for college.

If you won a million dollars and had to spend it all in 24 hours, how would you spend it?
Eating at fancy restaurants with my family… and buying clothes!

Calories aside, what food could you eat and never get sick of?
Salads or pasta.

Best talent off the field?
Dancing.

What have you learned most about yourself over the last year or two?
I’ve learned that I can be persistent about something I want, and I will do whatever it takes to achieve my goals.

Who inspires you (athletically & non-athletically):
Athletically, Sis Bates… non-athletically, my parents.

Finally, what’s one thing or accomplishment about you that is unusual or unique which few know (until know)?
I played with a fractured finger during league and CIF softball.