Getting to know Lucy Fernandez: The Star Shortstop for Pioneer Softball

MaxPreps Student Section.

March 10 – Woodland, CA- Going, going, gone. The ball is smashed so vigorously that it clears not only the two hundred foot outfield fence, but the white gated fence that is ten feet beyond the outfield fence. On the other side of these two fences is Gibson Road, where the ball ferociously bounces into oncoming traffic, nearly making dents in several vehicles near the intersection at Pioneer Avenue on which the school is located at 1400 Pioneer Avenue. Her teammates erupt from the dugout and wait anxiously for Lucy to cross home plate so she can be congratulated with pats on the back. Lucy Fernandez has hit three homeruns so far this season.

Pioneer Varsity Softball has been fortunate to have been graced with the athleticism of senior shortstop, #9 Lucy Fernandez, (5'4"/140lbs). Fernandez has made outstanding contributions to the Lady Patriots with both her stellar defense in the middle infield as well as batting leadoff for the past four seasons, 2008-2011. Fernandez was also a star on the Pioneer Varsity Basketball team in 2010.

Lucia Angelica Fernandez, "Lucy", is the only daughter of Javier and Cecilia Fernandez and youngest of three children. The seventeen year old has been playing softball for ten years. Lucy will attend San Francisco State University in the Fall of 2011 as a pharmaceutical major in pursuit of becoming an oncology pharmacist. She will continue her softball endeavors at the next level. Lucy plays traveling softball for the USA Elite 18 Gold.

Lucy is a standout on the softball diamond and basketball court and excels in the classroom. She carries a cumulative 3.9-4.0 G.P.A. Some of Lucy's notable accolades include: Softball Team Defensive Player of the Year 2008, Team MVP 2009 & 2010, TCC All-League 2008-2010, Basketball MVP 2008 & 2010, Basketball TCC All-League 2010, and Academic Honor Roll in grades seven through twelve.

When not playing softball, Fernandez can be found hanging out with friends, listening to music, and watching movies. An interesting fact about Lucy is that she will be the first person in her family to attend college.

Lucy's father, Javier, is her inspiration, "My dad inspires me because he is always pushing me to be better than I am. He is always hard on me, but it has worked out because I am hard on myself. I could hit two homeruns in a game, but he always talks to me about my other at bats. Even though it gets a little frustrating with how hard he is on me, I know that he is only trying to help me improve."

So how does Lucy get ready to bring her A-game? "I sing on the school bus with junior teammate Katelyn Sheehan as we listen to music on my iPod."

One thing that separates Lucy from the rest is her drive to play the game, giving maximum effort all the time. Lucy's resolve and demeanor can be attributed to her strong work ethic and perseverance. This season, she has had to overcome a broken bone in her foot that was sustained during a high school basketball game. The injury sidelined her for the remainder of basketball season and the early workouts of the softball season.

When asked a series of questions relating to what she likes most about playing softball, her favorite softball memory, season goals, and advice to give, Lucy replied, "I like meeting new people and traveling to tournaments. My favorite high school memory is when I hit a homerun my freshman year over the fence against Woodland pitcher Alyssa Nakken (2008 WHS graduate). Also I thought it was very classy and nice how after the game she told me ‘nice hit'. My goal for this season is to help my team get to playoffs and make it to the Section Championship game! My advice to underclassmen and younger athletes is ‘Practice, practice, practice and work hard!"

With her positive attitude and leadership qualities, there is no doubt in my mind that Lucy Fernandez will accomplish many amazing things. I have had the privilege of being her teammate the last four years and I want to wish her all the very best of luck the rest of this season and in the bright future ahead of her.