Athlete of the Week: Paisley Hernandez, Horizon softball

Comparing most freshman softball players to Horizon High’s Lila Hernandez is flat-out unfair, considering she’s one of the top players in the area, if not the state; she’s currently hitting for a batting average of .413 with an on-base percentage of .554, 31 runs scored, 31 stolen bases and 10 runs batted in. 

Luckily for the Lady Hawks softball team Paisley Hernandez, the junior’s younger sister, isn’t most freshmen. She’s better. 

With a team-leading average of .487, 29 runs scored, 23 RBIs, 28 stolen bases and a .512 on-base percentage, the first-year high school softball star has played a major role in leading Horizon to a 20-5 record to close the regular season — the most regular season wins in program history and three shy of matching the overall single-season record.

THE BASICS

Age: 15 

Sport: Softball 

Grade: Freshman

School: Horizon High 

Q&A

How does it feel to be named Athlete of the Week?

This is a huge honor as a freshman playing in a super-talented region with so many deserving players.

What do you enjoy the most about softball?

I enjoy being able to play with my sister Lila because she is my best friend. Having fun on the field translates to playing well.

What's the biggest lesson you've learned from softball?

I’ve learned that if you want to see change, you have to work for it.

What is your favorite softball memory?

Pitching at the FSU softball camp because it was an honor to showcase my skills in front of FSU coach (Lonni) Alameda. It is my goal to play Division I softball.

Who is your favorite athlete?

My sister Lila is my favorite athlete because she makes me a better person on and off the field. She is always rooting for my success and pushes me to be the best I can be. I would love to play with her in college.

What’s your go-to pregame meal?

Chocolate graham crackers and a peach vibe Celsius.

What’s your go-to pregame hype song?

“Faded” by Alan Walker is the song that our whole team listens to to get the best pregame vibes.

What is your favorite non-sports hobby?

I love going to Disney with my friends. (Eating) Disney snacks and riding the “Guardians of the Galaxy” ride at Epcot are my favorites.

What is your favorite subject in school?

My favorite subject in school is ceramics because I love the process of making pieces.

What are three things you would take with you to a deserted island?

I would take seeds so I can start my own garden and grow my own food, I would take a softball in case I get bored and I would bring a lighter for fire, until I could learn to make my own.

What is your favorite movie?

My favorite movie is “10 Things I Hate About You” because it’s a sweet love story.

If you could have dinner with one person — dead or alive — who would it be?

I would have dinner with my Nana, who passed away last year. I miss her so much and would want to tell her everything I have done this past year. She would give me a great pep talk to motivate me.

If you could go back in time to a specific period in history, when and where would you go?

I would want to go back to the 80’s because it seems like everything would be really fun. Life seemed simpler and easier for kids.

Looking back, what piece of advice would you give your younger self?

I would tell my younger self to have fun at any chance I got because you only live once.

If you could ask your future self a question, what would it be?

Did I do everything that I could to live up to my potential and not leave anything to chance?

Who is your favorite superhero?

Batman is my favorite superhero because of how intelligent he is and how good of a strategist he is.

Who is your favorite supervillain?

Maleficent because she isn’t afraid to curse people out of spite.

If you could have any superpower, what would it be and why?

Teleportation, so I could travel wherever I want in the world without spending money.

If you could travel to three places in the world, where would you go and why?

Australia, Iceland and Italy. I would love getting to go to the Great Barrier Reef, eating the best pasta in Italy and sightseeing in Iceland.

If you could be an animal for a day, which one would you be and why?

I would want to be a pigeon, so I could people-watch in New York City.

What is your most controversial food take?

Crumbl cookies are bad, not only for how unhealthy they are, they are also way too sweet.

Does Pineapple belong on pizza?

Yes, it is a fruit like a tomato, so I don’t see the problem.