Elysia Hernandez and Alejandra Rascon have never been teammates, but that will change next year.

Hernandez, a standout shortstop for Weston Ranch, signed her letter of intent last Friday, Nov. 13 to play softball for CSU Northridge just two days after East Union’s Rascon did the same. Both committed as sophomores.

“I’ve always known (Rascon) just from playing against her in travel ball and high school, but after we both committed we started communicating,” Hernandez said. “We text each other and talk more now.”

Hernandez will be the third member of her family to play at the next level. Older sisters Serena and Arianna Hernandez played for Delta College last year, but Serena actually started out at Northridge. 

“I look up to my older sister Serena,” Elysia said. “When she was down there she took me onto the campus and showed me around. I loved it.”

Hernandez said her work ethic and command of her position were what caught the attention of CSU Northridge head coach Tairia Flowers and her staff. She is also productive on offense. Her best season was in 2014 as a sophomore when she batted .457 with 32 hits (five of them triples) and 30 runs — all team-highs. 

She and Rascon are heading to a program that enjoyed much success last spring. The Matadors went 41-17, captured its first outright Big West Conference title since 1998 and qualified for the NCAA Los Angeles Regional Tournament.

 “I really love the coaching staff, and it just felt like home when I visited,” Hernandez said. “I’m really excited and can’t wait to be a part of it.”

Hernandez was also drawn by the school’s kinesiology program. She plans on pursuing a career in sports medicine.