Houston鈥檚 Hernandez primed for senior season after successful summer
HOUSTON (BVM) 鈥� Following the shortened 2020 college baseball season, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Houston Cougars first baseman Ryan Hernandez took his talents to the Texas Collegiate League where he鈥檇 become the TCL Player of the Year.
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Suiting up for the Round Rock Hairy Men, Hernandez led the league in batting average (.364), doubles (9), and home runs (6). He also finished fourth in the league with 24 RBIs.
The power hitter led the University of Houston with five home runs during the abbreviated NCAA season, then smashed five home runs in just six games from July 2-9 for Round Rock. He collected 10 RBIs during that span as well.
鈥淚 was super focused on my mental game this summer,鈥� Hernandez said in an interview on . 鈥淚 feel like a lot of my teammates helped me out with that.鈥�
Before suiting up in the TCL, Hernandez started all 15 games for Houston as a junior. With a .300 batting average, five home runs, and 14 RBIs, he was one of the lineup鈥檚 top bats. But for Hernandez, playing for the Cougars wasn鈥檛 always on the radar.
Before Houston, Hernandez suited up for the San Jacinto Gators. He had originally played baseball at the University of Albany before deciding to transfer to San Jacinto Community College. There, he helped the Gators capture the 2019 Region XIV Championship. Starting 46 of 47 games, he batted .295, hit four homers, and had 36 RBIs.聽
鈥淚 had never heard of junior college until my hitting coach back home mentioned it to me,鈥� Hernandez said on Manny鈥檚 Talk Show. 鈥淚t was really fun at San Jac, and it was really competitive. Without my coaches and teammates there, I wouldn鈥檛 be at Houston.鈥�
As colleges around the country begin preparation for the spring sports season, Hernandez and the Cougars are looking to solidify their spot in the American Athletic Conference.
鈥淲e’re going to be legit this year,鈥� Hernandez said in the interview.
You鈥檒l see how I am coming real soon
— Ryan Hernandez (@RyanLH555)
