ROSEMONT, Ill. – Former UIC softball standout Natalie Hernandez agreed to a one-year contract extension with the Chicago Bandits, team officials announced on Monday. Hernandez inks the deal entering her fifth season at the professional level, after originally joining the Bandits via open tryouts in 2014.

Hernandez had a successful season in 2017, ranking third on the Bandits in both batting average (.324) and slugging percentage (.468), and ended the season with an All-National Pro Fastpitch (NPF) Team selection for the first time in her career. The third base/left fielder has also won two Cowles Cup Championships during her four-year tenure with the Bandits.

During her time with the Flames, Hernandez was two-time member of the Horizon League All-League First Team (2013, 2014) and was honored as a member of the All-Region Third Team in 2014. Hernandez was also named to the Horizon League All-League Second Team and All-Newcomer Team during her freshman season in 2011.

The Glendora, Calif. native is eighth on UIC's career home runs list (24), fifth in the single-season batting records (.413 in 2014) and tied for ninth in the single-season home runs list with 9 in the 2014 season. Hernandez also owns the individual single-game record hits record with five.

For more information on the Chicago Bandits, as well as information on their upcoming 2018 season, visit chicagobandits.com.

Photo credit: Ryan Breiding, courtesy of National Pro Fastpitch