Name: Jared Baird
School: Central
Age: 17
Grade: Senior
Sport: Baseball
Athlete of the week achievement: Baird was 2-for-5 with a run and an RBI in the Scarlet Dragons' two playoff wins last week, pitching an 11-strikeout four-hitter in Thursday's quarterfinal game with Bedford.
Season update: Baird is 7-1 with a 2.36 ERA and 69 strikeouts on the mound and is hitting .309.
Coach A.J. Hoenstine's quote: "Jared's been in our program for four years. He's a real student of the game and really knowledgeable. You don't see that a lot anymore. He's had a fantastic year for us.''
Favorite teacher: Mrs. Dean
Favorite subject: Anatomy
Favorite movie: "The Sandlot''
Favorite food: Steak sandwich
Favorite song: Country or pop
Outside interests: Hunting and fishing
Favorite professional team: Pittsburgh Pirates
Favorite college team: Penn State
Pro athlete most admired: John Lester
Best athlete I ever played with: Lucas Runk
Best athlete I ever competed against: Philipsburg-Osceola's Luke Curtis
Most influential person on my athletic career: "Coach Hoenstine and my dad.''
Proudest athletic achievement: Playing in the state championship in 2010 and winning the District 6 championship this year
How I got my start in baseball: "I started playing t-ball when I was really young in Roaring Spring.''
Future goal: Graduate from college and do something in the medical field.
