MALE
Will Baker // Columbus North junior baseball player
Baker threw a two-hitter and struck out nine Friday to lead the Bull Dogs to a 3-1 win against Columbus East in the semifinals of the Bloomington North Sectional. He also had an RBI in a 4-2 first-round win against East Central.
His performance last week: “Going into the East game, we had beaten them pretty good in the regular season, but we had a drought playing them in the sectional, so I knew that was a really big game for us. I had a game plan focused on what I was going to do — attack hitters, go right at them and let my defense make plays behind me.”
Do you do anything special to prepare? “I visualize the night before throwing and what’s going to happen in the game.”
Favorite drink: “Before every game, I drink a Bang energy drink.”
Favorite food: “Sushi”
Favorite class: “Business or Accounting”
Favorite sports team: “Mississippi State”
Favorite athlete: “Mike Trout”
Role model: “My mom and dad (Mandy and Kris Baker). The life lessons they teach me are countless, and I’ll never forget some of them.”
Best advice: “Always work hard. Always do everything you do to the best of your ability..”
Athletics goal: “To win state with this team.”
If you could travel anywhere: “Aruba, because it’s really nice, and I can just sit on the beach and enjoy the views.”
FEMALE
Paige McDaniel // Hauser freshman softball player
McDaniel threw a five-inning no-hitter and went 3 for 3 with a triple, a home run and two RBIs in a 15-0 semifinal win against Oldenburg Academy and threw a two-hitter in an 11-0 win against Jac-Cen-Del in the Rising Sun Sectional final.
Her performance last week: “I’m actually glad I got those because it’s a real confidence booster.”
Do you do anything special to prepare? “I like doing breathing exercises before the game and mentally preparing myself.”
Favorite drink: “I like Kiwi lemonade. It’s really good and semi-healthy.”
Favorite food: “Steak and any kind of chicken or pork.”
Favorite class: “English”
Favorite sports team: “I like Alabama and Oklahoma, but Ball State is really cool.”
Favorite athlete: “I look up to my brother (Isaiah). He used to play basketball and was really competitive and determined all the time.”
Role model: “Isaiah or my grandma (Lou Raider)”
Best advice: “Keep working at it, and one day eventually, you’ll get there. You just have to give it time and be patient.”
Athletics goal: “I want to get to college and play.”
If you could travel anywhere: “Bara Bora, because it’s really pretty.”
