MADISON- Rachel Baker is the only member of her immediate family who has not lived in the State of Georgia. That fact is about to change for the Madison Academy senior as Baker signed an athletic-academic scholarship to attend Mercer University located in Macon, Ga.

“When I visited the campus of the school it felt like home and knowing Mercer has a school in the areas of biology and chemistry so I can move into the field of medicine was a plus,” said Baker, who is ranked sixth in her senior class with a 4.27 grade point average.

The Class 4A All-State third baseman for the Mustangs had a banner junior season as she batted .552, with 21 doubles, 14 homers, 55 RBIs, 64 hits and just seven strikeouts in 40 games. She’s ranked among the top 500 players in the country according to FloSoftball Top 500.

A team senior captain, Baker is also a member of the school’s cross country and track teams where she throws the shot put and runs the 400-meter. She also possess talents as an artist in painting and drawing.

“I feel as though I’m very knowledgeable of the sport and I always think ahead of what I will do should the ball come my way,” said Baker. “That’s super important as softball is a quick game.”

The 5-foot-5, 125-pound athlete is a power hitter and hits the long ball. She also possess a strong arm that is required to play third base. Much of those talents she attributes to her hobby of cross-fit training, which she said in a way measures your success. She added, “The coaches have developed me to be able to move laterally and I have the ability to be more of a middle-field player with nice foot technique.”

Gaining the nickname of “Scrappy” as a young softball player due to her endless efforts to always do whatever it took to get to the ball in the field, Baker feels she still has those intangibles that make for a good athlete. She also knows her spiritual faith is an important part of her life.

“I always say this motto when I step to the plate- in him I will not fail,” added Baker.