Alex Farkes Class: Sophomore Hometown: Boston, Mass. High School: Buckingham Browne & Nichols Height / Weight: 6-3 / 212 Position: C B/T: R/R

AS A FRESHMAN IN 2011: Appeared in 20 games with 14 starts as a freshman at Penn State ... Made his collegiate debut and scored a run after earning his first career start against Eastern Kentucky on February 26 ... Kicked off a strong spring break trip after reaching base safely in all five of his plate appearances against Old Dominion on March 9 ... Drew three walks, was hit by a pitch, and roped a crucial go-ahead two-run double in the fifth for his first career hit during the contest ... Scored a run against Norfolk State on March 12 and added a base hit against the Spartans the following afternoon ... Took over the starting role behind the plate for two weeks after Bobby Jacobs was injured during the series finale against Northwestern ... Posted a hit in three straight games during that stretch and scored runs against Pittsburgh on April 13 and Maryland on April 20 ... Gunned down a pair of would-be base stealers against Purdue on April 17 ... Chipped in with a pair of hits during the squad's crucial series with Ohio State in late April ... Tallied an RBI single during his final appearance of the season against Michigan on May 21 ... Worked 10 walks during the season, which helped him post a .421 on-base percentage ... That mark would have been the highest on the team and just outside the top-10 in the conference if he had enough at bats to qualify ... Earned the starting nod during Penn State's 8-7 victory over the Nexen Heroes of Korea during an exhibition contest in St. Petersburg, Florida on February 21 ... Knocked in a run and roped a key triple in the top of the ninth to help clinch the victory.

HIGH SCHOOL: Standout catcher for the Buckingham Browne and Nichols baseball team ... Earned first-team All-League honors on three occasions ... Helped guide the team to the school's first-ever undefeated season in 2010 ... Led the squad to a 23-0 record and the league title ... Clubbed 15 career home runs and hit over .300 in each of his three varsity seasons ... Excelled behind the plate and allowed only two stolen bases.

PERSONAL: Alexander Farkes ... Born on September 26, 1991 in Boston, Mass. ... Son of Gary and Renee Farkes ... Has three older brothers, Zak, Josh, and Adam ... Undecided on a major.

GETTING TO KNOW ALEX
Nickname: Fark
Major & Why: Undecided but something in the Smeal College of Business, because it is one of the top business schools in the country.
Favorite Major League Baseball Player: Evan Longoria
Favorite Athlete (Any Sport): Tim Tebow
Favorite Pro Team: Red Sox
Favorite Musical Artist: Moufy
Favorite Movie: Good Will Hunting
Favorite TV Show: Dexter and Lost
Favorite Website: Google
Childhood Idol: My brothers
If I Had $1 Billion, I Would: Purchase a small island
After Penn State, I Would Like To: Play professional baseball