Prior Lake power hitter no longer looks up to big guys

Senior right fielder/first baseman Nick Vaage has provided power to the middle of the batting order of the Prior Lake baseball team.

Vaage signed a letter of intent to play baseball with the University of Memphis in the American Athletic Conference next year.

The Lakers finished sixth in the 10-team South Suburban Conference. They concluded the regular season with an overall record of 9-11.

Here is a closer look at Vaage:

Q What is the best movie you have seen in the last year?

A "Fury." Very realistic and great battle scenes.

Q Three songs you never skip on your iPod are ...

Q Three words or phrases your friends or teammates would use to describe you are …

A … funny, quiet and easygoing.

Q What are your three favorite apps?

A Twitter, Instagram and Snapchat.

Q Who do you like to follow on Twitter, and why?

Q When and how did you get started playing baseball?

A My parents signed me up for tee-ball when I was 6. I fell in love with the game, and it hasn't changed.

Q At your first varsity practice, you felt …

A ... nervous. I remember being a freshman and seeing the seniors and thinking to myself, "How can these guys be high schoolers? They are twice my size."

Q What did you work on most in the offseason?

Q What were your goals at the start of the season?

A To be a very competitive player, who is known as not only a great player but also being a leader of his team.

Q What is your favorite meal before a game?

A Peanut butter and jelly sandwich with water. I don't eat much before games, and absolutely no dairy, like milk. Very superstitious about that.

Q You know you have an edge on an opponent when ...

Q What is your most memorable moment as a high school athlete?

A Being able to play with some of my best friends. They make the game so much more fun to play!

Q If you could change one thing about high school sports, what would it be?

A The length of the baseball season. I wish the season could be longer.

Q How do you balance school and sports during the year?

Q Name one sport that you wish you could play, and why?

A Football. I love watching the game but never choose to play the sport. I wish I would have at least given it a try.

Q In 10 years, you hope you are …

A ... a major league baseball player.

Q What is the best sports advice you have ever received?