Faces off the field gives a close look into the thoughts and lives of high school athletes in the Austin area. Today we feature Rouse catcher Mariah Collins, who must wear a bright-colored ribbon for every game.

All about Mariah: Baking bread and adjusting to pitchers and umpires

Tell something about you that most people don't know.

I can write with both my right and left hands, and I can write cursive better with my left hand even though I am right-handed.

Outside of sports, what's something that you're really good at?

I am really good at baking. I love baking different homemade treats like different bread loaves or different cookies. Any family event, I make sure to bake something good.

If you could go on vacation to wherever you want to go, where would it be?

I would visit Bora Bora, which is an island in French Polynesia. I would want to go there because everything about the place seems so tropical, and the water there is so beautiful.

If you could attend any concert, who would you see?

I would see Drake because he is one of my favorite artists, and it has always been my dream to see him perform live.

What will you do after you graduate?

I plan to play softball at a university and also major in something in the health field.

A bright-colored ribbon a part of Mariah's uniform

What has been your favorite softball memory at Rouse?

My favorite memory has to be when I hit a home run during the regional final game against Liberty Hill, helping my team go to the state semis. Seeing everyone cheer me on as I crossed home plate and my family and friends in the stands as well will be something I'll cherish forever.

Do you have any game-day rituals?

I have many rituals. The first one is I must have a ribbon in my hair, and it has to be bright-colored. Then I have to put my cleats on from right to left, and finally, right before the game starts, me and my teammate Kennedy Coleman have to do our own prayer by ourselves in the back of the dugout.

What is the hardest part of being a catcher?

The hardest part of being a catcher is adjusting to the different pitchers and different umpires. There are many things you have to do while being a catcher, such as adjusting to different pitchers’ pitches because no pitcher pitches the same. And with the umpires, not all umpires are going to give you the call you want, and so you are going to have to notice that and adjust the way you're framing.

Dream dinner: Breaking garlic bread with Kevin Hart and a First Lady

If you could have dinner with four people in the history of the world, who would they be?

I would like to have Drake, Frank Ocean, Kevin Hart and Michelle Obama.

Kevin Hart?

I picked Kevin Hart because he’s super funny, and I think talking to him would be fun.

You're in charge of the menu. What are you serving?

I’m serving chicken Alfredo with mozzarella sticks and Caesar salad because that meal sounds really good, and all of those foods are my favorite.

— Rick Cantu