He can strike out batter, figure out ERA

Joey Sliepka, a senior at Jersey Village High School, is a National Merit finalist with his sights set on a career in medicine.

Jersey Village High School senior Joey Sliepka helped his Falcon baseball team get off to a good start in the 2012 season by posting a pitching victory as Jersey Village won the CFISD preseason tournament in February. His success on the athletic field is mirrored by his achievements in the classroom. He was one of 24 National Merit semifinalists recognized during a ceremony at the Berry Center on Jan. 23.

Name: Joey Sliepka

School: Jersey Village High School

Accomplishments: National Merit finalist, three-year All-State band and orchestra member, third-year letterman in baseball, National Honor Society member, First Team All-District 17-5A Baseball in 2011, ranks second statistically among the district pitchers through April 8 with a 5-1 record and has 48 strikeouts and a 0.83 earned run average

Favorite class: "Calculus. I'm good at math, I like my classmates and have a fun teacher."

Favorite thing to do after class: "Attend baseball practice, play basketball and watch movies."

Favorite song: "Renegade" by Styx

Favorite website: "Yahoo. It's a quick way to get the news."

Favorite TV show: " 'Two and a Half Men.' It has funny characters and is intelligently written."

Favorite Movie: "The Dark Knight"

Ambition: "I'd like to be a doctor. I like science and anatomy."