Big games, big results for Bard

Big games are Jared Bard's specialty. He pitched in, and won, most of state champion Charlotte Christian's key victories this season. Bard, a senior who signed with North Carolina, is the Observer baseball player of the year. "I just get real pumped up in those kinds of games," Bard said. "I love pitching in big games." Not surprisingly, coach Greg Simmons handed the ball to Bard, a right-hander, for crucial assignments...Bard's older brother Daniel, a North Carolina pitcher and first-round draft pick of the Boston Red Sox last week, was Observer player of the year in 2003. (Charlotte Observer)