Zachary Herman Arend grew up in Oakwood, Ohio, where he loved playing baseball and being outdoors from an early age. He was competitive in sports including baseball, football, and basketball, but baseball was his special passion. In 2006, he graduated from Paulding High School after being chosen First Team All Conference and MVP of the baseball team. He was excited to attend Bluffton and join the Beavers' baseball team, and as a pitcher he was proud to be chosen during his freshman year to accompany the team to Florida for its spring trip. He hoped one day to manage a major or minor league baseball team and is remembered for his quiet, fun-loving personality and approach to life.