Tim Peterson does not provide a blueprint to hitting that others should follow. The Emerald Ridge senior is a free-swinger with a strike zone that has no borders.
“I wouldn’t teach any kid to swing the way he does,” Emerald Ridge coach Tim Spears said. “He’ll hit high pitches and he can golf out low ones.”
So, Peterson’s unorthodox batting style will not land him an appearance in Tom Emanski’s instructional hitting videos. But Peterson does get results.
The News Tribune’s All-Area Baseball Player of the Year tormented SPSL South pitchers with an off-the-charts slugging percentage of 1.167 and claimed the Triple Crown, leading the league in home runs (7), RBI (30) and batting average (.500).
“Tim Peterson has had a heck of a season,” Puyallup coach Marc Wiese said.
“I just felt more comfortable,” Peterson said. “A lot more so than in the first three seasons. I don’t know what it was, but everything just came easier this year.”
Peterson blossomed into a complete player in his senior season – as a hitter, pitcher and leader.
“The thing I’m most proud of,” Spears said, “is that he’s matured as a person. He was a little hot-headed sometimes early on and didn’t like people telling him what to do. But that changed a lot this season.”
Peterson said he realized the importance of taking a leadership role for his team.
“I had to step up,” he said. “As a senior, it was something I had to do for the team, not for myself.”
Peterson helped guide the Jaguars to a 14-7 overall record and a second-place finish in the SPSL South. Emerald Ridge finished one game behind state semifinalist Puyallup. Peterson stoked the Jaguars’ league title hopes when he threw a complete-game shutout against the Vikings on April 30 that pulled the teams even in the standings. But a loss to Graham-Kapowsin one day later ended those hopes.
“I think we surprised some people by going 13-3,” Peterson said. “We had an 11-game winning streak at one time.”
Peterson, of course, was a big part of that success. His offensive statistics were ridiculously gaudy and well ahead of any other hitter in the SPSL South. No other players hit more than four home runs or tallied more than 21 RBI.
“I’m a sucker for the high ones,” he said. “Anything around the plate, I’ll go for it. I’m going up there looking to hit.”
“Try to pitch around him,” Spears said, “and he’s still going to hit the ball.”
Despite his free-swinging style, Peterson managed to draw 10 walks, though most were intentional.
Peterson dominated opponents from the mound, too. In seven starts, he threw three complete games, posting a record of 3-1 and a 1.95 earned-run average. The power pitcher – he has an upper-80s fastball that can hit 90 mph – led the league in strikeout ratio, fanning 46 in 32 innings.
“He’s a great pitcher,” Spears said. “He has poise, control and he holds runners on very well.”
Peterson has received a full scholarship to play at Western Nevada College, a two-year school in Carson City.
He said Washington, Washington State and Arizona showed interest, but they wanted him to walk on. If he’s selected when Major League Baseball drafts amateur free agents next month – Peterson would probably be a late-round pick – he said he would still go to school.
“I don’t think I’d go to the pros just yet,” he said. “If I go to Western Nevada, I’ve got two years to develop. Then I’ll think about the pros or transfer to a Division-I college.”
Doug Pacey: 253-597-8271
2009 NEWS TRIBUNE ALL-AREA BASEBALL TEAM
Player of the Year: Tim Peterson, Emerald Ridge
Coach of the Year: Marc Wiese, Puallup
FIRST TEAM
C: Alex Sloan, Jr., Sumner
SPSL 3A first-teamer hit six home runs, batted .452 with 21 RBI, 20 runs.
1B: Elijah Firestone, Sr.. Timberline
Powerful hitter three homers, nine doubles led Blazers to state semis.
2B: Travis Hagel, Jr., Auburn
SPSL North selection slugged .829, was second in batting average at .537.
3B: Sal Arena, Jr., Puyallup
D-I prospect batted .446 with 24 RBI, 23 runs and 20 stolen bases.
SS: Brady Steiger, Sr., South Kitsap
Two-time All-Area selection has committed to Washington State.
IF: Matt Brown, Sr., Peninsula
Won SPSL 3A Triple Crown, batting .604 with eight home runs and 26 RBI.
IF: Bryant VanEngelenburg, Jr., Kentwood
Led SPSL North with a .623 batting average, totaled 21 RBI and 27 runs.
IF: Brian Corliss, Sr., Beamer
All-SPSL South pick batted .489, stole 16 bases; also threw two no-hitters.
OF: Chris Marangon, Sr., Tahoma
Co-MVP of the SPSL North is a dangerous hitter and a top pitcher.
OF: Sean Rehon, Jr., Puyallup
Two-time All-Area pick is a perfect leadoff hitter with speed and power.
OF: Kyle Phillips, Sr., Curtis
Great defensive player can also hit, batting .418 with six home runs.
Utility: Jacob Hoffman, Jr., Curtis
All-league first baseman also played outfield; hit .460 with 25 RBI, 13 steals.
DH: Chet Thompson, Sr., Gig Harbor
University of Portland-signee was a first-team all-Bridge Division pick.
P: Adam Cimber, Sr., Puyallup
Possibly areas top pitcher; UW-signee was 9-2 with sub-1.00 ERA.
P: Cam Booser, Jr., Fife
Nisqually League 2A MVP is verbally committed to Oregon State.
P: Drew Vettleson, Jr., Central Kitsap
Ambidextrous pitcher was MVP of Bay Division; bound for Oregon State.
P: Brooks Roy, Sr., Franklin Pierce
Bulldog of a pitcher led SPSL 3A in strikeouts with 66 in 40 innings.
P: Taylor Hetrick, Jr., Timberline
WCC MVP pitched the Blazers to the 3A state semifinals.
P: Alexander Lee, Sr., Kentwood
Co-MVP of the SPSL North was the Conquerors ace with a 5-1 record.
BEST OF THE REST
Catchers: Robbie Ingram, Soph., Puyallup; Jake Dewhurst, Jr., Peninsula; Patrick McMeel, Sr., North Thurston
Pitchers: Scott Schultz, Jr., Gig Harbor; J.C. Erhardt, Sr., Rogers; Kody Stone, Sr., Puyallup; Cody Hebner, Sr., Auburn Mountainview; Gavin Hite, Sr., Bellarmine Prep; Kurtis Longver, Soph., Wilson; Nick Wilkins, Jr., Orting
Infielders: Cullen Hendrickson, Sr., Bellarmine Prep; Zach Hendrix, Sr., Emerald Ridge; Brad Falk, Soph., Sumner; Chris Burk, Sr., Peninsula; Berent Hagen, Sr., Enumclaw; Deven Kaaiwela, Soph., Franklin Pierce; Terik Gofinch, Sr., Spanaway Lake; Heyden Johnson, Sr., Tahoma; James Harris, Soph., Rogers; Jerad Casper, Sr., Tahoma; Brandon Cinkovich, Sr., Kentlake; Nick Tanielu, Soph., Federal Way; Bobby Jo Tannehill, Sr., Kentlake
Outfielders: Andrew Jacobsen, Sr., Franklin Pierce; Alec Beal, Jr., Timberline; Colin Monagle, Sr., South Kitsap; Zach Corpuz, Jr., Kentwood; Drew Cratsenberg, Soph., Federal Way; Danny Janocha, Sr., Kentlake
Designated hitter: Kyle Conwell, Sr., Tahoma
Utility: Brian Olson, Soph., Tahoma; Ricky Johnson, Jr., South Kitsap
Doug Pacey, The News Tribune
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