Softball athlete of the year: Mariah Peterson, L-P

Circumstance and determination collided in Mariah Peterson’s first season of softball, and the end result could be a long career on the diamond.

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“I was 11 years old and my little team needed a pitcher,” she said. “So I volunteered.”

Early results didn’t suggest the success Peterson would enjoy this season while leading Lewis-Palmer to the state tournament.

“I wasn’t very good that first year, and I was hitting trees left and right with my pitches,” she said with a laugh. “That summer after fifth grade, I was fed up with not being good so I was in the backyard every day with my dad working to fix my (pitching) motion.”

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Peterson’s game remains a work in progress, but the future is bright.

“She’ll definitely be a pitcher at the college level,” said coach Crystal Krebs, who had a short stint as a catcher in professional softball.

To play in college, Peterson said, “has been my goal since I started playing.”

The junior earned team MVP honors and pitched the Rangers to a state tournament victory.

“She had a phenomenal year,” Krebs said. “She hit in the 4-hole for us and is a great stick, a clutch hitter. On the mound, she’s a dominant pitcher.”

Peterson lauded her coach’s knowledge and positive attitude while also crediting her father.

“He’s been the biggest influence on me,” she said. “He keeps me going. He encourages me and tells me how I can get better.”

Peterson is the oldest of six children — five of whom are girls. Her siblings, who are all active in sports, have a good role model in the Rangers’ top player, who continually works to improve.

“I’m really working on my ‘rise ball’ right now,” Peterson said.

She hopes the hard work pays off with a state title.

“We’re losing some key players,” Peterson said, “but I think we can win it.”