In four years at Manitou Springs, Canon Feist’s arm has become comparable to his first name: a cannon.

Feist is 4-1 in five starts this season with a 2.05 ERA. And his most recent game was his best yet.

He threw seven scoreless innings against The Classical Academy, allowing only three hits on 76 pitches. The Mustangs won 7-0 behind Feist’s gem.

Feist is the Peak Performer of the Week.

“I just happened to beat them,” Feist said. “Being able to have fun and relax and not have so much pressure on me trying to beat a team, really helped me.”

Most impressive about Feist’s performance is the team that he shutout.

TCA, No. 8 in 3A, has scored 96 runs in nine games. The Titans have reached double digits six times.

But against Manitou Springs and Feist, they were silent. Feist hadn’t beaten TCA during his career before Saturday, and that was his motivation.

“Being able to play them, it really got the adrenaline going,” Feist said. “It helped me when I was pitching, knowing I wanted to beat them.”

Feist’s gem, on Saturday, came exactly one month after his only rough outing of the year. In the Mustangs’ season opener, Feist allowed five earned runs on 14 hits as they lost 9-1 to Fort Collins.

But since then, Feist has been Manitou Springs’ ace. Feist has since gone 4-0, allowing just three earned runs in the four outings.

“I had all that pressure trying to do well and show out for the team,” Feist said. “Now I’ve learned that being able to relax and have fun, you play better. It really is a confidence booster.”

In addition to becoming stronger mentally, he has become stronger physically. Feist’s fastball now sits in the mid to upper 80s, he said..

That has allowed him to have more command.

“I think that’s what really helps me and sets me apart from other people,” Feist said.

Manitou Springs is 9-3-1 and No. 6 in 3A. Before he graduates, Feist’s goal is to lead his team on a run in the postseason.

But his baseball career won’t end in May. Feist is committed to Lincoln University of Missouri, which competes at the NCAA Division II level.

Feist said he is prepared for his next chapter, thanks to his continued improvement at Manitou Springs.

“I think that being able to be around all these guys and having fun will help me at the next level,” Feist said. “You’ll have even more players and a lot of different talent. I think it will be a lot of fun, being able to see that and experience that.”