Justin Peterson

Steve Virgen

There’s something different about Justin Peterson this year.

He’s the same soft-spoken person, but he’s not a nervous pitcher

anymore.

Last year, Peterson said he would become really nervous before a

game because he felt pressure as the Costa Mesa High baseball team’s

ace. However, this season he has been thriving in the role.

“There’s no pressure,” he said. “Just as long as I get the job

done. That’s what I’m here for. That was my job last year, too. I was

really nervous last year. But now I’m a senior.”

Throughout the early part of Peterson’s senior season, the

Mustangs’ left-handed pitcher has been in command. In 20 1/3 innings,

Peterson has a 0.34 ERA and 22 strikeouts. He has allowed five runs,

only one earned, just 12 hits and six walks.

“He’s a competitor,” Costa Mesa Coach Doug Deats said. “He wants

the ball. If he starts the game, he wants to finish it. He’s very

poised on the mound. He’s a great student of the game. He knows

pitching. He’s always trying to figure out how to set up hitters.

He’s better at hitting his locations this year, more than last year.”

Truth be told, Peterson has seized his second opportunity to be

the Mustangs’ ace. He has a 2-1 record heading into a key matchup

against Golden West League host Ocean View Friday.

While he’s a bit passive off the field, Peterson is the complete

opposite with the ball in his hand.

“I want to throw every game,” he said with a smile. “I like to

pitch because I control the game. If I have a bad game, we’re going

to have a bad game. But if my game is good, we are going to be good.”

Peterson’s game was good when he led the Mustangs to a 4-0

nonleague victory over Santiago March 16. That’s when he delivered a

one-hitter with 13 strikeouts and three walks.

“I just went after them,” said Peterson, the Daily Pilot Athlete

of the Week. “It was one of those days when all my pitches were

working. I was on.”

Peterson is hoping for the same type of precision and accuracy

when the Mustangs take on Ocean View.

“I’m anxious for that game,” he said. “The last time I threw

against them I had 10 consecutive strikeouts.”

Peterson has also been consistent for the Mustangs, Deats said.

When he doesn’t pitch he contributes in the outfield and, at the

plate, he’s usually batting at the top of the lineup.

“He has been doing great,” Deats said. “He has pitched very well.

He threw a three-hitter against Orange Lutheran in a [1-0 loss March

5]. He has been throwing his fastball, changeup, and his curveball.

In the Orange Lutheran game, under the lights, his changeup worked

very well because they were aggressive. And against Calvary Chapel he

went at them. He mixed it up pretty good against Santiago.”

On his 18th birthday, Peterson ended up saving his own win in a

6-5 victory over Calvary Chapel in the Newport Elks tournament.

According to CIF rules, he can not be credited for the save, but

aside from the technicalities he did hold off Calvary for his win.

He pitched four hits through six scoreless innings as the Mustangs

built a 6-0 lead. But the Eagles nearly rallied, coming within, 6-4,

until Peterson came in and held them off.

Peterson said he enjoys pitching and, “doing his job.” He has been

playing baseball since he was 4. He plans to continue next year, he

said, at either Orange Coast College or Cypress.