HELENA — Don’t bother Helena Senators righty Eli Peterson before an outing.
He’s likely jamming out to rap music and certainly focusing on the job ahead.
Saturday, that goal was pitching Helena into the Keith Sell Tournament Championship Game where a fourth-straight title defense could begin and the Laurel Dodgers await.
First pitch is scheduled for 5:15 p.m. Sunday at Kindrick Legion Field.
Peterson walked three, but struck out a season-high eight batters (four looking) across 6.1 innings as the Senators rolled 8-2 over Mount Vernon.
Up over 44 innings pitched as a first-year Senator, Peterson owns a 1.90 ERA (second-best on the team, minimum 20 IP) and a sub-.200 batting average against.
“I think my focus pregame is mostly working,” Peterson said. “I listen to my music, I try to center myself away from people. Focus on the task at hand.”
People are also reading…
While he’s still playing basketball (Helena High), Peterson shifted focus a bit more to the diamond this season, prioritizing off-season workouts and lifting regimens.
“It fits me best, I guess,” Peterson said. “I tried basketball. Baseball is kinda my thing, I think. I’m enjoying it.”