AURORA | The Regis Jesuit baseball team suffered a significant loss before it took the field for the first time this spring.
Senior David Peterson — a left-handed ace pitcher who has signed with the University of Oregon — may miss the entire 2014 season after suffering a lower right leg injury that’s been diagnosed as a fracture to the fibula.
According to a statement from Peterson’s mother, an Orthopedic surgeon at Vail’s Steadman Clinic examined the injury to the non weight-bearing bone in Peterson’s landing leg and recommended surgery, which is expected to be performed Wednesday or Thursday. With a conservative recovery time of 7-12 weeks, Regis Jesuit coach Matt Darr said there’s no way to tell if Peterson will be able to play with the team this season. The regular season ends May 6.
“I think we’ll know more after the surgery, it’s still so early in diagnosing and figuring out what is going on,” Darr said. “Mentally as a team we have to prepare for him him not to be back. You can’t sit back and hope you get him back, but if we were to, talk about a major late season bonus acquisition. His health is the most important thing, so we’re not going to push it.
“I really feel bad for him. He worked so hard and it being his senior year and so much expectations with the draft and for this to happen, it’s a tough one.”
Peterson has a 15-6 career record with Regis Jesuit in three seasons on the varsity and is coming off a junior season that saw him finish 4-2 with a 1.60 ERA and 56 strikeouts in 39 1/3 innings. Over the summer, he played in both the Perfect Game All-American Classic in San Diego and the Under Armour All-American Game in Chicago.
The Raiders will try to make up for Peterson’s loss with a group that includes Arizona State signee Reagan Todd, Northern Colorado signee Zach Heath and junior Brent Schwarz, who has verbally committed to Rice.
“I think we all went into the season talking about how amazing our depth was and that’s going to be tested without David,” Darr said. “I think we’re in a position where we do have enough guys. You certainly can’t replace David, but we have some talented kids who can step up.”
Schwarz finished 4-1 with a 0.86 ERA in 24 1/3 innings last season, while Todd posted a 3-1 mark with a 3.37 ERA and Heath, used chiefly in relief, finished 1-1 with 2 saves and a 0.38 ERA.
Regis Jesuit opens the season on March 13 at Arapahoe, then plays Cherry Creek on March 22 before traveling to Cary, N.C., for the USA Baseball National High School Invitational March 26-29.
Courtney Oakes is Sports Editor of the Aurora Sentinel. Reach him at 303-750-7555 or sports@aurorasentinel.com. Twitter: @aurorasports. Facebook: Aurora Prep Sentinel
