As a talented all-around athlete from Mason City, Iowa, success was something sophomore second basemen Jake Peter was familiar with. While Peter succeeded in high school sports such as track, basketball and football, baseball has always been his calling.
“It was definitely all baseball,” Peter said. “I played other sports in high school, but baseball was always my main focus.”
Peter began his stellar baseball career as a Mason City Mohawk. His early accomplishments and impressive high school stats got him early attention as an aspiring college athlete.
Despite interest from other universities, Peter didn’t hesitate committing to be a Bluejay.
“It’s close to home, it has a great baseball program, and it’s even better academically. It was the perfect fit for me,” Peter said. “When Coach Servais offered me, I just knew this is where I wanted to go.”
His junior and senior high school seasons further proved Jake’s promise as a future Bluejay. While leading his team to back-to-back state tournaments, Peter clinched all-conference and all-state honors, as well as prestigious awards, such as the Cy Young, Silver Bat and Gold Glove Awards.
He finished his Central Iowa Metropolitan League career as the Iowa High School Baseball Coaches Association’s Player of the Year with Mohawk career records in hits (206), RBIs (126), home runs (21), runs (187), doubles (56) and saves (10).
Despite the incoming freshman’s outstanding high school career, Creighton head coach Ed Servais wasn’t sure what Peter’s role would be for the 2012 Bluejay program.
“No matter how dominant a player you are in high school, there is always a transition period from high school to college,” Servais said. “So, we didn’t know exactly what he would do as a freshman.”
However, an injury brought the rookie on the field for his first career start, giving him a chance to prove himself for the rest of the season.
“Jake did not play the first two games of the year but was needed in game three,” said Coach Servais. “You could tell from that point on he was ready to go. Since then he has not missed a game.”
The team went on to defeat the Bears 5-1, as Peter scored his first collegiate hit and RBI. He went on to start the next 55 competitions and delivered 38 more hits on the season, including 15 extra-base knocks. His play and competitive spirit earned the respect and reliance of his teammates.
“He didn’t play like a freshman,” red-shirt freshman Tommy Clouthier said. “He was our guy to go to. We relied on him to get the big hit and drive in runs.”
Peter’s successful freshman year has Servais and the team excited for the season to come.
“He’s made that big step that we like to see freshman make into their sophomore year,” Servais said. “He’s been a dominant offensive player and everything we hoped he’d be defensively, and now we’re asking him to do even more than he did last year.”
In addition to defending second base and adopting a leadership role for the 2013 spring season, Peter may also be called upon to pitch. However, despite the challenges ahead with increased responsibility, Servais has no doubt that Peter will excel both on and off the field.
“He’s done everything we can ask a player to do on the field, and he does a great job in the classroom,” Servais said. “We’re fortunate to have guys like that representing our university. He epitomizes what we want to have in our Creighton student athletes.”