Liam Peterson went 1-0 across two starts, throwing seven shutout innings with 13 strikeouts.
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Florida Gators right-handed pitcher Liam Peterson<https://floridagators.com/sports/baseball/roster/liam-peterson/16631> was honored as the SEC Co-Freshman of the Week by the league office on Monday afternoon.
Marking his first-career weekly accolade, Peterson received the Freshman of the Week nod alongside Arkansas’ Colin Fisher. The Palm Harbor, Fla. native made two starts for the Gators, going 1-0 across seven scoreless innings while striking out 13 batters against four walks. He allowed just three hits, posting a 1.00 WHIP and .125 batting average against.
Florida went 2-0 in Peterson’s two starts en route to a 5-0 week.
In his collegiate debut at North Florida on Feb. 20, Peterson fired three shutout frames on one hit and one walk to earn the win in a controlled start. The right-hander fanned seven, including striking out the side in order in his first-career inning. Peterson’s seven strikeouts were the most by a Gator in his collegiate debut since Pierce Coppola<https://floridagators.com/sports/baseball/roster/pierce-coppola/16367> struck out seven against Liberty on Feb. 20, 2022.
Four days later, Peterson was back on the mound for his first weekend start vs. Columbia on Feb. 24. He once again rose to the occasion, throwing four scoreless innings on two hits and three walks while striking out six.
Prior to coming to Florida, Peterson held status as the No. 34 prep player nationally per Perfect Game. From 2022-23 at Calvary Christian, he delivered a 10-2 record, 1.28 ERA and 141 strikeouts in 76 2/3 innings – good for a 16.6 K/9.
Peterson and the Gators have five more games on tap this week, beginning with a Tuesday trip to Stetson to take on the Hatters at 6:30 p.m. on ESPN+. Florida then hosts Bethune-Cookman at home on Wednesday at 6:30 p.m. on SEC Network+.
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