Eagan shortstop wants a second shot at state

Eagan shortstop Eric Peterson hopes to cap his senior season with a second trip to a state tournament in one year. The second-year captain never has made it to state for baseball. But Peterson was a part of the Wildcats hockey team that advanced to state in March.

Peterson was named to the Class 3A all-state baseball team as a junior. Next season he plans to play for Minnesota State Mankato as an outfielder.

Q What do you attribute your baseball success to?

A To be honest, it's a lot of the coaching that I've been brought up with throughout my youth and also high school [years]. But I'm also determined to win and to not lose. I'm not a big fan of losing.

Q What did you do in the offseason to prepare for this year?

A In the offseason, it's pretty much the winter and I'm playing hockey. [On] the weekends I'll go to the dome and go hit. I have a basement, which is unfinished, so I do a lot of grounders and throwing [there]. In the summer I also lift to get ready.

Q What are your team goals this year?

A Our goal is to make it to the state tournament, but it's going to be a tough road with Burnsville and Eastview. Those are two competitors that always tend to block us. But I think this year we have a great enough team to make it past those two teams.

Q What are your individual goals?

A Individually my goal is to be a good captain and a good team player. [I want to] maintain my batting average above .400. That's about it, just mostly being a team player.

Q What type of player are you?

A I'm more of a singles and doubles type of guy. I'm kind of a contact player that likes to use the whole field, not really a power hitter.

Q Who was your favorite baseball player growing up?

A Growing up, it was Luis Gonzalez for the Diamondbacks. I always liked his swing. I would tell everyone he is my favorite player.

Q What's your favorite high school moment so far?

A Definitely the state hockey tournament, because it is such a classic tournament throughout the state. Nothing against baseball at all, but it's just a memorable moment in my life I will never forget.

Q How long have you been playing baseball?

A I probably swung a bat when I was like 3 years old. I guess I've been playing since third grade for traveling.

Q Who is your biggest rival?

A I'd say Burnsville, because they've shut us down the past few years in sections.

Q If you were to win the lottery, what would you do?

A I'd probably buy myself a cabin up north and probably buy a car, an Aston Martin.

Q When you're not on the diamond, what do you like to do?

A I like to hang out with friends and I like to listen to music a lot. I don't really have much time to do stuff, so I hang out with friends when I can.

Calvin Swanson is a University of Minnesota student on assignment for the Star Tribune