From Carnegie to OKC, Peters Has Enjoyed Performing on Biggest Stages
5/17/2018 11:28:00 AM | Softball, Features
By Steve Kornacki
LEXINGTON, Ky. -- Natalie Peters has performed briefly on the biggest stage in her sport at the Women's College World Series in Oklahoma City. She's also literally performed on one of the world's biggest stages at Carnegie Hall.
"It really was a dream come true," said Peters, a University of Michigan junior. "I was in the choir in high school, and we were in a classical ensemble that traveled for everything, and we got to go to New York for a week and sing at Carnegie Hall.
"It was one of the best experiences I ever had because I love to sing, and singing in a group like that in a hall like that was incredible."
Peters got to perform at the 127-year-old concert mecca in Midtown Manhattan with the San Diego Mt. Carmel High choir.
She scored a WCWS run as a freshman pinch-runner for the Wolverines in a 2016 game against Oklahoma at ASA Hall of Fame Stadium, and she has developed into a starting outfielder on a team whose quest to return to Oklahoma City begins Friday (May 18) in an NCAA Tournament opener with Notre Dame in Lexington, Kentucky. Michigan will then face either No. 16-seeded host Kentucky or Illinois-Chicago on the second day of the double-elimination event.
"I think it's awesome," said Peters. "We're all pumped up and really excited for our Friday game, taking nothing for granted and just going out and playing every pitch like it's our last and enjoying the moment."
The Wolverines (43-11) were Big Ten champions for the 10th time in 11 seasons and will have Meghan Beaubien (32-4, 1.09 ERA), the nation's winningest pitcher, in the circle. This is a team built more on pitching, speed and defense than recent Michigan squads, and Peters is a prime example of that.
Peters moved from left field to center this season, replacing All-American Kelly Christner at the key outfield position. She also leads the Wolverines with 13 stolen bases and is batting .311 with 22 runs batted in and 29 runs scored.
She batted leadoff much of last season but has settled in behind second baseman Faith Canfield (.406, 42 runs and 38 RBI) as the No. 2 hitter in 2018.
"They're all pretty much similar," Peters said of various batting order spots. "You're just trying to find a way on base any way you can, move up teammates and score them."
First baseman Tera Blanco (.355, 10 homers, 42 RBI) bats third, and third baseman Madison Uden (.348, 35 RBI) is the cleanup hitter.
"The great thing about our lineup is that each person in it is equally capable of making things happen," said Peters. "That's what makes our lineup so strong. Whether at the top or the bottom of the lineup, somebody is going to make something happen. That's what excites us."
Peters is a lefthanded slap hitter for the most part, but she also can drive the ball with authority. She has three doubles, one triple and one homer.
"I go back and forth between soft-slapping and hard-slapping," said Peters. "I didn't always have power, but I always had speed. This year, in particular, I developed more of a swing-away hitting (style) to try to drive the ball with more power with runners on base."
She said opposing defenses are beginning to adjust to her varying hitting styles after always playing in tight.
Peters said everyone on the coaching staff has helped with her swing and offensive approach.
"Some of the best (practice) moments are when you're just in there swinging at soft toss or taking B.P. on the field," said Peters. "There's something so relaxing about hitting after all these years. It's almost second nature at this point."
Peters might never have taken up softball if it weren't for a less-than-enjoyable cheerleading experience and having an older sister, Rachel, who went on to play high school softball and is now a teacher.
"My sister was a softball player, and I decided to follow her," said Peters. "I got into playing and really had fun with the game."
She mostly played shortstop growing up and for Mt. Carmel but moved to center field with travel teams such as the Orange County Batbusters, with whom she played on the 2014 and 2015 18U Premier Girls Fastpitch national championship teams.
"I love playing out there in center because with the angle of the field you get to see everything," said Peters. "That's special. That's what I love about it. You're able to get range out there, find the ball and take command."
She played sparingly as a freshman, mostly pinch-running, but started in left as a sophomore and batted .361 to earn All-Big Ten second team honors. Now Peters is back in center, but she said she would play anywhere to help the team.
The family atmosphere on the Wolverines is what attracted her to the program.
"I've had the best times of my life here," said Peters. "I never would've expected going so far from home when I was younger because I'm so close to my family. But now I am so comfortable in a different place, a different state, and my best friends are on the team here.
"We have a great environment, and my teammates will have my back no matter what. It's not something you find everywhere, and it's something athletics really helps you with."
She's also excelled academically, being named Academic All-Big Ten in 2017, and is a sociology major who has enjoyed taking a wide variety of courses including computer science and mathematics.
Peters got to play in the Women's College World Series as a freshman and score that run, but now she hungers for another shot at making it to Oklahoma City.
"I was stoked," Peters said of that WCWS opportunity in 2016. "I was shocked they put me in. Some of the girls were yelling at me to see better on my lead (off the base), but I just embraced the moment. It was special and a chance that not everyone gets, and I scored."
She finds herself humming on the softball field because of its "calming" effect, and those moments tap into her singing background.
Peters has found herself on the biggest stages and enjoyed every second of it.
