Breanna Peterson (nee Macha) enters her second season with the Lobos after being added to the coaching staff in August 2018. Peterson will serve as the team’s pitching coach after helping lead Arizona State to the 2018 Women’s College World Series.
“I can’t express how fortunate and excited I am to have Breanna as our new pitching coach,” says head coach Paula Congleton. “She brings not only her expertise on the mound but her knowledge and passion for developing our pitchers. She is going to be awesome.”
“I would like to thank the UNM administration and Coach Congleton for this opportunity, the passion and commitment this staff shows goes above and beyond,” Peterson said. “They truly represent what this University and program is all about. Therefore, as the Lobo tradition continues to grow, I’m excited to join this staff, step on the field and get to work!”
Peterson helped lead her squad to a 48-13 record en route to the World Series last season and was the pitcher of record for the Sun Devils’ 5-2 victory over No. 9 South Carolina in the NCAA Super Regionals on May 26. She pitched all seven innings and allowed just two runs while posting six strikeouts. She completed the season 16-6 in the circle.
In 2018 as a senior at ASU, Peterson faceed 481 batters and allowed only 37 runs, 100 hits and 25 walks. These were her careers lows in her four years as a Sun Devil. That same season, on March 2, Peterson posted a season-high 10 strikeouts against Coastal Carolina. Peterson gave up just 11 home runs in the 2018 season which is just two more than she allowed in 2017.
Prior to 2018, Peterson posted a 2.23 ERA in her 2017 campaign. She ended the season being named to the 2017 All-Pac-12 Second Team.
On her career, Peterson posted a 3.21 ERA with an overall record of 54-34 including 130 appearances and 83 starts. She accumulated 558.2 innings pitched, 44 complete games, eight shutouts, nine saves and 387 strikeouts.
In her freshman year, Peterson was voted Newcomer of the Year by her teammates and was also named Pac-12 Freshman of the Week on March 9, 2015. In her sophomore year of high school, Peterson was named an ESPNHS Softball First Team All-American for her efforts as a multi-purpose player (hitting, pitching, fielding) and was named an All-Arizona First Team selection by the Arizona Republic.
Peterson graduated from Arizona State with a bachelor’s degree in exercise and wellness. She married former Lobo baseball player D.J. Peterson in November of 2019.