The anticipated duel between the top pitcher and hitter in the area never materialized Tuesday as Lewis-Palmer’s Mariah Peterson fanned Widefield’s Lauren Shanks twice on the way to 15 strikeouts in a 2-0, four-hit shutout.

Peterson (6-1 with a 0.37 ERA) has 60 strikeouts in 45 innings for the Pikes Peak No. 1 Rangers (12-2, 6-0), who handed the No. 4 Gladiators (8-6, 4-1) their first loss in the 4A Metro.

Shanks, who came in hitting .604 with 30 RBIs in 48 at-bats, was looking forward to the matchup.

Lewis-Palmer pitcher Mariah Peterson struck out 15 in a 2-0 win over Mesa Ridge. Photo by