UNC pitcher Holt wins first career start

To say North Carolina pitcher Greg Holt hasn’t had the best season would be an understatement.

But on Wednesday, Holt got a chance to save face on what has been a forgettable year so far.

The junior got the first start of his collegiate career and savored the moment, pitching four innings of scoreless ball and allowing only two hits in the win. He struck out four and walked zero to earn his first win of his career.

“He’s a junior in our program, but he’s technically a freshman pitcher like all these other guys because he hasn’t pitched much until this year,” UNC coach Mike Fox said.

Holt entered the game with a 7.99 ERA, the worst on the team for pitchers with more than seven innings pitched this year. In 23 2/3 innings, he had allowed 24 hits while striking out 22. He’s also given up the third-most home runs on the team.

Fox gave his much-maligned relief pitcher a chance in the midweek game against a struggling Davidson team. Pitching against the likes of nationally ranked teams Florida State and Georgia Tech, Holt’s ERA ballooned and confidence shook.

In a Sunday match against Georgia Tech, UNC was up 8-3 when Holt entered in the top of the  eighth. After his 1 2/3 innings, the Yellow Jackets had scored five runs to send the game into extras. They would eventually win 11-8.

But Holt said those struggles have long been behind him, and he showed that on Wednesday.

Davidson’s Danny Weiss singled up the middle with two outs for the first hit of the game. Holt would strike out the next batter to end the inning. Sam Payne came back in the next inning and singled to Brian Goodwin to right field.

Payne would advance to second on a ground ball, but Holt notched his second strikeout of the game when he fanned Tommy Piacenza. Davidson went down 1-2-3 in Holt’s final two innings on the mound.

“This has been new for me. I haven’t really pitched a lot in my career here, and I’ve been worked into some struggles but you got to progress from day to day,” Holt said.

Although Holt only tossed four innings instead of the five usually required for a win, he was able to get the victory because UNC labeled Wednesday as a staff day.

He will likely resume his relief pitching role this weekend when the Tar Heels travel to Clemson.

“I like starting, but it’s whatever Coach wants me to do and the team needs,” Holt said.



Contact the Sports Editor at sports@unc.edu.