By BUTCH HARMON
Thanks to a pitching staff that has been unhittable at times, the Holt Rams have enjoyed one of the finest seasons in school history.
Through the first 30 games of the season, the Rams fashioned a 26-4 record. Holt finished the league season with a 13-1 conference record and clinched the league title with a 1-0 win at home against archrival Grand Ledge.
Along the way, the Holt pitching staff threw three no-hitters, including two by senior standout Justin Alleman.
Winning close games has been a trademark to this year’s team.
“We are 10-3 in games decided by three runs or less,” said coach Nathan Potts. “Even better yet, we are 4-1 in games decided by one run, showing our ability to close out games. We are 2-0 in extra innings with both of those wins being the visiting team, and we are 13-1 at home.”
A key to success has been Holt’s pitching staff. Holt’s team ERA was 2.54 at the end of the conference season, and Holt pitchers racked up a total of 242 strikeouts.
Alleman has been the ace of the staff. He has committed to the Michigan State University baseball team but is also expected to be drafted in the Major League Baseball draft in June. Alleman had a 7-0 record with a school-record 96 strikeouts and a school-record 0.76 ERA heading into the final week of May.
Junior Andrew Sabrosky forms a dominant one-two punch with Alleman. Sabrosky has already committed to pitch at Michigan State, as well, and he has a 4-1 record. Sabrosky leads the team in batting with a .382 average, and his 28 RBIs are second only to Alleman, who has knocked in 29 runs.
The Rams have also received a big effort from senior catcher Grant VanLiew. Along with handling the talented Ram pitching staff, VanLiew hit .330 and stole 18 bases as the team’s leadoff hitter.
Junior second baseman Jason Daman has also turned in a big season. A defensive standout with a .958 fielding percentage, Daman hit .319 and struck out just twice in 109 plate appearances.
While the Rams have been solid during the season, they are looking to peak in the state tournament.
“Though we have had winning streaks of nine and 10 games during the season, I never felt like we have peaked as a team” Potts said. “We’ve put together great innings and games at times but not on a consistent basis. If this team can hit consistently at key times, we will be tough to beat.”