Greg Holt had to endure an emotional roller-coaster ride last Saturday to get another shot at playing in the College World Series.
His night as a relief pitcher for North Carolina began smoothly in the Super Regional's second game, but soon fell apart. Holt was lifted in place of another relief pitcher after he was unable to complete the job that coach Mike Fox handed him.
The disappointment didn't last long, though. UNC held on for a 7-5 victory, sending the Tar Heels on their fifth trip in six years to Omaha, Neb., the site of the College World Series. Holt, a senior right-hander from Clemmons, will be attending the third Series of his career and will try to get on the field for the first time — whether as a pitcher, designated hitter or pinch-hitter.
"Oh, my gosh," Holt said. "I am so excited for the opportunity to get out on the field and contribute and help our team win in any way.
"To play in front of that many people has always been a goal of mine. And to play in that environment and that stadium and to have a chance to win a national title is something you dream about."
Holt, a former West Forsyth star, went into last Saturday's game in the bottom of the seventh with the Tar Heels leading 6-1. The first batter of the inning had singled off starter Kent Emanuel, and Holt hit the first batter he faced. He escaped the jam by retiring the next two batters — on a double-play ground ball and a strikeout.
The next inning, however, was a different story.
The leadoff batter reached base on a slow chopper to second base for an infield hit. After Holt retired the next batter, he gave up another hit when a sharp ground ball took a sudden bounce over the head of shortstop Levi Michael, driving in a run and cutting North Carolina's lead to 6-2.
Holt then gave up a single and walked a batter, loading the bases. He was replaced by Michael Morin. Holt thought he had let down his team.
"It was a little frustrating," Holt said. "It was my last time pitching here (at Boshamer Stadium), and I was frustrated with how I threw the ball."
Holt plans to forget the outing so it doesn't affect his play in the Series. Holt, an eighth-round draft pick of the Washington Nationals, will enter the Series with a 7-1 record and 3.65 ERA. He's hitting .403 with 23 RBIs.
Fox said he isn't worried about Holt's confidence.
"He's pretty resilient," Fox said. "That kid's been through quite a bit. It's a game of failure. … It's how you handle failure that ultimately defines you."
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