Luke Holman strikes out 15, goes 3-for-3 in Wilson's quarterfinal win over Twin Valley [updated]
May 14—Wilson right-hander Luke Holman draws much attention because of his brilliant pitching.
His hitting is often overlooked, but no less important to the Bulldogs.
Holman went 3-for-3 with an RBI triple in Wilson's 6-1 victory over Twin Valley in a Berks Baseball League quarterfinal Thursday night at FirstEnergy Stadium.
He's batting close to .500 with 12 extra-base hits and 19 RBIs.
"I'm very proud of my hitting," Holman said. "I definitely have to hit for us to win some games."
The top-seeded Bulldogs (18-1) didn't need much offense against the eighth-seeded Raiders (11-10) because of how Holman pitched. He was sensational, striking out 15, walking two and allowing no earned runs in 5 2/3 innings in front of several major league scouts.
His performance on the mound and at the plate sent Wilson into the semifinals against Oley Valley, a 5-4 winner over Exeter, in the second game of a doubleheader Monday back at the stadium.
"It's nice to come to the ballpark when Luke's on the bump," Bulldogs coach Sal Raccuglia said. "When he's on the bump, we know we have a super good chance to have a good day.
"You just need to get Luke a run or two and that's how you can be successful."
Twin Valley pushed across a run in the first inning. Matt Passerini reached on second baseman Cole Leaman's error — the first of four by Wilson — moved up on a wild pitch and a groundout and scored on another wild pitch.
The Bulldogs answered in the bottom of the first off left-hander Danny Eden when Rueben Livingston walked and scored on Holman's scorching triple. Right fielder Ben Spiri tried to make a diving catch, but the ball got past him and rolled to the wall.
"I knew he (Eden) was going to try to throw away," Holman said, "because the last time they saw me I was pulling off the ball and hitting off the end of the bat. So I was looking away. I hit it hard.
"I kind of jogged out of the box or else I could have had an inside-the-park home run."
The score remained tied until Wilson's strange fourth inning. Holman led off with a single, Randy Carlo walked and Andrew Trayer was hit by a pitch. A passed ball, catcher's interference and a throwing error on a strikeout/wild pitch enabled the Bulldogs to score three unearned runs and take a 4-1 lead.
Holman's single was the only hit in the inning.
"I think it was the only time we got our first two runners on base," Raccuglia said. "We did what we had to do to score runs."
They added a run in the fifth on Carlo's RBI single and one in the sixth on Ryan Kelly's double, a sacrifice and a wild pitch.
Eden struck out one in four innings after coming into the game with 78 in 40 1/3 innings. He also walked three and hit a batter.
"That was not his best performance," Twin Valley coach John Summers said. "I was a little disappointed. I truly believe that we have a chance to win every time he's pitching. But he kept us in the game for three innings."
The Raiders threatened to score off Holman in two innings. Seth Hatfield doubled and Passerini singled, putting runners on second and third with one out in the third. Holman struck out the next two batters.
In the fifth, Twin Valley loaded the bases on two infield errors and a walk before Holman struck out Koy Zdimal.
"I thought we put a little pressure on him," Summers said. "I was proud of the kids for sticking with it. But, boy, he's tough. Every time we had a chance, he found a way to turn out the lights. He's a good kid. He's a competitive kid with natural skills."
Holman increased his strikeouts to 88 in 41 2/3 innings and lowered his ERA, which was 0.39. He's scheduled to start the title game if Wilson gets past Oley Valley in the semis.
"This was not even close to what we're capable of," Holman said. "Our defense is usually top notch. We made so many errors tonight. We have to work on our fielding."
Luke Holman has made it abundantly clear that he's worked on his pitching and hitting.
