After a tough sophomore season, former Warriors standout Matt Holt was able to get back in the groove as a junior.

Former Nansemond River High School baseball standout Matt Holt recently wrapped up his junior season at La Salle University. As a sophomore, he played in 13 games and dealt with a serious shoulder injury that derailed his second season. However, as he got back into action with a full junior season.

Holt started off as the Friday night pitcher for La Salle but still didn’t feel like starting at pitcher was for him and eventually moved to the bullpen, and he pitched better in that role. He credited his higher sense of confidence, helping him being a stronger pitcher in that role.

“Out of the pen, I was feeling like myself,” Holt said. “Starting just didn’t feel right. Just coming back from the injury was difficult, but I spent every day in the training room getting stronger and trying to get back out there, and it paid off.”

Holt was able to pitch without any pain this season. He made 14 appearances on the mound and was second on the team in strikeouts with 45. A big week back in February earned him the Philadelphia Big 5 Pitcher of the Week award. He jumped onto the season as a freshman in 2017 when he pitched his way to being named the Big 5 Rookie of the Year and was selected to the Atlantic-10 All-Rookie team. With all the accolades Holt reeled in as a freshman, it was expected that he’d be able to accomplish even more as a sophomore, but the injury happened.

At Nansemond River, Holt helped the Warriors achieve their first state baseball championship in 2016. He was a first team All-Conference selection at both pitcher and first base, and he was also an All-Region selection.