Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
Holt gives pop to Greenwood
GREENWOOD — Peyton Holt has taken his game to a high level this season for the Greenwood baseball team.
After not hitting many extra-base hits as a sophomore, the shortstop has been able to develop his ability to hit for power and has provided a spark in the middle of the order for the Bulldogs.
“We are confident when he steps up to the plate,” Greenwood coach Trey Holloway said. “The biggest part of his game has been his extra-base hits. When he steps up there, he will put it in play and have a high contact rate. There is a good chance it will find a gap somewhere as well.”
Holt finished with seven doubles and two triples in his sophomore season. This year, Holt has seven home runs, 15 doubles and a school record 10 triples.
He has played a key part in helping the offense be even more explosive this season. Greenwood (31-3) is averaging about eight runs scored per game heading into the Class 6A state tournament championship game.
Greenwood, on a 23-game winning streak, faces Benton (22-11) for the title at Baum Stadium on the campus of the University of Arkansas at 3 p.m. on Saturday.
“Most people would say that he is just a small kid and can’t do much,” said Holt, who is 5-foot-9, 175 pounds. “I’ve worked on my strength in the offseason to show what I can do. I think it’s really paid off. I’m proud of what I’ve been able to do to help the team.”
Holt leads the team with 50 runs scored with a teamhigh average of .523 at the plate along with 23 steals. He is also tied with teammate Connor Noland with a teamhigh 37 RBI this season.
“The numbers speak for themselves,” Noland said. “But he works all the time. A lot of people don’t see the behind the scenes work ethic he has. He is hitting every day. The hard work is paying off this year.”
Holt can often be find working on his craft for any of his three sports he plays at Greenwood. He had a breakout season as a wide receiver for the state championship football team and helped lead the basketball team to the state tournament.
“It’s a rarity today to see somebody play all three sports and succeed at it,” Holloway said. “You look at some other guys in the past like (Van Buren’s) Tyler Spoon from our area. I can’t think of anybody else who has excelled at football, baseball and basketball the way Peyton has.”
Holt has provided a lot of consistency to the Greenwood lineup hitting third in the order. He has been held hitless in only five of his 33 games this season. Holt also has two or more hits in 20 games.
“In those five games he didn’t get a hit, I can almost guarantee you in three of those he squared up a ball and hit it right at defenders,” Holloway said. “That’s been the most impressive thing is his ability to play well every game.”
Holt has been able to set the table often for his teammates with his .577 on-base percentage. Holt also has struck out just three times at the plate all season.
“He is always on base,” Noland said. “Half the time he is on when I come to bat. It makes it pretty easy because I just have to move him over. The guys behind us have been driving us in as well.”
While Holt has stepped up at the plate, he has remained a great defender for the Bulldogs. He has helped turn 13 double plays this season from his shortstop position.
“He’s got a great glove and knows the game well,” Holloway said. “He makes the routine plays. But he’ll also make the extraordinary plays as well. Having a great glove and arm helps him make great plays.”
The improvement Holt has shown has really impressed his teammates. But Noland said the potential to get even better is there as well for Holt.
“The sky is the limit for him I think,” Noland said. “He has had a great year this season. But I think next year you’ll see some crazy stuff happen. This is just the beginning.”
On the outfield wall at Bulldog Field is a list of years the baseball team has won the state championship with the last being in 2006. Holt said he now hopes the team will be able to add 2018 to the wall soon with a title.
“We are more than excited for this championship game,” Holt said. “I think we are going to do fine. We just can’t go in there expecting to win it easily. We know we’ll have to work for this. We are really excited for the opportunity to get another ring and put that number on the wall.”