Holder's No-Hitter Leads Blowfish to Victory

June 23, 2015 - Coastal Plain League (Coastal Plain)
Lexington County Blowfish News Release

Lexington County Blowfish Pitcher Heath Holder after his No-Hitter
(Lexington County Blowfish)

Holder was masterful all night, commanding his fastball to strike out seven Florence batters. He ended the night walking four batters total, but keeping the RedWolves off the board the whole way. It was the first no-hitter of the 2015 Coastal Plain League season.

"It's surreal," Holder said. "It still feels like I'm dreaming, almost."

Holder got Chris Adams to ground out to Connor Owings (Coastal Carolina) at first base, forced Kolin McMillen to line out to Nick Gragganella (Florida State) in center, and Chaz Pal to fly out to Jared Williams (University of South Carolina) in left field.

That moment cemented Holder in Blowfish history.

The largest Florence scoring opportunity presented itself in the top of the fourth inning. Adams led off with a walk, and advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt. Ben Holland stepped to the dish, one of the most dangerous hitters in the league, and ripped a line shot into shallow center field.

Gragganella charged in and made a spectacular catch to end the threat. No other Florence runner would advance past second base after that point.

Holder would walk Ray Lanners to start the eighth inning. He erased his pinch runner, Kent Rollins, after striking out Nick Wierzgac. Tyler Lancaster (Spartanburg Methodist) threw to first to try and pick off the stealing Rollins. Owings tossed a dart right at newcomer Bennette Hill (Shelton State) to get the critical second out of the inning.

Holder celebrated the victory long after the game's conclusion with his family.

"I came into the summer trying to boost confidence, coming back from surgery," Holder said. "It means a lot because I proved to myself that I can command a fastball down in the zone, and if I do that, that's all that matters. I can get guys out."

The Blowfish only needed one run to win this game, and it came in the sixth inning. Gragganella reached on a fielder's choice, and advanced to third on a fielder's choice by J.D. Crowe (Francis Marion). Up with two outs, Madison Stokes (University of South Carolina) unloaded a double deep into the right field corner to score Gragganella and take the 1-0 lead.

The Blowfish were stymied early by Florence starter Luke Humphreys. He ended the night striking out eight batters through five innings of work.

However, all it took was one run.

All it took was two hours and eight minutes.

The Blowfish will stay at home to play the Florence RedWolves on Thursday, June 25. Secure your spot now by calling the box office at 803-254-FISH, online at blowfishbaseball.com, and at Blowfish on Main at 101 East Main Street in Lexington, South Carolina.

No-Hitter Scoreboard at Lexington County Baseball Stadium

Lexington County Blowfish Pitcher Heath Holder after his No-Hitter

• Discuss this story on the Coastal Plain League message board...

Coastal Plain League Stories from June 23, 2015

• RedWolves Held Hitless in 1-0 Loss - Florence RedWolves
• Dogs Fall in Extras to Sharks - Fayetteville SwampDogs
• Holder's No-Hitter Leads Blowfish to Victory - Lexington County Blowfish
• RedWolves Split DH with Blowfish, Walsh Dominates Game Two - Florence RedWolves
• Wilmington Tames Dogs, Sweeps Double-Header - Wilmington Sharks

The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

Other Recent Lexington County Blowfish Stories

• Major League Baseball Veterans Added to All-Star Show
• What to Expect at the CPL All-Star Show
• This Week in Blowfish Baseball
• Lexington County to Host 2023 CPL All-Star Show
• KC Brown Named Blowfish Head Coach