Four-year star Holtz aiming to help lead Arrowhead to elusive state title
Arrowhead's Jeff Holtz preps for an at bat in the Division 1 state semifinals against Sun Prairie on June 13 in Grand Chute (Alex Cheban/Wisconsin Baseball Central).
When the highs have you coasting on cloud nine, the lows can knock you straight back down to earth in the blink of an eye—seemingly out of nowhere. Perhaps no baseball team in Wisconsin knows that better than Arrowhead.
There aren’t many teams that have been on the type of ride that Arrowhead has over the last three years. The Warhawks have established themselves as one of the premier programs in Wisconsin, going 77-10 since making the switch from summer baseball to spring baseball in 2015. They’ve reached the Division 1 state semifinals twice in that span, and finished as state runner-up in 2016.
Unfortunately for Arrowhead, there have been lows to balance out the highs. The Warhawks have suffered three of the most heartbreaking losses in the state since their switch to spring ball. In 2015, Milwaukee Reagan defeated the heavily-favored Warhawks 5-0 in the sectional finals in one of the biggest upsets in Wisconsin high school baseball history. In 2016, Arrowhead held a 4-0 lead over Burlington heading into the sixth inning of the state championship game, but fell 6-4. And last year, they led Sun Prairie 3-2 entering the sixth inning of the state semifinals before losing 6-5 in 10 innings.
One of the few constants throughout the Warhawks’ highs and lows has been Jeff Holtz. The senior said all he and the Warhawks can do after their tough losses is learn from the experience.
“I think everyone agrees we played our hearts out those games. Even though we did not win them we knew what we had to do the next year coming back to get better,” he said. “After three years ago losing in sectionals, then (the) state championship, then the semifinals, many people on the team know the caliber of baseball we like to play.”
The Indiana recruit has had a spot in the starting lineup since his freshman year in 2015. He’ll enter his senior season this spring with a .460 career batting average to go along with 85 RBIs and 48 extra-base hits—including eight home runs. He earned first team All-Wisconsin honors from Wisconsin Baseball Central in 2016 and second team last season.
His contributions to the offense have been a big part of Arrowhead’s success since joining the spring season.
“It has been an amazing experience being a part of the last three Arrowhead baseball seasons. To be a part of those teams was like nothing else I have ever been a part of,” Holtz said. “Our teams were very close and everyone had good chemistry. Being part of a dominant team such as the last couple years has been awesome.”
Holtz played infield during his freshman season, but made the transition to catcher as a sophomore and has stuck there ever since. The backstop has made it look easy behind the plate, shutting down opponents on the base paths with the confidence of a 10-year pro.
“It’s somewhat taken for granted that Jeff will be a wall and stop almost any pitch,” Arrowhead coach Nick Brengosz said. “His transfer is incredibly quick and he helped keep runners stationary. Many in our conference didn’t attempt to steal on Jeff, much less find success.”
Sensational semifinal
Last year’s Division 1 state semifinal between Arrowhead and Sun Prairie was arguably the most exciting game of the state tournament. From a player’s perspective, it took guts to ride it out.
“The Sun Prairie game was one of the most mental and physical games I have ever played. Sun Prairie was a very good team who we played earlier in the year, and that gave most of the guys on the team a chip on our shoulder. I would have to say each player looked at that game thinking, ‘No matter what, I have to put everything I got into this game,’” Holtz said.
It certainly played out like a game in which every player put everything on the line. After Sun Prairie jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the top of the first inning, the Warhawks tied the game up with a run in the fourth. The Cardinals retook the lead in the top of the fifth before Arrowhead rallied with two runs in the bottom of the frame to go ahead 3-2.
Sun Prairie scored a run apiece in the sixth and seventh innings to get within three outs of the state title game with a 4-3 lead, but Arrowhead managed to plate a run on an error in the bottom of the seventh to send the game to extra innings. It took the Cardinals until the 10th inning to break the deadlock, but Carson Holin hit a two RBI double to put his squad up 6-4.
Down to their final three outs of the season again, the Warhawks threatened to tie things up once more after scoring a run, but ultimately came up just short by stranding the tying and winning runs on base.
“Even though it did not end as we hoped, everyone walked away from that game knowing we got better,” Holtz said.
Early recruitment
Holtz committed to Indiana before ever playing in a varsity baseball game. He committed to the Hoosiers in the February of his freshman year, largely due to their helpfulness throughout the process.
“I was recruited young by them, not knowing much about the recruiting process. Some other schools did not help explain to me what the process meant and how to go through it. Indiana came in and taught me in depth about the process,” Holtz said.
After he took a look at the campus, he knew he found the right fit.
“Once they invited me to visit the campus, I was blown away. It was beautiful and close enough to home where I knew my family could travel and see my games when they want,” he said.
Final chapter
Holtz, who also plays football, has forged a standout legacy for Arrowhead baseball. He’ll have one more chance to add to it this spring.
The Warhawks will have roughly half their lineup back from last year, as well as some of their top pitchers. After coming so close to a state championship the last two seasons, Holtz said the goal remains the same.
“We all have good chemistry on the team, and I expect to have a lot of leaders on the team and upperclassmen that will help the lowerclassmen along the season. I of course expect our team to do better than the teams before us. My goal for us this year is the state championship. I know our team can do it,” he said.
On an individual level, Holtz wants to help the team in any way he can.
“My personal goal for the year is to become a better leader for the team. I want to help out the team in any way possible that Coach Brengosz and the coaching staff would like me to,” he said.
Arrowhead is scheduled to open the season with two games in Tennessee on April 4.
