Brandt Holland (North Alabama) bats in the Dutchmen's 6-0 win over the Stallion's on July 16th. (c) 2017 The Digital Eye
July 24th, 2017
ALBANY, N.Y. - In week 7 of the season, Brandt Holland (North Alabama) hit three home runs, plated 11 runners, hit .429 (6-14) with a slugging percentage of 1.143 and has been named the Spotlight Player of the Week.
Holland started off his week with a 2-2 performance against the Mohawks that included a two run home run in the 6-8 loss.
The following day, the power bat was back for the Sheffield, Alabama native. In a double header against the Diamond Dawgs, Holland went 3-7 with two home runs and six RBIs including his first ever grand slam at any level.
“It was pretty surreal, you know I was trying to take it all in as I rounded the bases and that was a fun feeling,” Holland said.
Holland capped off his dominant week at the plate Sunday adding three more RBIs, two off a double in the fourth inning and a run in Albany’s 9-2 win over Saugerties.
Head Coach Nick Davey says Holland’s dedication to the game has led to such a successful summer.
“He’s an older veteran guy who goes through the same routine every day, he prepares well, he loves his craft he works on hitting, you know he doesn’t try and change much but just looks to get better every day and those are the results you get with guys like that,” Davey said.
The rising senior at North Alabama is now third in the Perfect Game Collegiate Baseball League (PGCBL) in RBIs with 34 and tied for fourth for the league lead in home runs with five.
Holland, who is now hitting .320 on the season, says he loves being in the middle of the lineup and getting consistent opportunities to drive runners in.
“You know I try to do my best and whenever I have those guys on base I get a little extra focused to drive those guys in a luckily I’ve been able to do that this summer,” Holland said.
Holland is new to the northeast this summer and has done more than just play solid baseball for the Dutchmen. He has also volunteered his time to the Challenger League where he helped kids with special needs play baseball.
Holland says his experience volunteering with the league made him realize how fortunate he is to be able to play baseball at such a high level.
“It was very eye opening to me because we take it for granted so much and take it so seriously that we forget that it's a great game that a lot of people love,” Holland said.
After Albany’s 4-2 week, they are now in second place in the eastern division with a 26-15 record on the season. Holland and the rest of the Dutchmen are back in action Tuesday traveling to take on the Dragons.
