University of Massachusets Athletics
Softball Pitcher Kaila Holtz Leads Canada To Victory
July 16, 2001 | Softball
Holtz, a first-year member of Team Canada, pitched 10 straight innings allowing no runs on four hits and struck out 11 batters in the victory over the Netherlands. It was her first win for Team Canada. The victory advanced Team Canada to the tournament championship, where it defeated Chinese Taipei, 5-0.
This past season for UMass, Holtz posted a 13-1 record. She pitched 109.2 innings, striking out 80 batters and walking 19. Holtz maintained a 1.91 ERA and held her opponents to a .232 batting average. She was named a Verizon/CoSIDA District I Academic All-American.
"For Kaila personally, I believe [pitching for Team Canada] is the culmination of two years of hard work and determination," said UMass head coach Elaine Sortino. "She's really made a lot of changes as a pitcher, she's developed mechanically to make herself better and she's increased her speed. I believe the two years she's been on the mound here as a freshman and a sophomore have been very productive in terms of giving her the mental aura to accomplish her goals.
"It's a tremendous leap forward. Here's a kid who's going to get on the mound for us and have played against world-class competition and has had success. This has to be incredible for her confidence. It's going to be incredible for her teammates having her on the mound and standing confidently behind her. I think it's terrific."
As a freshman, Holtz told Sortino about her dream to pitch against former UMass softball standout, U.S. Olympian and current Minutewoman assistant coach, Danielle Henderson in the 2004 Olympics.
"I think she's taken a step toward making that dream a reality and you've got to love it when your kids achieve their dreams," said Sortino.
Holtz and Team Canada will compete against the Women's All-Star Pro League Team in Wisconsin on July 21 and 22.