University of Massachusets Athletics
Holtz And Blackmon Named Softball Assistants
August 20, 2003 | Softball
Aug. 20, 2003
AMHERST, Mass. - University of Massachusetts softball Head Coach Elaine Sortino has announced that Kaila Holtz and Adi Blackmon will be assistant coaches for the 2004 season. Holtz, a native of North Vancouver, British Columbia, was a four-year pitcher for the Minutewomen, while Blackmon, an Eldridge, Iowa product, was a four-year starter at three different positions for Iowa State.
"Both Kaila and Adi will bring a wealth of knowledge and experience," said Sortino. "Adi has experience playing at three positions in a top-level conference and we are glad that she has come aboard. Kaila is experienced both nationally and internationally. She has a passion for the program that will be a great asset. Both of these coaches are very excited to be here and give us a lot to look forward to."
In four years on the UMass mound, Holtz went 75-25 with a 1.40 ERA. Her 75 career victories rank fourth all-time in school history while her ERA is ninth-lowest. Holtz tossed 92 complete games including 35 shutouts, both good for second-best on the school's all-time chart. She hurled five career no-hitters and one perfect game. Holtz fanned 596 batters in her four years to also rank second in school history. She was a two-time Atlantic 10 Pitcher of the Year, three-time NFCA All-Region selection, three-time A-10 All-Tournament team member and the MVP of the 2002 A-10 Championship.
Off the field, Holtz was a three-time Verizon Academic All-District first team member and was a first-team Academic All-American in 2003. She was among the recipients of an NCAA and Atlantic 10 Postgraduate Scholarship. The three-time Canadian National Team member also compiled a .276 career batting average. She recorded 34 doubles, two triples, 11 home runs and 104 RBI.
Blackmon was a four-year starter for Iowa State. She played right field as a freshman and center field as a sophomore before moving to third base for her junior and senior campaigns. Blackmon left Iowa State as the school's all-time leading base-stealer with 48 thefts to her credit. The two-year captain was a second team All-Big 12 selection in 2002. Blackmon was a three-time recipient of the Cyclone Pride Award.
Off the field, Blackmon was a two-time NFCA Academic All-American and first team Academic All-Big 12 pick. She served as an assistant coach at her alma mater, Pleasant Valley H.S., in 2000 and was a three-year assistant on the Pleasant Valley Terminators, an ASA team.