Holt enjoys return to Howser Stadium, Eagles capture series over Seminoles

Tyler Holt's return to Howser Stadium couldn't have gone much better.

Other than maybe the cool weather.

"I am a Southern guy - I like some warmer weather," Holt said and smiled Sunday.

"I was hoping I would come to Tallahassee to get some warmer weather. It felt like it was warmer in Boston than it was here, so that's not good."

There was plenty of good to go around otherwise for Holt and the Boston College baseball team.

The Eagles beat Florida State 8-2 Sunday afternoon to win the ACC series and improve to 14-3 overall for the first time in program history. They are also 4-2 in the ACC for the first time since joining the league in 2005.

Holt − a former All-American center fielder and volunteer assistant at FSU −is in his second season as an assistant at BC under coach Mike Gambino.

Holt serves as the Eagles' hitting coach, works with the outfielders and baserunners and coaches third base.

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Holt, 34, was hired at BC in the fall of 2021 after he spent three seasons as FSU's volunteer assistant coach under legendary Mike Martin.

In Holt's three coaching seasons at FSU, he helped the Seminoles to a pair of regionals, including an appearance in the 2019 College World Series in Martin’s final year. Martin and wife Carol attended Sunday's game.

After dropping Friday's opener 19-8, the Eagles won 4-2 Saturday to set up Sunday's rubber match.

Sloppy FSU (12-8 overall, 3-3 ACC) made it easy for BC.

The Seminoles committed four errors - three by senior third baseman Nander De Sedas - surrendered seven unearned runs and have lost five of their last six.

They must regroup in a hurry with No. 2 Florida (18-4) at Howser Stadium Tuesday at 7 p.m.

FSU coach Link Jarrett was ejected in the eighth inning after one of several heated conversations with home plate umpire Brandon Henson.

"I thought their lineup, top to bottom – physical, competitive, balanced – they’re a really good team," Jarrett said of the Eagles. "And we clearly were not equipped. … personnel-wise we’re clearly not 100 percent but you still have to go play clean baseball."

Carson Montgomery (0-1) took the loss in a 2.2-inning start for the Seminoles. He gave up two runs, one earned, on three hits and three walks with two strikeouts.

FSU out-hit BC 11-9 but stranded 13 runners on base and struck out 12 times.

Return trip to Howser Stadium brings back fond memories for Holt

Holt saw plenty of friends and familiar faces at Howser, where he was a three-year starter (2008-10) in center field and finished his FSU career with a .359 batting average, 257 runs, 268 hits, 117 RBIs and 79 stolen bases.

Holt's father also traveled from Gainesville to visit with his son and watch the first two games of the series.

Holt, known for his energy and infectious personality, credited BC players for helping him keep his emotions in check.

"I think the people that kind of made me who I am, even the older players here... I miss those guys and I love them so much," said Holt, who also played three MLB seasons with the Indians and Reds before he returned to FSU and earned his undergraduate degree in sport management in 2019.

"We all picked up where we left off. Besides the game, it means more to me with the relationships I have with them than the wins and losses."

Still, it was an important series win for the Eagles, who last appeared in the NCAA Tournament in 2016. They also won their opening ACC series against then-No. 10 Virginia Tech last weekend. Holt liked his team's approach at the plate for the most part.

"We can do things the right way, just having the complete offense," Holt said. "I think our two-strike approach needs to get a little better, and I think we need to stop being a little too pretty on pitches that are away. I think we can attack the zone a little bit better and not leaving it up to a 3-2 or 0-2 counts."

Holt still thinks highly of the Seminoles, too, citing their youth.

"When they get hot, they are scary," Holt said. "They throw strikes, put barrels on balls, they going to be a dangerous postseason team. It was (a good trip). I saw some family and friends.

"It's always a good reset, refresher going back up north."

This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: BC beats FSU to win ACC series in former Seminoles star Holt's return