Heralds pitcher Izzy Holler surpasses 400 career strikeouts in win over Spartans

ASHTABULA — When Izzy Holler takes the mound, she said her only focus is throwing strikes.

Over the span of the last four years, the Saint John senior has gotten a lot of batters out that way.

Friday was the latest example, as Holler struck out 10 Conneaut batters in a a 4-2 county softball game at Massucci Field.

The Heralds improved to 6-5 overall and 4-2 in Northeastern Athletic Conference play, while the Spartans fell to 2-7 and 1-5 in the Chagrin Valley Conference Lake Division.

Holler surpassed the 400-strikeout mark in her high school career in the win.

“I never thought I’d strike out that many,” she said with a smile. “I’m very grateful to have been able to do it.”

Maybe she didn’t think it that was possible, but Heralds coach George Frasure did not seem surprised to see her reach that number.

“It’s a huge milestone for a girl who has battled through a lot of things the past couple of years,” the coach said.

Frasure said Holler works great with catcher Rylee Frasure.

Holler has also developed the mentality this year to go right at the stronger hitters in crucial situations.

“She has a really good relationship with her catcher,” coach Frasure said. “They just work so well together. It’s been nice because every big at-bat by players that have come against her this year, players that have been tough on her in the past.

“She told me ‘I’m going to battle everyone of them.’ She has been shutting people down in huge spots. She has a huge amount of confidence and she’s going out with nothing to lose.”

That confidence showed up in key moments against the Spartans Friday.

The Heralds jumped out to a 4-0 lead early in the game, but Conneaut chipped away with a run in the fifth and seemed one the verge of a big inning in the sixth.

Maddy Drew ripped a leadoff triple to start the inning and scored on a single by Lexi Colucci.

Another single by Bella Young followed by a well-executed sacrifice bunt from Chloe Boyle put the Spartans in prime position to tie the game up.

However, Holler struck out the next two batters to end the threat.

She surrendered a single to start the seventh inning, but Rylee Frasure threw out the runner on a steal attempt.

One out later, Holler issued a walk to Vina Sanford.

That brought Drew to the plate representing the potential game tying run.

Once again, Holler was able to get out of the inning on a fly to left to end the game and secure the win.

“I definitely feel comfortable in those situations, especially knowing I have the defense we have backing me up,” she said.

Holler allowed two earned runs on five hits and three walks, to go with the 10 strikeouts.

At the plate, she went 2 of 3, with a double and triple, and two RBIs.

Spartans coach Lexi Adams said a slow start Friday was tough to overcome.

“We were very sluggish and we didn’t pick things up until about the fifth inning,” Adams said. “By then it was to late.”

A three-sport star at Conneaut, before going on to play for Youngstown State, Adams said the potential has been evident with her team, it’s just a matter of maturing and learning to come together on the field.

“We have our moments,” the coach said. “We are a very inexperienced varsity team. The passion is there, it’s just disconnected because of the lack of playing experience. It’s not the same, but it can be. We’re just trying to find that.”

Both teams are scheduled to play home games Monday.

Conneaut takes on Jefferson and Saint John goes against Cardinal.