Colin Holderman, former Heartland baseball player, was called up to the big leagues yesterday, officially making him the first Hawk in the major leagues. 

Holderman, a Bourbannis native, played at Heartland in 2016. While at Heartland, he was named NJCAA DII Player of the Year as a freshman. Holderman posted a .489 batting average and .565 on-base percentage, both in the top five of DII ranks. Holderman also finished his freshman season with an .831 slugging percentage, blasting 16 doubles, three triples, and 13 home runs. Holderman also led the team in runs scored, with 68, while adding 58 RBIs.

Along with a monster year at the plate, Holderman was also a force on the mound. During his freshman season, Holderman started 12 games for the Hawks and finished the season with an 8-1 record. Holderman posted an ERA of 1.57, ranking seventh in the nation. Holderman also racked up 92 strikeouts in his 74 1/3 innings pitched, landing him in the top 15 in the nation. 

After Heartland, rather than transferring to Mississippi State, Holderman opted to sign with the Mets as a ninth-round pick in the 2016 MLB Draft. Since 2016, Holderman has worked his way through the minors. In 2017, Holderman had Tommy John surgery that halted his career until 2019. Holderman worked his way to Class AA by 2021 and officially got the invitation to spring training with the Mets this year.

After being called up Sunday morning, Holderman wasted no time getting into his first major league game. Trailing 8-5, Holderman would pitch the ninth inning for the Mets. Holderman allowed two hits and struck out one in a scoreless inning of work. The Mets would score two runs in the bottom of ninth and strand the bases loaded, to come just a hit away from giving Holderman his first big league win. The Mets would eventually fall 8-7 to the Mariners. 

Congratulations to former Hawk, Colin Holderman, on this amazing achievement!