WOODBRIDGE, Ct. - When COVID-19 hit, Sebastian Holt feared the worse.

“I thought it might screw the recruiting process up,” explained Holt, who was considering Central Connecticut State and West Point at the time. “Central no longer had the money to pay me and with the lost season I didn’t have as much film for schools to see.”

But then Maine came into the picture.

“About a month ago they contacted my coach,” Holt noted. “They said they saw me on a PBR uncommitted spotlight video.”

Coaches at the American East Conference school were impressed with what they saw in the third-rated 2021 first baseman in New England.

“They liked that I had power from the left side and that I was athletic,” related the Amity Regional 17-year-old. “They liked that I could play multiple positions, had a good bat and can pitch.”

While no visit was taken due to the coronavirus, Holt took a virtual tour of the college which is five-and-a-half hours from his Connecticut home.

“I loved the facilities and the campus,” Holt said. “The scenery was beautiful and the baseball field was beautiful. All were of high quality.”

Intrigue from Maine in Holt came to a small degree a year ago.

“They had shown a little interest last summer, but we didn’t talk,” Holt said. “In talking to the coach now, I could tell that he wants me. I also liked that they have a lot of pipeline to major league baseball with a lot of players getting drafted since 2012.”

The desire to play at the next level has been there for Holt a long time.

“Since I was three-years-old I’ve dreamed of playing D-I baseball somewhere,” Holt reflected. “Then around 13U when I was entering high school it started to become realistic that I could definitely play Division I.”

Improvement has followed for Holt, who is expected to play first base and pitch at Maine, with third base and right field other possible positions..

“I’ve just been focusing on things to get better that will help get me to D-I baseball,” Holt said about where his game has improved of late. “It’s more mentally than anything. I’m more mentally tough than I was a year ago.”

One area of emphasis looms for Holt now that a commitment has been made.

“I want to keep improving at everything, but mostly speed,” the 6-3 225-pounder pointed out. “D-I baseball is so much faster, so I need to get quicker. But I want to improve at everything.”

Hard work took place after the spring baseball season was cancelled.

“I threw with my brother and hit off the tee every day,” Holt said. “I also lifted in the garage of a friend that had weights. Once the band was lifted, everyone on the high school team went to the field to work out.”

Physical therapy is expected to be the college major for Holt, who carries a 3.3 GPA.

“I feel I can bring strong leadership, good morale and good baseball talent to the program,” Holt noted. “I’m a good student in the classroom and never get in trouble.”

His parents have been the biggest supporters according to Holt, who was given a bat by his dad at the age of two.

“He took me to the field every day,” added Holt, who also credited his high school coaches and summer coaches with Ct Clubhouse as playing a big role in his development.

Making a college decision brings relief as his final year of high school gets ready to begin.

“It’s like a weight has been lifted off the shoulders,” Holt admitted. “Now I can go have fun my senior year and focus on winning a state championship.”