Unlikely hero Jackson Van De Brake delivers in College World Series opener

OMAHA, Neb. — After senior designated hitter Alberto Osuna struck out for a second time, Scott Forbes approached assistant coach Jesse Wierzbicki. 

With UNC’s game against Virginia to open the Men’s College World Series knotted up in the fourth inning, the head coach asked Wierzbicki one question: if we need to pinch-hit for Osuna, what do you think? 

“I feel really good about Vandy,” Wierzbicki said. 

Team captain Jackson Van De Brake hasn’t recorded a hit in 22 days. After starting every game but one last season, the senior only started 18 during the 2024 campaign. Following a junior year that led to Second Team All-ACC honors, Van De Brake barely touched the field this season. 

But with the game tied 2-2 five innings later, Van De Brake approached the plate to lead off the Tar Heels. And as the UNC dugout and fans clapped over their heads in rhythm to “The Stroke” by Billy Squier, Van De Brake looked to prove Wierzbicki right. 

On a 2-2 count, the senior took a ball high in the zone and doubled down the right-field line. After graduate second baseman Alex Madera hit a sacrifice bunt and pushed Van De Brake to third, the pinch hitter scored the run that led to the No. 4-seeded Diamond Heels’ 3-2 victory against No. 12-seeded Virginia. 

But what led to this moment has been unexpected. Two years ago, the farthest the Yakima, Wash. native had traveled to was Montana. He had never been to North Carolina. 

After two seasons at Tacoma Community College, the journey to becoming a Division I baseball player donning Carolina Blue seemed unimaginable, but the Diamond Heels found the young player by chance. 

“I was just in the right place at the right time,” Van De Brake said. 

And Van De Brake proved himself during the 2023 season. 

The then-junior led the team in on-base percentage boasting a .439 average. He also ranked second on the team in multi-game hits at 20. Van De Brake’s .307 batting average pushed him to fourth highest on the team. 

But then came 2024. 

Through the first eight games of the season, Van De Brake only recorded two hits through 27 at-bats, with eight being strikeouts. 

First-year third baseman Gavin Gallaher quickly took his spot in the lineup and the captain resided on the bench. 

“[He] hasn’t gone like he’s wanted to,” head coach Scott Forbes said. 

In his new position, Van De Brake has shifted his mentality. 

“Obviously, my year if you look at the numbers or whatever, it is what it is,” Van De Brake said. “And at that point, I tell myself that there’s one thing I can do and that’s support my guys and help win baseball games.” 

So, after sitting for almost three hours in the dugout on Friday afternoon, Van De Brake stepped onto the biggest stage in college baseball. 

He walked calmly to the plate. He didn’t crack a smile but instead took a deep breath. He looked at his bat and drew a line in the dirt. 

Van De Brake’s teammates watched from the dugout. 

“He’s all we could ask for,” redshirt sophomore left fielder Casey Cook said. “He’s there for us. He’s cheering us on when we’re out there playing. It makes us extremely excited to see him come through and you don’t want it for anyone else other than Jackson.”

After two back-to-back strikes, Van De Brake bent his knees, stepped away from the box and took a practice swing. 

Even with his year not going as planned, Van De Brake knows one thing — he has to be ready for these moments. 

He placed the next pitch down the first baseline. The double proved the precursor to junior center fielder Vance Honeycutt’s walk-off single to secure the Tar Heels' first win in Omaha. 

“I play for those guys,” Van De Brake said. “Regardless of what my role is, I’m gonna do what I can for those guys.” 

After getting to second base, Van De Brake pointed to the dugout. As he took off his batting gloves, he finally cracked a smile. 

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