Tag: Jackson Van De Brake

Diamond Heels rack up 19 runs in last game before 6-day break

Can the Diamond Heels’ offense carry them to their first College World Series title?

The North Carolina Tar Heels sport one of college baseball’s best offenses, with their bats carrying them through a historic season.

UNC is mashing .307 as a team, which ranks 30th in the nation. Infielder Gavin Gallagher leads the charge with a .374 average, Vance Honeycutt’s 18 home runs make him one of four Diamond Heels in double-digits, while Casey Cook’s 60 RBIs lead nine players in double-digits.

North Carolina had a midweek game against William and Mary on Wednesday, May 1.

If you haven’t guessed it by the way this story started, UNC’s offense carried them against the Tribe.

Jackson Van De Brake was one of three Diamond Heels to hit a home run on Wednesday, a fourth-inning grand slam that drove in North Carolina’s final four runs, as part of a 19-2 domination in seven innings before a 6-day break for exams.

UNC (35-11, 17-7) tied UVA atop the ACC with its 35th win, which is one off its 2023 total.

The Diamond Heels started their offensive barrage with a 9-run first inning, which started with a 3-run round-tripper from Georgia transfer Parks Harber. Coincidentally, Harber drove in Casey Cook for North Carolina’s ninth and final run of the opening frame.

Gallagher brought Alex Madera across home plate with his second-inning single, making it 10-0, then UNC extended its advantage to 15 in the third inning with a Honeycutt home run, Cook scoring on a wild pitch, Luke Stevenson walking and Colby Wilkerson doubling to left field.

The Diamond Heels’ pitching staff deserves a lot of credit for the victory, too, as starter Ben Peterson struck out five batters – and allowed just three hits – in five innings. William and Mary’s only two runs came in garbage time, on a seventh-inning single from center fielder Ben Parker.

North Carolina does not play again until Tuesday, May 7 against Campbell, which kicks off its final homestand of the season. UNC scored four ninth-inning runs to down the Camels (27-16, 8-10 CAA), 7-3, back on March 5 in Buies Creek.

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Mac Horvath and Jackson Van De Brake named to second-team All-ACC

North Carolina Tar Heels Mac Horvath and Jackson Van De Brake were named to second-team All-ACC.

North Carolina Tar Heels Mac Horvath and Jackson Van De Brake have been selected to the All-ACC second team.

Horvath and Van De Brake have been pivotal for the Diamond Heels this year, becoming a force in the ACC. Horvath had a remarkable regular season, writing his name in the history books as the first Tar Heel with 19 RBIs in a four-game stretch. Horvath also became the second ACC player since 1999 to have 20 home runs, 20 stolen bases, and 20 doubles in a single season.

Van De Brake became one of the best second basemen in the ACC this season, finishing with a team-high 68 hits, leading all second basemen in the conference.

The pair joins ACC’s defensive player of the Year Vance Honeycutt as Tar Heels to crack one of the three All-ACC teams. It’s no secret they will be counted on as they look to bring the ACC championship back to Chapel Hill for the second year.

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