*Editor's note: The ACC revised its baseball tournament schedule late Thursday. North Carolina will play Virginia Tech in a quarterfinal game starting at 10 a.m. today, not 2 p.m. as originally scheduled. The game will be televised on the ACC Network.
Jake Schaffner hasnt flinched as the challenges of better baseball competition have increased over the last three-plus years.
The 2023 Janesville Craig graduate first moved from being among the best high school players in Wisconsin to earning All-Summit Conference First Team honors his two years at North Dakota State University.
Schaffner, a standout in baseball, football and hockey at Craig, transferred to the University of North Carolina last spring.
The line drives and strong defensive play in the Atlantic Coast Conference have continued.
Schaffner leads the Tar Heels in runs (69), hits (75), triples (5), total bases (118) and stolen bases (24). His .354 batting average ranks second, and his 1.023 OPS, .557 slugging percentage and 15 doubles rank third.
The 6-foot-2, 175-pound junior isnt doing this on just any team, either. The Tar Heels are ranked No. 2 in the NCAA Division I rankings and the USA Today Coaches and Baseball America polls. Big Ten Conference power UCLA tops all three of those lists.
Georgia Tech won the ACC regular-season title and is No. 3 in the NCAA rankings. Third-place Florida State is ranked 11th.
Carolina blue looks as good on him as Craig blue.
Its been unbelievable so far, Schaffner said in a phone interview from Chapel Hill on Tuesday afternoon.
Part of Tar Heels leadoff punch
The left-handed hitting shortstop leads off for the Tar Heels. Another junior, centerfielder Owen Hull, bats second. The pair have combined for 116 runs scored, 104 RBIs, 35 doubles, and 12 home runs so far this season.
Its been a dream come true, Schaffner said of his and the Tar Heels success. I never thought wed be the second-ranked team in the country. Its been a blessing.
Schaffner is known for his ability make contact at the plate, especially with pitches in the strike zone. His .337 and .367 batting averages his first two seasons at North Dakota State and .354 average this season in the ACC have come after he averaged .433 in his three seasons at Craig High.
His walks have increased from 17 and 21 his first two college seasons to 37 this year despite facing stronger pitching.
Every pitcher throws 92-94 (mph), Schaffner said. Its very hard.
My plate discipline has improved a lot, he said. Ive walked a lot more. My coaches have worked with me in driving balls to the gap.
He has six home runs, including a leadoff shot on the first pitch of the game last Friday against North Carolina State. His six homers doubled his home run total from his first two collegiate seasons at North Dakota State.
Known for his range at shortstop, Schaffner has committed just three errors and has a .984 fielding average.
Decision coming up
Schaffner is eligible for the 2026 Major League Baseball amateur draft that will take place July 11-13 in Philadelphia.
In an scouting preview, Schaffner is ranked 113th in the prospect ratings, which would put him in the fourth round.
An excerpt from : “He has been a revelation with the Tar Heels, displaying more impact and quickness than anticipated. His on-base ability and scrappy play prompt comparisons to former UNC outfielder Kane Kepley, a Cubs second-rounder last year, though he won’t go quite as high in the Draft.
A left-handed hitter, Schaffner has good feel for the barrel and focuses on lashing line drives from gap to gap. He has a disciplined approach and rarely swings and misses, especially against fastballs. While he wont be a slugger, hes hitting the ball harder than ever this spring and could produce 10-12 homers annually with a healthy amount of doubles.
Schaffners front-foot hitting style leads to plus-plus home-to-first times, but hes more a plus runner with good instincts on the bases and in the field. Hes a rangy and extremely reliable defender at shortstop, though his arm likely will dictate a move to second base in pro ball.
The influx of NIL money in college athletics has made the decision to sign professional contracts difficult. Lower-drafted college athletes can now make more money playing college ball than in the minor leagues.
I really havent thought about that much at all, said Schaffner, who turns 22 on October 4. Im just focused on the end of the season and finishing strong.
He admitted staying in Chapel Hill for another season will be a strong consideration.
Ive made so many friends, he said. Its just been amazing down here. So, I really dont know what is going to happen. Whatever the decision will be, it is going to be a difficult one.
Family connection has been strong
Chapel Hill is about a 13-hour drive from Janesville. His parents, Tom and Sarah Schaffner, know the route well.
I usually have a visitor every single week, Schaffner said of family and friends. Its been great.
And with the ACC Network on most satellite packages, his Janesville fans have had the opportunity to watch many of the Tar Heel games.
My grandmother watches almost all the games, Schaffner said.
So far, that has been enjoyable viewing. The Tar Heels next game will be at 2 p.m. Friday in the ACC Tournament quarterfinals on the ACC Network.
If North Carolina wins, the Tar Heels semifinal game will be Saturday at 4 p.m. on the ACC Network. The championship game will start at 10 a.m. Sunday and be televised on ESPN2.
The 64-team NCAA Division I tournament field will be announced Monday. Regional play then begins Friday, May 30.
Schaffner and the Tar Heels cant wait.
Its been super fun this season, Schaffner said. And the fun is just getting started with the conference tournament and then regionals.
The progress continues.