[New post] Pioneer High School junior Drew Van Court commits to play baseball at TCU | Athlete of the Week
Shaun Holkko posted: "Pioneer High School junior Drew Van Court announced Monday his intent to play baseball for Texas Christian University beginning in the spring of 2026. "Before I committed to Oregon State, I was talking to (TCU) too. I really liked their coaches but I h" Daily Democrat
Pioneer High School junior Drew Van Court announced Monday his intent to play baseball for Texas Christian University beginning in the spring of 2026.
"Before I committed to Oregon State, I was talking to (TCU) too. I really liked their coaches but I had never been to the campus so I chose a place that I knew. What really attracted me was the relationship that I had with the coaches before I committed," Van Court told The Daily Democrat on Tuesday. "TCU is a great place. It's a well established program.
"They know how to win and develop guys so I'm really looking forward to getting there."
The college sports landscape has dramatically shifted recently which has caused a lot of high school student-athletes to reconsider their future plans. Van Court was initially committed to play at Oregon State but decided to pivot after the Pac-12 Conference as we know it crumbled earlier this year.
"All of the conference stuff going on, it didn't feel like the right fit for me anymore," Van Court said.
Pioneer sophomore pitcher Drew Van Court attempts to pick-off a Zebra at first base during a 4-3 win against Lincoln in the quarterfinals of the CIF Sac-Joaquin Section Division III Baseball Playoffs on May 11 at Rotary Field in Woodland. (Shaun Holkko/Daily Democrat)
Pioneer sophomore pitcher Drew Van Court prepares to swing at a pitch during a 3-2 extra innings loss versus Central Catholic in the CIF Sac-Joaquin Section Division III Baseball Championship game on May 25 at Islanders Field in Lathrop. (Shaun Holkko/Daily Democrat)
Pioneer sophomore pitcher Drew Van Court attempts to pick off a Rams runner at first base during a 1-0 win at Casa Roble on April 14 in Orangevale. (Shaun Holkko/Daily Democrat)
Pioneer sophomore second baseman Drew Van Court leads off of third base during a 3-1 win against Patterson in the first round of the CIF Sac-Joaquin Section Division III Baseball Playoffs on May 9 at Rotary Field in Woodland. (Shaun Holkko/Daily Democrat)
Pioneer sophomore pitcher Drew Van Court screams in excitement after striking out a Rams batter to end an inning during a 1-0 win at Casa Roble on April 14 in Orangevale. (Shaun Holkko/Daily Democrat)
During the offseason, Van Court plays for the Alpha Baseball club alongside countless other college prospects.
"It's been a huge part of it. When you're surrounded by coaches that have the experience they have and playing in those big games over the summer, whether it be USA Championships or the WWBA, which is the biggest tournament of the year, it translates over to high school," Van Court explained. "You know how to deal with pressure and playing in those big situations."
Van Court pitched on varsity during each of his underclassmen years with the Patriots. As a freshman, he had growing pains adjusting to the high school level. Van Court recorded a 5.17 earned run average across 21.2 innings in 8 appearances and 4 starts (3-1).
"Freshman year, there was definitely a learning curve. The game sped up and I was playing against bigger guys. I was probably 150-pounds and you're going against almost grown men. It was different," Van Court recalled. "Sophomore year I kind of settled in and got comfortable. I was able to have a pretty good year last year."
Van Court greatly reduced his ERA to 2.10 in 2023 and did so with more playing time. As a sophomore, he pitched 36.2 innings, tallying a 5-2 overall record in 6 starts and 10 appearances. Van Court's play earned him a spot on the All-Golden Empire League team.
"He did come on strong offensively and that catapulted him into the all-league conversation," Pioneer coach Craig Marquez said in June. "He's a very good pitcher in the GEL. When you put on top of that, hitting as well, and playing in the lineup the other two days, it bodes well for his consideration for all-league and he was very well deserving."
Van Court pitched when the Patriots needed him most in 2023, earning three saves in four relief appearances. However, he itends to eventually start on the mound in college.
"Long term, I'm still focused on being a starter," Van Court proclaimed. "My stuff is what you want in a starter so that's my goal moving forward."
Pioneer went on a long playoff run this past spring, ultimately reaching the section title game. GEL MVP Carson Timothy, starting catcher Ryan Pearson and six other seniors departed the program after last season.
However, including Van Court, the Patriots return four players who received recognition from the GEL in 2023.
"It's going to be really fun, I'm excited to get out there this year with the boys," Van Court foreshadowed. "We obviously lost a couple of key seniors but I'm really confident in the team we have. We'll be able to swing it pretty well so it should be fun."
Pioneer's 2024 season begins on the road in Ceres against Central Valley on Feb. 28 at 3:30 p.m.
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