BT Riopelle shares relationship with Virginia's Nick Parker

There is a bit of a reunion taking place on Friday at the College World Series. Florida‘s BT Riopelle will be going up against Virginia pitcher Nick Parker. The two were former roommates at Coastal Carolina before entering the NCAA transfer portal. Now, they are facing off in Omaha on college baseball’s biggest stage.

Riopelle was asked about his relationship with Parker, saying he is a “fantastic guy.” There was nothing but nice words to say about Virginia’s Friday starting pitcher, having the ultimate respect for him.

“Well, Nick Parker, I was roommates with him my freshman year,” Riopelle said. “Fantastic guy. A really good motor and drive and really wants to be successful. He is a tremendous competitor.”

We then got a scouting report on Parker from Riopelle. After all, by being a catcher, Riopelle knows what Parker is going to want to throw.

Four different pitches will be heading the Gators’ way, with most of them being in the strike zone. Do not expect to get to the bullpen early in the game either, with Parker having the stamina to go late in games.

“He throws four good pitches for strikes,” Riopelle said. “He doesn’t have the most lights-out stuff in the world, but you know what you are going to get every single day. He is going to throw strikes. He is going to go long, long in games or pitch a long time in a game.

“He is going to hold runners. He has a really good pick-off move. He is going to field his position very well. He is a guy that’s going to control the game when he is out there. That’s something that we know. I know and have seen firsthand. We’ve seen on film as well.”

Riopelle is on the other side as well, having to deal with the Virginia lineup. The Cavaliers have one of the best offenses remaining in the College World Series, not afraid to hit a few home runs. That’s going to be consistent with any team still remaining at this point of the season though,

“They have a fantastic lineup,” Riopelle said. “They’re leading the country or — what was it? Top five in batting average and doubles and whatnot. They’re a very good contact-hitting team. They can run the ball out of the yard, play clean defense, and pitch the ball very well.

“Any team that you are going to have in Omaha is going to be like that, so you have to be on your best A-game and play your best baseball at the right time, and we’re going to try to do that tomorrow.”