Virginia Names Nick Parker as Starter for Opening CWS Game vs. Florida

Nick Parker will be the starting pitcher for the Cavaliers in their first game of the College World Series against the Gators on Friday night

Virginia will start graduate right-hander Nick Parker on the mound in its opening College World Series game against Florida on Friday night, as confirmed by UVA head coach Brian O'Connor in a press conference on Thursday afternoon. 

This will be Parker's fifth-career NCAA Tournament start, but first at the College World Series. Parker earned two NCAA Tournament wins in his time at Coastal Carolina before transferring to UVA for his final season. Parker dazzled on the mound in his start against East Carolina in the Charlottesville Regional on June 3rd, giving up just one earned run on five hits and only one walk to go along with five strikeouts in seven innings of work and leading the Cavaliers to a pivotal 2-1 win over the Pirates. In his last outing against Duke in game 1 of the Super Regional, Parker pitched 6.2 innings, giving up three earned runs on six hits, two walks, and four strikeouts. Parker exited the game with the lead, but Virginia ended up losing that game 5-4. 

READ MORE: Virginia Baseball: 2023 College World Series Preview

In 15 starts this season, Parker has an 8-0 record with a 3.81 ERA. He has recorded 78 strikeouts, 32 earned runs, and 21 walks in 75.2 innings pitched this season. 

Opposing Parker on the mound for Florida will be junior right-hander Brandon Sproat, as confirmed by Florida head coach Kevin O'Sullivan on Thursday. A Second-Team All-SEC selection this season, Sproat has an 8-3 record in 17 starts this season and a 4.69 ERA. In 96.0 innings pitched, Sproat has given up 50 earned runs on 76 hits and 40 walks and has recorded 120 strikeouts this season, 11th-most in the country. 

No. 7 seed Virginia (50-13) will open play at the 2023 College World Series against No. 2 seed Florida (50-15) on Friday, June 16th at 7pm ET at Charles Schwab Field in Omaha, Nebraska. The game will be broadcast on ESPN. 

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