He took a ball to the face. He's a postseason ace. How this pitcher keeps marching forward
Nick Parker enjoys pitching on the biggest stages.
That's his best explanation for his postseason success.
The Dallastown grad has had ups and downs in his five-year college baseball career. He entered this season with a career 4.81 ERA — yet he led Coastal Carolina to NCAA Tournament victories in two appearances in 2019 and 2022. He had perhaps the best performance of his career in his final start for Coastal in last year's tournament, striking out 10 batters over eight shutout innings in a 9-1 win over East Carolina.
One year later, Parker was facing the same opponent for a new team. The now University of Virginia hurler once again reached a similar level of dominance in perhaps a more critical situation. Parker gave up just one run over seven innings in a nail-biting 2-1 win over East Carolina in the NCAA Tournament. He struck out five and walked just one in the victory.
"I love the energy that the stadium brings in the postseason," Parker said. "It helps me to be more focused and dialed into what I'm trying to do."
That win was one of three victories that helped Virginia advance to the NCAA Super Regionals ― college baseball's Sweet 16 ― at home this Friday. If the Cavaliers win a three-game series against Duke, they'll advance to the eight-team College World Series in Omaha.
The 23-year-old Parker will be pitching in the Super Regionals for the first time and narrowly avoided facing his old team. Coastal Carolina lost to Duke in the regional final Monday.
While his postseason performances the past two seasons look similar, Parker is adamant he's not the same pitcher this season he was in the past. The results support that statement. Parker is 8-0 with a 3.78 ERA and 74 strikeouts in 69 innings — easily the best season of his career.
He said he's not worried about his college career coming to an end or what team he's facing. He's focused on his next start. That might sound cliche, but it's the same mindset Parker has preached since his high school days.
It's helped him overcome adversity numerous times from a rough start to his freshman season to a scary injury this March.
"I take everything for what it is," he said. "You've got one game in front of you and you do your routine. I have my mindset that I've honed in on and how I approach these games. Nothing changes in my mindset of attacking guys."
Learn more about Parker: Dallastown star's passion for baseball fueled by his mother
'Never been timid'
It happened in a split second, but for Parker it was in slow motion.
On March 24, he was pitching against Florida State when the third batter of the game ripped a line drive up the middle and right into his face. Parker laid writhing on the ground before coaches helped him off the field, his locks of hair only partially concealing his dazed face.
"I saw it the whole way," he said. "It sounds crazy but there's no better way to explain it than slow motion. I never experienced any pain, which is wild. I knew I got hit and then I was kind of just on the ground."
The terrifying moment was almost as lucky as it was unlucky. Parker's check bone was broken, but his nose and eyes were fine. He didn't get a concussion and didn't need any plates put in.
He had surgery four days later to repair his facial structure. He was back on the mound April 8 against Miami.
The video is difficult to watch, and Parker has not seen it. He said he had "no deep thoughts" about his career being affected. When asked whether he was scared to pitch after the injury, he answered quickly.
"Nope. Not once. Never been timid or shy."
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A new opportunity
That familiar mindset of moving forward is what led Parker to Virginia this season. He graduated from Coastal Carolina in 2022 with a degree in business management. He could've walked away from college baseball on the high of his outstanding NCAA performance.
But he never considered declining the additional year of eligibility extended to all college athletes because of COVID. For him, it was an opportunity. So was joining a new school in a Power Five conference with a similar history of success to Coastal Carolina. Virginia last won the College World Series in 2015 while Coastal won in 2016.
"I kinda wanted to challenge myself," he said. "Some people just have four years, and that's all you know. I left (Coastal) on great terms and it was just an experience thing. I wanted to explore what was out there."
One of six grad transfers on Virginia's roster, Parker had little trouble transitioning to a team that is now 48-12 this season. Ranked No. 9 in the country in the last USA Today's coaches poll, the Cavaliers are favored this weekend but face a tough pitching staff against Duke.
Regardless of the outcome, Parker hopes this isn't the final weekend of his career. Having finished a one-year master's program in education, his goal is to get drafted or sign with an MLB organization next month. While the 6-foot-1 right-hander doesn't have the physical makeup of a typical big league pitcher — his fastball tops out around 90 miles per hour — he has continued to get better.
As always, he's still thinking about his next start.
"My slider has evolved. My curveball has evolved. I'm using my pitches differently," Parker said. "We'll see what the rest of this season holds, and we'll figure out what's next after that. It'll be an interesting journey, but for now I'm still right here."
Matt Allibone is a sports reporter for GameTimePA. He can be reached at 717-881-8221, mallibone@ydr.com or on Twitter at @bad2theallibone.
This article originally appeared on York Daily Record: Nick Parker helps lift Virginia baseball into NCAA Super Regionals
