GAINESVILLE — JJ Schwarz and Mike Rivera's relationship precedes their time on UF's baseball team.
And it supersedes the game of baseball itself.
After working together on the 2013 USA 18U national team, a team that won the world cup in Taiwan the summer prior to their senior years of high school, the bond between Schwarz and Rivera has only blossomed.
And now, the two UF freshmen catchers are heading into their first NCAA Tournament as the No. 4 national seed Gators (44-16) prepare to host the Gainesville Regional this weekend. UF opens up against Florida A&M (23-23) Friday at 7 p.