One reason for the early-season success of N.C. State’s baseball team (7-1 overall) has been the emergence of junior outfielder Bubby Riley. Riley, a transfer from Delgado Community College in Louisiana, is hitting .313 with five RBIs in eight games to start the season. The Technician caught up with Riley to find out more about the New Orleans native.

Technician: You transferred to N.C. State from Delgado Community College. How and why did you come to State?

Riley: “I thought that [State] was my best offer coming out of junior college. They were the best program, especially with the nucleus of guys that they had coming back. I just thought it was the best place for me to come and fit right in.”

Q: How did you get the nickname Bubby?

A: “My dad had a dog named Bubba, who was a really hyper dog. When I was a kid I was really hyper, so they started calling me Bubba. Then the movie Forrest Gump came out and my mom said she couldn’t call me Bubba anymore, because she would think of the scene where Bubba Gump died and it would make her sad. So it turned into Bubby.”

Q: You were selected by the Chicago Cubs in the 40th round of the 2013 MLB Draft. What factored into your decision to come back and play college baseball instead of turning pro?

A: “I got drafted late, and I was leaning the whole time to come back to college. I think that factored into why I was drafted so late. I kind of let scouts know that I wanted to come to State and this is exactly what I was looking for, to come out here with this team and win games.”

Q: You have stepped in and contributed immediately for the Wolfpack. How have you adjusted so fast to Division 1 pitching?

A: “Whenever I talk to my junior college coach, he’ll tell me the same thing: ‘It’s the same game whether you are playing Division 1 or junior college. It’s still 60 foot-6 inch mound and 90 foot bases.’ I’ve just kept my same approach and played hard every day and good things will happen.”

Q: Have you ever had to deal with snow cancelling a game before?

A: “No, actually before I came to N.C. State I had never seen snow before. We were all outside playing in it. I was like a little kid in a candy store. I had never seen snow like that. I like it when it’s not cancelling games.”

Q: What are some differences between the coaching staff at N.C. State and Delgado C.C.?

A: “Practices are a lot less intense in junior college; it’s more of a laid back atmosphere. Here you have to play hard every day and coaches are getting on you. I like that though, it makes you a better player.”

Q: You were high school and junior college teammates with junior catcher Luke Voiron. How has your relationship with him helped you mold with the team?

A: “It made it a lot easier to come here with one of your best friends, and it made the transition from Louisiana to North Carolina way easier.”

Q: What’s the best thing about N.C. State?

A: “Just playing baseball here. That’s why I came here and it’s been everything I had hoped it would be so far.”

Q: What are your expectations for this year?

A: “I think it’s the same expectations as last year. Make it to the College World Series and win it. I think we have the team to do, we just have to come to the park every day and play hard.”