Aztecs’ ace in limbo

IRVINE — Will he or won’t he?

San Diego State Coach Tony Gwynn was adamant about not revealing whether junior pitching phenom Stephen Strasburg would start today against Virginia in the first game of the Irvine Regional at 4 p.m. at Anteater Ballpark.

But he might have inadvertently done just that Thursday after the Aztecs’ brief workout at UCI.

After showing some frustration with media inquiries about whether Strasburg — the projected No. 1 pick in the June 9 major league draft who is 13-0 with a 1.24 earned-run average and has 180 strikeouts in 102 innings this season — would get the opening-game start or be held until Saturday, Gwynn might have slipped when talking about Strasburg’s pitching prowess.

“He does what he has to do,” Gwynn said of the hard-throwing, 6-foot-5, 220-pound right-hander who has been called the best pitching prospect ever. His fastball has been clocked at more than 100 mph.

“And I’m sure [today at 4 p.m. against Virginia] is going to bring a different kind of challenge, because we really don’t know much about [the Cavaliers] other than what we see on their website and the scouting report,” Gwynn said. “But I’m sure [Strasburg] is going to go with his strengths, though he’ll be very aware of what the hitters are trying to do.”

For his part, Strasburg, who is being advised by Newport Beach super agent Scott Boras, said he was unaware of when he would pitch.

“It doesn’t really bother me,” said Strasburg, who has won his last nine starts with an 0.97 ERA and is 8-0 in games away from home with a 1.07 ERA this season. “They tell me to pitch; I’m going to pitch.”

Strasburg, who threw a no-hitter with 17 strikeouts against Air Force on May 8, and had 23 strikeouts against Utah in a 2008 game, has helped lead the Aztecs (40-21) to their first NCAA Regional appearance in 18 seasons.

When asked about the teams he might face in this regional, including top-ranked UCI (43-13) and defending national champion Fresno State (32-28), who square off tonight at 8, he appeared anything but intimidated.

“It’s a good challenge, but it’s a good challenge for them too,” He said. “Because when they see San Diego State, from the Mountain West Conference, they might not think much of us.

“But we’ve played good teams all year, so we’re up for anything.”

Fans who have snapped up tickets, as well as a national television audience viewing the live broadcasts from the Irvine Regional on ESPN, should be up for ogling the prized prospect.

“I think it’s great for our regional in general, because ESPN might not be here if he wasn’t here,” said UCI junior All-American closer Eric Pettis. “And we’ll sell a lot more seats. I think it’s great if we play him or if we don’t play him.”

Should Gwynn elect to start junior Tyler Lavigne (7-2 with a 3.32 ERA) today against Virginia (43-12-1), Strasburg would start Saturday, against either UCI or Fresno State.

“As a competitor, I would love to get the opportunity to face him,” said UCI senior shortstop Ben Orloff, the Big West Conference Player of the Year. “I’ve never seen him throw, but as a competitor, it’d be fun to face a guy people are saying might be the best amateur pitcher in the world, and the No. 1 overall pick.”

Gwynn said Strasburg is a one-of-a-kind talent.

“When you watch him pitch, two things are going to come out at you,” Gwynn said. “One: that it’s so polished as a 20-year old. And, two: how athletic he is.

“Temperament-wise, he’s just a mild-mannered guy, until he gets on that mound and then the competitive juices start to come out.”

TAKING THE HILL

UCI will start junior Danny Bibona (11-1, 2.65) tonight, while Fresno State Coach Mike Batesole said he had not decided whether he will start junior Matt Morse (4-2, 4.50) or freshman Derek Benny (4-3, 5.02).

Virginia Coach Brian O’Connor said the ACC Tournament champions will start sophomore Robert Morey (2-0, 3.25) today.

Batesole said UCI and Bibona will present a formidable challenge.

“We’re excited,” said the former Garden Grove High star, who added it was great to be back home in Orange County. “We get to play the No. 1 team in the country on their home field, against the best left-hander in the country, a first-team All-American.

But supreme challenges are something Batesole and the Bulldogs have become familiar with.

“The last four regionals we’ve been in have been the toughest ones, all four times,” Batesole said. “Fullerton and San Diego, last year in Long Beach and this one this year. So we’ve been there, done that and we’ve learned just to stay patient.

“We’re going to play our game. It doesn’t really matter who is in the other dugout.”

LINEUP SURPRISE?

UCI Coach Mike Gillespie said the Anteaters will be without outfielders Cory Olson (ankle) and Tommy Reyes (back) for the regional.

Gillespie said he had not finalized a lineup for tonight’s opener, but indicated that freshman Jordan Fox might start in left field, with junior Dillon Bell in right flanking senior All-Big West Conference center fielder Eric Deragisch in right.

Fox has appeared in just 21 games, with only four starts, but was three for four in the season finale Sunday at UC Santa Barbara.

“I have a short memory,” Gillespie said.

Bell, whose 47 games played this season include only 14 starts, also went three for four Sunday at UCSB.

Gillespie said sophomore Ryan Fisher might take one of the starting outfield assignments tonight.