San Diego State ace Strasburg set to start against Virginia in NCAA regionals

Strasburg set to start for SDSU against Virginia

IRVINE, Calif. — Tony Gwynn could keep it secret only so long — San Diego State ace Stephen Strasburg is scheduled to start in the NCAA regionals against Virginia.

The Aztecs’ coach had been coy all week about whether Strasburg would start in SDSU’s first regional appearance since 1991. The school made it official with a brief statement several hours before Friday’s first pitch.

Strasburg’s electrifying fastball, which has topped 100 mph, helped carry him to a 13-0 record. He leads the nation with a 1.24 ERA and 180 strikeouts, and has only issued 19 walks in 102 innings.

Strasburg was the only amateur on last summer’s bronze medal-winning U.S. Olympic team and likely will be the No. 1 overall pick in next month’s draft.