Quite a regional for UCI

The NCAA baseball tournament selection committee didn’t seem to do any favors for UC Irvine, the nation’s top-ranked team.

But that doesn’t appear to be much of a concern for the Anteaters, the Big West Conference champions playing in their first regional at home.

“The team’s excited to host a regional,” UC Irvine pitcher Danny Bibona said. “We’ve gone on the road for the past few years for the postseason so we’re excited to be at home and to be playing in front of our fans. Everyone is saying we are in the toughest regional and we’re going to have a lot on our plate, but hopefully we will play to our potential and show people what UC Irvine Baseball is about.”

UCI (43-13), tabbed the No. 6 national seed Monday, will open against defending NCAA champion Fresno State (32-28), Friday at 8 p.m. at Cicerone Field at Anteater Ballpark.

San Diego State (40-21), which features star pitcher Stephen Strasburg, plays against Atlantic Coast Conference champion Virginia (43-12-1) Friday at 4 p.m.

The Anteaters are making their fourth consecutive postseason appearance and fifth in the last six years.

The winner of the Irvine Regional will advance to face the winner of the Oxford Regional, where Mississippi is hosting.

The Irvine Regional will be televised by ESPNU.

— From staff reports

Irvine Regional

Friday

Game 1: Virginia vs. San Diego State – 4:00 p.m.

Game 2: UC Irvine vs. Fresno State – 8:00 p.m.

Saturday

Game 3: Loser of Game 1 vs. Loser of Game 2 - 4:00 p.m.

Game 4: Winner of Game 1 vs. Winner of Game 2 - 8:00 p.m.

May 31

Game 5: Winner of Game 3 vs. Loser of Game 4 - 4:00 p.m.

Game 6: Winner of Game 4 vs. Winner of Game 5 - 8:00 p.m.

June 1

Game 7: Repeat of Game 6 (If Necessary) - 8:00 p.m.