It seems everyone at the Mountain West Conference Tournament is eager to see San Diego State's Stephen Strasburg take the mound.

It's understandable. Strasburg has been the most dominating pitcher in the nation the past two months. Two days into the tournament and everyone's still waiting to see him.

“Everybody's upset,” said SDSU coach Tony Gwynn. “The scouts, everybody. . . . When you have a guy like him, this is what you're going to get.”

Scouts began jockeying for position more than two hours before yesterday's game against BYU. A television producer from The Mtn. asked about Strasburg before the game. Even a conference official inquired.

But Strasburg, who pitched Thursday against Cal State Fullerton and is accustomed to a week's rest between starts, didn't feel right before the game at TCU's Lupton Stadium.

“We had planned to pitch him today,” said Gwynn. “The guy's a valuable commodity and if he's not ready, doesn't feel like he can go, then I'm not going to put him out there.”

Sophomore left-hander Nate Solow was a more than suitable stand-in. Solow (6-7) allowed four hits and struck out six in 8 2/3 innings before Shane Kaufman came on to get the final out in a 1-0 victory that eliminated the Cougars (22-36) from the tournament.

“Solow had just beaten BYU (two weeks ago), and today he threw even better,” said Gwynn. “I had no qualms throwing him. . . . He challenged guys. He pitched inside great. More than anything, he kept his composure.”

Brett Tanos' RBI single in the seventh inning made the difference.

SDSU (31-27) plays Utah (24-27) this morning at 9 (San Diego time) – with Strasburg scheduled to start – in an elimination game. The Utes fell into the losers' bracket with an 8-2 loss to New Mexico (33-23). If the Aztecs win, they play UNLV (22-36), which lost 9-3 to top-seeded TCU (40-16), later today.

USD earns WCC honors

USD junior left-hander Brian Matusz was a unanimous choice as West Coast Conference Pitcher of the Year, leading a group of 10 Toreros who earned all-conference honors.

Matusz, who was 6-1 in WCC play with a 1.89 ERA and 67 strikeouts in 52 1/3 innings, was joined on the All-WCC team by USD pitchers Josh Romanski and A.J. Griffin, catcher Logan Gelbrich and outfielder James Meador. Pitchers Kyle Blair and Sammy Solis were selected to the All-Freshman Team. First baseman Jose Valerio, second baseman Kevin Hansen and outfielder Kevin Muno earned honorable mention.

USD's Rich Hill was selected WCC Coach of the Year for the second straight season.