Shakespeare himself couldn't have done a much better job writing this script.
With its victory over Coastal Carolina on Sunday, the ASU baseball team advanced to the NCAA Tournament's Super Regionals, where it will face off against one of two teams - either UA or Cal State Fullerton.
Both are at or near the top on the most-hated list for ASU baseball fans. Cal State Fullerton has played a part in knocking the Sun Devils out of the postseason for three of the past four years. UA, along with being the intrastate rival, defeated ASU four out of five times this season and went to the coveted College World Series last year.
ASU coach Pat Murphy would love a matchup with the Wildcats.
"It would be awesome for college baseball, awesome for the community, and awesome for our fans and for our players," he said.
A matchup with Fullerton would almost certainly send ASU on the road, as the Titans are a higher seed. But if UA wins, the team gaining home field advantage could be a toss-up. While UA has a better record and finished higher in the Pac-10, ASU has better facilities and would draw a larger crowd.
It would be up the NCAA to make that decision if and when the time comes.
Devils to learn their fate
Today is the first day of the Major League Baseball draft, and multiple ASU players are expected to be taken by major league clubs.
Junior left fielder Travis Buck leads the list, as he is a projected first- or second-round pick. Buck is seen as one of the more polished players in the draft, and his successful stint on Team USA last summer while using a wooden bat will help ease fears of a transition from college to the professional ranks.
Seniors Jeff Larish, Jason Urquidez and Tuffy Gosewisch will all most likely be drafted as well.
Larish seems to have improved his draft stock from last season - when he went in the 13th round to the Los Angeles Dodgers - but probably won't command the same signing bonus money he turned down last year. Los Angeles offered him a reported $660,000 bonus but Larish decided to return for his senior season instead.
Junior pitchers Erik Averill and Brett Bordes could also get some consideration, but are generally thought to be returning to ASU next year.
Tempe All-Regional Team
Five Sun Devils were named to the Tempe All-Regional team on Sunday. Averill and Gosewisch highlight the list, as they were named co-Most Outstanding Players.
Averill allowed three runs in his fourth complete game of the season Saturday, and Gosewisch batted .500 with four doubles and 10 RBIs in his three games.
Larish, freshman center fielder J.J. Sferra and sophomore left fielder Colin Curtis were named to the list as well.
Reach the reporter at kyle.odegard@asu.edu.