South Carolina Baseball: Important schedule update for weekend series

EDIT: Another weather update has come available. Details can be found here.

As many South Carolina baseball fans already know, Thursday night’s series opener against Tennessee was postponed due to rainy weather in Columbia. The series carries enormous weight for the Gamecocks’ postseason fate as a series win likely puts Carolina in the top-16 seeds, resulting in Founder Park serving as a regional host. A series loss leaves things much less clear, and a (losing) sweep likely knocks Mark Kingston’s squad to a 2-seed, resulting in the Gamecocks having to travel for postseason play.

According to an official release from Gamecocksonline.com, with Thursday’s game getting moved for the weather, the Gamecocks and Volunteers are set to play a doubleheader on Friday before finishing the series on Saturday. With Friday morning rain subsiding around 11:00 AM, the first leg of the doubleheader is scheduled for 3:00. Game 2 will be played about one hour after the conclusion of game 1, and both contests will be full, nine-inning matchups.

For fans attending the games, tickets originally purchased for Thursday’s series opener will be able to be used for game 1 (3:00) on Friday. Thursday ticket-holders can stay for the second game of the doubleheader but will not have access to the seats from game 1. Friday ticket-holders can come early and attend the 3:00 first game, but they will not have access to seats until the second game. The berm/concourse areas and other standing-room areas will be open for each matchup for fans with tickets to either game.

Heading into the Tennessee series, Carolina has lost three-straight series (and two-straight mid-week games). The Gamecocks will need to play better as the offense struggled against Arkansas, and the defense was abysmal against Kentucky and Auburn.

Eli Jones is the only announced starter for the weekend, but Jack Mahoney is expected to start a game if he is not needed in relief of Jones in game 1. Matthew Becker is likely in line to start a game, as well, but with this series behind the final one before the SEC Tournament begins, every pitcher will be available out of the bullpen as wins are vital.

Will Sanders (lower body issue) and Will McGillis (arm soreness) are not expected to play this weekend to go along with longer-injured players like Noah Hall, Eli Jerzembeck, Jacob Compton, Ricky Williams, and Roman Kimball. Reliever Chris Veach’s health status is still unknown as he missed the Arkansas series and left the mid-week contest against Charlotte with hip discomfort.