Wednesday night's game postponed

OMAHA, Neb. - The challenge of making the championship series just became a little bit tougher. Due to bad weather in the area, Wednesday night’s game against Kent State was postponed until Noon EDT on Thursday. The game will be shown on ESPN2.

The Gamecocks (46-18) will now have to win three games in 33 hours to advance to the championship series.

Heavy rain showers began at TD Ameritrade Park Omaha approximately an hour before first pitch. The rain subsided around the scheduled start of first pitch but there was a considerable amount of work to be done on the field, plus more rain was in the area.

Rain, again, began to pelt the field around 8:30 local time, 90 minutes after the scheduled start, prompting the postponement.

“I don’t think (the delay) matters,” South Carolina head coach Ray Tanner said. “I was in the room where the radar was with all the NCAA people. Coach (Scott) Stricklin and I were very comfortable that this is the best decision they could make. Whoever wins our game will have a little momentum going into the night game.”

The forecast is clear for the duration of the tournament and NCAA official elected to have one team play a doubleheader instead of stretching out the tournament. Florida State and Arizona will be played at 5 p.m. EDT with the South Carolina- Kent State winner facing Arkansas at 9 p.m.

“Earlier I was hoping we could play but there was another cell out there,” Tanner said. “We may get it started, may have a delay or two delays. Tomorrow looks like it’s going to be clear. Whoever wins is going to have to play tomorrow night but it’s baseball; that’s part of it.”

Lineups were passed out prior to the rainout indicating what Tanner said on Tuesday that freshman Jordan Montgomery will start on the mound for the Gamecocks. Tanner, however, wasn’t sure immediately upon postponement whether that play would stick.

As of 10:30 p.m. EDT, Tanner said that it could be Montgomery or senior Michael Roth against Kent State. The decision could be made on Wednesday night or the team may announce on Thursday prior to the game.

“We’ll go back and talk it over,” Tanner said, indicating he’ll discuss the decision with pitching coach Jerry Meyers. “We’ll make a decision and we’ll be ready to go at 11 a.m. (central time). I’ll go back and talk to coach Meyers and let you guys know in a little while.”

Freshmen Kyle Martin and Grayson Greiner were scheduled to start at designated hitter and catcher, respectively, but that, too, could change.

A Kent State official confirmed that scheduled starting pitcher, sophomore Tyler Skulina, would still be the starter for the Golden Flashes.

Fans must keep their tickets from tonight’s game (Game 10) for admission into tomorrow’s game. There are no refunds on tickets as games will be played.