FAYETTEVILLE - Arkansas is getting used to playing doubleheaders.

The Razorbacks (18-11, 4-5 SEC) will play their fifth doubleheader of the season when they face South Carolina (25-3, 6-3) today at Baum Stadium.

The teams’ scheduled Thursday night opener - set to be nationally televised on ESPNU - was postponed because of the threat of inclement weather, resulting in today’s doubleheader.

Today’s first game will start at 3:05 p.m. with the second game to start no earlier than 30 minutes after the opener ends. The series finale remains scheduled for 6:05 p.m. Saturday.

The decision to play a doubleheader today was based on an effort to play three nine-inning games in the series, according to an Arkansas news release.

When teams play a conference series scheduled for Thursday through Saturday, SEC rules stipulate teams may only play a doubleheader with nine-inning games Thursday or Friday. Multiple games Saturday have to be seven-inning games.

SEC rules also state a series that starts Thursday cannot extend to Sunday.

Tickets for Thursday night’s game are null and void, according to the UA release. Individuals who purchased single-game tickets for Thursday’s game may exchange them for a ticket to another game this season at the Razorback Ticket Center, subject to availability. Season and suite tickets for Thursday are not valid and may not be exchanged for future games. Tickets for today’s game will allow fans admittance to both games of the doubleheader.

The Razorbacks are 3-5 in their previous four doubleheaders this season, being swept by South Alabama and California, sweeping Mississippi Valley State and splitting at Mississippi State last Saturday.

South Carolina, tied with Florida atop the SEC standings and ranked No. 1 nationally by Collegiate Baseball and No. 2 by Baseball America, has won seven consecutive games, including a three game sweep of Tennessee last weekend.

Arkansas right-hander Trey Killian (1-4, 2.78 ERA) is scheduled to start today’s opener against South Carolina left-hander Jordan Montgomery (3-2, 4.30 ERA).

Left-hander Jalen Beeks (4-3, 1.27 ERA) is scheduled to start today’s second game for Arkansas against South Carolina left-hander Jack Wynkoop (5-1, 2.66 ERA).

Saturday’s pitching matchup is scheduled to be Arkansas right-hander Chris Oliver (2-3, 2.41 ERA) against South Carolina right-hander Will Crowe (6-0, 1.37 ERA).

Arkansas leads the all-time series with South Carolina 35-28, including 16-9 in Fayetteville. The Razorbacks swept three games from the Gamecocks in Columbia, S.C., last season.

Today’s game SOUTH CAROLINA AT ARKANSAS

WHEN 3:05 p.m. (doubleheader) WHERE Baum Stadium, Fayetteville RECORDS South Carolina 25-3, 6-3 SEC; Arkansas 18-11, 4-5 RANKINGS South Carolina is ranked No. 1 by Collegiate Baseball, No. 2 by Baseball America and No. 3 by USA Today.

SERIES Arkansas leads 35-28.

TICKETS Reserved $12, general admission $10 RADIO RSP statewide radio network. Not all games will be carried by affiliates. Check local listings.

INTERNET arkansasrazorbacks.com

PITCHING MATCHUP South Carolina: Game 1 Jordan Montgomery (LHP 3-2, 4.30 ERA) and Game 2 Jack Wynkoop (LHP, 5-1, 2.66). Arkansas: Game 1 Trey Killian (RHP: 1-4, 2.78 ERA) and Game 2 Jalen Beeks (LHP, 4-3, 1.27)

THE WEEK AHEAD

TODAY South Carolina, 3:05 p.m. (DH)

SATURDAY South Carolina, 6 p.m.

SUNDAY off MONDAY off

TUESDAY UNLV, 6:35 p.m.

WEDNESDAY UNLV, 6:05 p.m.

THURSDAY off

Sports, Pages 23 on 04/04/2014