[Tuck4Bama]

In previous seasons South Carolina would have three weekends to get warmed up for its first series against Clemson, allowing the Gamecocks to line up an appetizer’s row that included the likes of Elon, Radford, Duquesne and Eastern Michigan.

Not this year.

Because of an NCAA rule change, Clemson and South Carolina are springing forward into the state’s most exciting college baseball weekend with only a handful of games under their belts.

In a move to help cold-weather schools in the Snow Belt, the NCAA implemented a uniform start date of Feb. 22, two weeks later than in past years. Teams will play the same number of games (56) in the condensed schedule, but many will add a number of midweek dates to make up for the lost weekends in early February.

GoGamecocks.com | Rivals lament late start and shorter prep time