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LSU and South Carolina square off this weekend in Columbia, SC in a series that not only features two top-ten teams, but could also produce the regular season conference champion.
The #9 Tigers (40-13, 17-10 SEC) have already won at least a share of the SEC West title, while the # Gamecocks (38-13, 17-9) are currently in second place in the East. Both teams are trying to leapfrog current SEC East and overall leader Kentucky who is 18-9 and playing at Mississippi State this weekend.
LSU and South Carolina are all but certain to be selected as host sites when NCAA Regional matchups are announced May 27, and South Carolina is in very good shape to host as a top-eight national seed as well. National seeds are guaranteed to host Super Regionals at home if they advance past the first round.
LSU, on the other hand, is on the bubble after a series lost last week to Vanderbilt. Two wins this weekend would be huge for the Tigers' chances going into the conference tournament in Hoover, AL next week.
The Gamecocks have won fourteen of their last sixteen SEC games, and have won their last six series (Game 3 last week against Georgia was canceled due to rain).
The Tigers have won seven of their last eight games against USC, including a series sweep in Baton Rouge, two SEC Tournament wins, and a 2-1 series win at South Carolina.
Thursday's matchup was rain delayed, so they will play a double header on Friday with first pitch at 2:30, and finish things up on Saturday.
