Rule gives Hogs, Aggies 4 days to play 3 games if needed

In this May 23, 2014 photo, John Wagnon cleans the SEC logo before a game at the Southeastern Conference NCAA college baseball tournament in Hoover, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)

FAYETTEVILLE — For the only time this season, Arkansas’ three-game series at Texas A&M this weekend could be extended to a fourth day if necessary.

Last February, Southeastern Conference athletics directors approved a rule that can extend the final series by one day if weather prohibits teams from playing games on the final day of the regular season, but only if the postponed game could affect championship races or seeding for the conference tournament. In all other series, all three games must be played within a three-day window.

The No. 4 Razorbacks and No. 19 Aggies could their seeding for the SEC Tournament rise or fall with the outcome of this weekend's series, and there is potential for poor weather during the series finale Saturday. According to the National Weather Service, there is a 70 percent chance of rain and thunderstorms during the afternoon and evening hours Saturday in College Station, Texas.

If a game has to be played Sunday, it would have to start by 4 p.m. and would not be permitted to resume after 6 p.m., otherwise it would be classified as a rainout. There is a 20 percent chance of showers Sunday in College Station.

Arkansas (39-13, 19-8 SEC) has clinched a first-round bye at the SEC Tournament, and the Razorbacks are in contention to win the conference and division championships this weekend. Arkansas enters the series with a one-game lead over Mississippi State in the SEC West, and is one game behind Vanderbilt in the overall conference standings.

While it has been eliminated from championship contention, Texas A&M’s SEC Tournament seed could fluctuate drastically based on the results of the Arkansas series. The Aggies (34-18-1, 14-12-1 SEC) could finish as high as the No. 5 seed or as low as No. 10 seed.