SAN FRANCISCO --- With just two weekends of games left in the regular California Collegiate Athletic Association season, the last eight games for SF State are crucial in hopes of extending the season. The Gators still have a chance at making the conference tournament, but they need to get work done at home to give them the best chance they can get.

SF State has two things in its favor as the regular season concludes: the Gators are at home for both series and they are taking on teams lower in the standings. The Gators can't take that too lightly, however, as no team in the CCAA will just hand anything over, including SF State's next opponent Cal State San Bernardino--who comes off a four-game sweep over fourth-place Chico State.

The Gators (17-27, 9-19 CCAA) come into Friday's competition against the Coyotes after splitting with Cal State Monterey Bay. SF State was able to take two of the four games from the Otters, although it could have taken three. The Gators conceded late runs on the first day to surrender leads to CSUMB, but managed to take the lead back in the opener.

Ashley Huff leads the Gators from the batter's box with a .291 average off a team-high 37 hits. Courtney Gravel follows closely behind with a .287 average and team-high 17 runs, with Kylie Grabowski and Kelsey Murakami rounding out the top four SF State hitters. Grabowski, who leads the team with 18 RBIs, boasts a .274 batting average and Murakami holds a .270 average and is currently on an 11-game hitting streak, as well as a 14-game reached on base streak.

In the circle, Marisa Ibarra continues to stay strong on the piece of rubber, posting a 1.85 ERA, putting her fifth in the conference amongst fellow pitchers. Ibarra has thrown 97 strikeouts in 158.2 innings pitched, picking up seven shutouts in the process.

Cal State San Bernardino (17-29, 11-17 CCAA) comes off a strong weekend against Chico State, taking all four games in the close series, winning by just two runs or less. Alyssa Flores leads her team, as well as the conference, with a .436 batting average off 58 hits. Flores has knocked in a team-high 42 RBIs--fifth in the CCAA--and has blasted seven long balls. Defensively, the Coyotes have struggled to keep their opponent's runs down, posting a collective 5.90 ERA from the circle and being out-scored 297-to-176.

Fans can follow the Gators and Coyotes in action by tuning into the live stats, found at: http://www.sidearmstats.com/sfsu/softball/xlive.htm. Friday's competition is set for a 1 p.m. start time, with Saturday's action beginning at 11 a.m. and will also play host to Special Olympics Day.