SAN FRANCISCO – The SF State softball team will finally begin its 2015 season on Wednesday when it hosts a split double-header taking on Academy of Art at 9 a.m.  They wrap up the day facing Holy Names at 1:00 p.m.  On Friday the Gators will begin CCAA action taking on UC San Diego in a four-game series starting at 1:00 p.m. at the Triton Softball Field.  There will be live stats for all six contests.
 
The Gators (0-0) were set to participate in the Cal State Stanislaus hosted Best of the West Tournament last Saturday and Sunday, but all four games were cancelled due to the rain in Turlock.  The Gators return 13 letter winners from last year's young team that went 19-36.  In the field SF State returns seven starters including Second Team All-CCAA honoree Jennifer Lewis as well as senior shortstop Courtney Gravel who enters this season with 148 career-hits which is just shy of the top-10 in SF State history.
 
In the circle the Gators return four pitchers that accounted for 78 percent of their innings thrown from last season.  Highlighting the list of returners is sophomore starter Megan Clark.  Clark led the Gators in wins (9), inning pitched (142.0) and strike outs (70) in an impressive freshman campaign.  The Gators also welcome back Courtney Dunkel and Jenny Obbema who both had career year's throwing for SF State. 
 
Academy of Art enters Wednesday's game with a 1-1 record after splitting a double header against Cal State East bay last Thursday.  The Urban Knights lost game one 4-3 before taking the nightcap 8-6.  As a team, Academy of Art is hitting .328 with 11 runs scored.  Sophomore outfielder Hallie Curtis leads the team with a .667 batting average.  In the circle freshman utility player Brenna Mitchell is 1-0 with a 1.40 ERA.  In her first career start against the Pioneers she threw 6.1 innings of two run ball.
 
In the nightcap the Gators will host Holy Names.  The Hawks were predicted to finish 11^th in the Pac-West Pre-Season Coaches' poll.  They return their top-hitter from 2014, sophomore utility player Lyveana Ilayan who hit .310 in her freshman campaign. 
 
The Tritons enter this weekend's series with a 5-1 record after sweeping a four-game series against visiting St. Martin's.  As a team, the Tritons are hitting .297, and averaging 2.1 runs per game.  Lauren Sanders and McKenna Clewett lead the team with seven hits apiece.  Sanders has two home runs on the young season, while Clewett has three doubles.  In the circle the Tritons' boast a 1.07 ERA.  Senior RHP Mo Omori is 2-0 with a 0.56 ERA.
 
For in game updates and updates on all 12 of SF State's athletic teams be sure to follow the Gators on twitter @SFStateGators.


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Gator Athletics has a proud tradition of competitive success within the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA). The department offers 12 intercollegiate sports programs: Baseball, Men's and Women's Basketball, Men's and Women's Cross Country, Men's and Women's Soccer, Softball, Women's Track & Field, Women's Volleyball and Men's Wrestling.

Gator Athletics places great emphasis on academic performance as well as athletic achievement. The program offers student athletes the opportunity to reach their educational goals, as well pursue meaningful athletic accomplishments.  For more information, visit SF State Athletics' website, Twitter and Facebook pages.