SAN FRANCISCO – The SF State softball looks to get back into the win column this week when the Gators host Holy Names for a two-game non-conference series on Friday.  Game one of the series starts at 1:00 p.m. with the nightcap slated for a 3:00 p.m. first pitch.  Live stats will be available for both games.
 
SF State enters Friday's games with an overall record of 3-17.  Last weekend, the Gators battled but could not avoid the series sweep at the hands of conference foe Cal State Dominguez Hills.  But the series was not without some positive signs.  The Gators offense is starting to come around as team raised its overall batting average.  As a team, SF State is hitting .243 which ranks 10^th in the CCAA, over the last two weeks, the Gators bats have hit at a .283 clip, clubbing 17 of the teams 37 doubles.
 
The two hot-hitters for the Gators are senior shortstop Courtney Gravel and junior second baseman Marisa Andrade.  Gravel is leading the team in hits (19) and average (.328).  She currently sits just outside the career top-10 list for hits at SF State with 167, just two shy of the top-10.  Last weekend, Gravel went 7-for-12.
 
Andrade ranks second on the team with a .326 average, she is tied for second on the team with 15 hits and leads the team with nine doubles and seven RBI.  Against Chico State two weeks ago, she was absolutely on fire, going 8-for-12 with seven doubles in the series split.
 
In the circle, the Gators boast a staff ERA of 5.15 which is 10^th in the CCAA.  In 127.2 innings pitched the Gators have allowed 186 hits, 113 runs, 94 earned with 69 walks and 48 strike outs.  Sophomore Megan Clark leads the team with a 3.70 ERA, in 13 appearances she's made nine starts. 
 
Holy Names enter Friday's series with an overall record of 2-18.  The Hawks have lost seven-straight dating back to Feb. 28.  As a team, the Hawks are hitting .217, going 99-for-456 with just 10 doubles and four home runs.  Leading the team in hitting is Lyveana Ilayan who is hitting at a .289 clip.  She is second on the team in hits (13) but tops in RBI (12).
 
In the circle the Hawks sport a staff ERA of 7.47, in 118.0 innings pitched they have allowed 204 hits, 104 runs, 98 earned with 57 walks to 43 strike outs.  Opponents are hitting .379 against the Hawks.  Leading the team is Kayla Simonson who is 0-1 with a 4.00 ERA.  Vanessa Pulido and Karolanne Tipton have registered both a win.
 
This is the second time this season these two teams have squared off.  On February 11 the Gators hosted the Hawks for the 2015 home opener.  The Gators defeated Holy Names 3-0 on the strength of Courtney Dunkel's complete game four-hit shutout.  Lucy Fernandez also went 1-for-2 with a two-run double.
 
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.