SAN FRANCISCO – The SF State softball team wraps-up its 16-game home stand on Wednesday playing a double header against visiting Western Oregon.  The two-game non-conference series will begin a busy week for the Gators who travel to Turlock to participate in the annual Tournament of Champions hosted by Cal State Stanislaus.

SF State enters this week's games batting .252 as a team, and average 2.5 runs per game.  Last weekend the Gators lost three of four to vising Cal State San Bernardino, but have won three of their last six overall.

Freshman Sara Higa leads the team with a .370 average and her 17 hits is third on the team.  On Saturday, the Coyotes could not get Higa out, who went 4-for-6 with three runs scored, all of her hits went for extra bases as she clubbed three doubles and her first career home run.

Also on Saturday, senior infielder Courtney Gravel collected two hits, she has 21 on the year giving her 169 for her career which puts her tied for 10^th all-time in SF State history.  Her 169 hits is tied with Nicole Hartfield (2004-07).  Gravel is hitting .318 on the year which is second on the team.

In the circle, the Gators sport a 4.77 ERA, in 168.2 innings they have allowed 237 hits, 115 earned runs and have issued 76 walks with 58 strike outs.  Leading the team with a 3.10 ERA is sophomore Megan Clark.  Over her last three starts, Clark boasts a 2-1 record, including 1.72 ERA.  During that stretch she has pitched 20.1 innings, scattering 17 hits, five earned runs.  In Saturdays' win over CSUSB she threw 8.0 innings of five hit ball, scattering a run to earn her second win of the season.

Wednesday's opponent, Western Oregon, enters this week with an overall record of 10-14.  On the road they are 0-2 and at a neutral location they are 3-11.  The members of the Great Northwest Athletic Conference are hitting .293 as a team, averaging 5.12 runs per contest.  The Wolves are led by senior outfielder Amanda Evola and sophomore infielder Kelsie Gardner, both players are hitting .404 with 35 hits on the year. 

In the circle the Wolves sport a 5.13 ERA, in 163.2 inning they have allowed 225 hits, and 120 earned runs.  Leading the team with a 4-6 record and a 3.08 ERA is junior RHP Alyson Boytz, in 72.2 innings she has surrendered 82 hits, 32 earned run, with 21 walks to 47 strike outs.

Game on of Wednesday's double header will start at 1:00 p.m. with the second half of the twin billing scheduled for a 3:00 p.m. first pitch.  Live stats will be available for both games and can be accessed on upcoming events section at the bottom of SFStateGators.com.

On Friday, the Gators will travel to Turlock, to participate in the annual Tournament of Champions hosted by Cal State Stanislaus.  The Gators are scheduled to play five games, three on Friday and two on Saturday.
SF State is in Pool C with Cal State Dominguez Hill, Cal State East Bay, Humboldt State, Saint Martin's and UC San Diego.  They will be taking on Azusa Pacific, Chaminade, Notre Dame de Namur, Western Washington, and Hawaii Pacific.

On Friday, the Gators will start the tournament taking on Azusa Pacific at 1:30 p.m.  Later that day they will battle Chaminade at 3:45 p.m. before wrapping up the day taking on Notre Dame de Namur at 8:00 p.m.

On Saturday, the Gators will play Western Washington at 12:15 p.m., they will conclude pool play by taking on Hawaii Pacific at 4:15 p.m.  Should the Gators win their Pool they will advance to Bracket play on Sunday. 

Last year at the Tournament of Champions, the Gators went 4-2 overall, going 4-1 in pool play before falling to Saint Martin's 3-1 in eight innings in the finale.  Aryn Guzman was named to the All-Tournament team.

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.