Softball | 4/8/2015 12:17:00 PM

SAN FRANCISCO – The SF State softball team returns to action on Friday and resumes their conference slate, hosting Cal State Monterey Bay for a four-game series.  Game one of the series will start at 1:00 p.m. at the SF State Softball field, this will be the second to last home stand of the season for the Gators in 2015.

The Gators (10-30/5-19 CCAA) have gone 2-4 over their last six games.  They split last weekend at Turlock winning both of Saturday's games against host Cal State Stanislaus on the strength of great starting pitching.  On Monday, the Gators hosted cross-town rival Academy of Art and fell 2-0 and 8-7. 

As a team, SF State is hitting .265 with five starters hitting over .300, they have scored 114 runs on the year, averaging 2.85 runs per game.  Leading the team is Jennifer Lewis who is hitting .327.  Her 37 hits is tops on the team and is 27^th in the conference.  Over the last six games, Lewis is hitting .400 going 8-for-20 with two doubles, four runs scored and seven RBI.   

Hot on her heels is senior Courtney Gravel who hit .381 last weekend going 8-for-21 with six runs scored.  Her 181 career-hits ranks seventh all-time and is just seven hits behind fifth place.  Chelsea Brent has also had a great season.  She boasts career-highs in hits (34), doubles (nine) and total bases (43). 

In the circle the Gators sport a 4.29 ERA.  In 262.2 innings pitched they have allowed 161 runs, with 103 walks to 98 strike outs.  Last weekend the Gators received tremendous starting pitching from Megan Clark and Jenny Obbema.  Against the Warriors and Urban Knights, the pair combined to throw 35.2 innings, allowing just 12 earned runs with eight walks and 16 strike outs.  Obbema threw a complete game-four hitter against CSUS in the series finale to earn her third win of the season.

Cal State Monterey Bay enters this weekend's series with a 33-9 overall record.  They are currently second in the CCAA with a 17-7 mark.  As a team, they are hitting .353 averaging 6.16 runs per game.  Leading the team at the plate is utility payer Cori Rheinhardt, who boasts a .471 average, with 42 hits on the year.  She also has 16 doubles a triple and a home run.  Her 33 RBI is third on the team just behind Bianca Noriega's 41 RBI and Madison Castro's 39.

In the circle, the Otters boast a staff ERA of 2.55, in 269.1 innings pitched they have allowed 98 earned runs with 194 strike outs to 120 walks.  Reinhardt leads the team with a 20-2 record and a 1.84 ERA.  In 148.2 innings she has allowed 39 runs, struck out 71 and allowed 49 walks.  Lindsey Clarkson leads the with 115 strike outs in 107.1 innings pitched.

Game one of Friday's double header is scheduled for 1:00 p.m. with the second game slated for a 3:00 p.m. first pitch.  Saturday's double header is scheduled to start at Noon with game two set to go at 2:00 p.m.  All four games will feature live stats.  For in game updates 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.