SAN FRANCISCO — The San Francisco State baseball team takes the field on February 1 when the Gators host Azusa Pacific in a four-game non-conference series at Maloney Field.

SF State is led by third-year Head Coach Tony Schifano. The Gators will look to build off a strong finish in which SF State won five of its final eight games in 2017 in Schifano's second year at the helm. Matthew Hernandez returns for his senior campaign after he posted a 2.25 ERA en route to 2017 All-CCAA Honorable Mention. The right-handed pitcher will lead the rotation along with fellow senior Dillon Houser. They will be joined by freshmen right-handers Tyler Franks and Joshua Romero. Senior second baseman Zac Neumann has the team's highest returning batting average (.287/.341/.322). Sophomore outfielder Jack Harris, who led the team a year ago with six homers, and sophomore shortstop Jackson Kritsch, who was tied for the team lead with six stolen bases, will both look to improve upon their rookie campaigns.

SF State picked to finish 10th in the 12-team conference while Azusa Pacific, ranked No. 25 in the NCAA Division II Collegiate Baseball Top 25 Poll, is picked to finish second in the PacWest. CCAA action begins on Friday, Feb. 16 at No. 7 UC San Diego, the reigning NCAA Division II West Region champion and 2017 national runner-up.

The Gators' home venue, Maloney Field, has also seen its share of improvements, including a new sound system, new dugout benches, plus a new scoreboard is set to be installed. Additionally, admission to all regular season SF State home games at Maloney Field will be free for the 2018 season.