SAN FRANCISCO – The San Rafael Pacific have announced that former San Francisco State baseball player Matt Kavanaugh will return as the team's manager for the 2018 season. Kavanaugh became the Pacifics' manager prior to the 2015 season and is the longest-tenured manager in franchise history.

The Concord, California native was a member of the Gators baseball team from 2006 to 2008. In 111 games, the left-handed hitting catcher amassed a .332 career batting average with 132 hits with 16 home runs, 34 doubles, and two triples. He also drove in 90 runs and scored 77 times. The two-time All-CCAA selection also stole 19 bases. His 34 doubles rank third on the Gators' career list and his 16 homer uns ties him for fourth while his 90 runs batted in ties him for seventh. In 2008, he hit 21 doubles, which tied him for the most by a Gator in a single season, and his 47 runs batted tied him for seventh. His eight home runs in 2006 tied him for ninth.

"Matt's knowledge of the game, his understanding of leadership, and his commitment to success is second to none," said Pacifics President and General Manager Mike Shapiro. "I greatly admire and respect him, and more importantly, consider him my friend. I couldn't do this without him."

In 2015, Kavanaugh led the Pacifics to their third league title and a 48-30 overall record. The team surged into the championship game with a 29-11 second-half record and defeated the Sonoma Stompers to win the team's third title in four years. Kavanaugh's 2016 Pacifics club finished in second place.

Prior to his managerial career, Kavanaugh played six seasons of independent baseball, including his final two with the Pacifics. In 2014, Kavanaugh hit a team-high 11 home runs and was second on the team with 47 runs batted in.

Kavanaugh also currently serves as an assistant coach at Academy of Art. For more information on the Pacifics, click here.