The months of April, May and June are more frenetic than any other times of the year when it comes to sports. From March Madness to the NBA and NHL playoffs, this time of year serves as the culmination for many different leagues, resulting in a cacophony of high stakes showdowns at a breakneck pace.
For a 12-year-old baseball player, this is supposed to be a magical time.
Every year, college programs say goodbye to some of their best players on draft day.
“The one constant through all the years has been baseball.”
It’s been nearly two months since COVID-19 brought the world of sports to a complete stop.
I was at the O’Connell Center a little early on Feb. 26 for Florida’s men’s basketball team’s matchup against LSU. After wolfing down some press box food, I was feeling a little sentimental.
Florida senior third baseman Kirby McMullen will return to the Gators for his redshirt senior season. His decision was first reported by Gator Country’s Nick de la Torre.
Just a day before his team opened SEC play against Georgia — with no fans in attendance — UF pitcher Jack Leftwich was poolside with teammates Jordan Butler and Cal Greenfield. The trio was taking advantage of canceled classes just before they faced off against the No. 3 Bulldogs when they heard the news.
Drastic turnaround on the mound
For a few brief seconds, utter silence, as seemingly every fan in the stadium drew a collective inhale. And then, pandemonium.
With a season-high 5,276 fans packed into McKethan Stadium, it was as loud as it has been all season during the ranked matchup between Florida and Florida State.
Sunday’s switch to daylight savings time left the Gators, Bulls and audience in a stupor – until Nathan Hickey woke everyone up.
The last time Jack Leftwich started on the mound, he allowed six hits and six earned runs in three innings of work against Troy.
Florida went for the kill shot in the first inning.
Florida’s pitching staff silenced the Florida A&M bats for all nine innings.
The Florida Gators made history on Tuesday when they started their season 12-0 — a feat never accomplished before.
It’s been 18 years since the Gators started a season 11-0.
There’s just something about that lucky number seven.
The Sunshine State hasn’t lived up to its name for the Gators recently.
The Gators will have to wait another 24 hours before their first game as the nation’s No. 1 team.
Solutions by The State News
