Baseball - The Independent Florida Alligator

Former UF catcher Mike Zunino swings at a pitch during Florida’s 7-3 win against Bethune-Cookman at McKethan Stadium on June 4, 2010.

Sports

Zunino promoted

By RICHARD JOHNSON | June 12, 2013

When former Florida catcher Mike Zunino was drafted third overall in last June’s MLB First-Year Player Draft, it was assumed he would make it to the big leagues eventually.

Left-handed reliever Daniel Gibson throws a pitch in the sixth inning of Florida’s 8-2 loss against Florida Gulf Coast on Feb. 22 at McKethan Stadium. The Arizona Diamondbacks selected Gibson 210th overall Friday on the second day of the MLB First-Year Player Draft.

Sports

Washington Nationals select Whitson, Dent on Day 3

By ADAM LICHTENSTEIN< | June 10, 2013

Karsten Whitson was the ninth overall selection in the 2010 MLB First-Year Player Draft. The right-hander out of Chipley turned down a $2.1 million offer from the San Diego Padres and instead went to Florida.

Right-hander Tucker Simpson gets ready to throw a pitch during Florida's 8-3 loss to Florida Gulf Coast on Feb. 23 at McKethan Stadium. After one season with the Gators, Simpson will transfer from UF.

Sports

Pitcher to leave Florida

By CHUCK KINGSBURY< | June 10, 2013

Right-hander Tucker Simpson will transfer from Florida, a UF spokesman confirmed Monday.

Junior Karsten Whitson reacts after recording a strikeout during Florida’s 9-8 win against NC State on June 10, 2012, at McKethan Stadium. Whitson was drafted in the 37th round of the 2013 MLB Draft.

Sports

Karsten Whitson rounds out MLB Draft for Florida

By ADAM LICHTENSTEIN< | June 8, 2013

Karsten Whitson was the ninth overall selection in the 2010 MLB First-Year Player Draft. The right-hander out of Chipley turned down a $2.1 million offer from the San Diego Padres and instead went to Florida.

Right-hander Jonathon Crawford throws a pitch during Florida’s 8-2 loss to Florida Gulf Coast on Feb 22 at McKethan Stadium. Selected 20th by the Detroit Tigers in the first round of the MLB Draft on Thursday, Crawford is the highest Florida pitcher taken since John Burke went sixth to the Houston Astros in 1991.

Sports

Detroit Tigers select Crawford with 20th overall pick

By ADAM LICHTENSTEIN< | June 6, 2013

Jonathon Crawford might have thrown his last pitch as a Gator.

Jay Carmichael pitches against Florida Gulf Coast on Feb. 24. Carmichael finished the season with the Gators’ third best ERA. The Gators were sent home after two games in the NCAA Bloomington Regional.

Sports

Florida declines after losing experienced players to MLB

By ADAM LICHTENSTEIN< | June 5, 2013

The season started well.

Sophomore Johnny Magliozzi warms up between innings during Florida’s 7-4 loss to Florida Gulf Coast on Feb. 24 at McKethan Stadium. Magliozzi and the Gators were eliminated from the NCAA Bloomington Regional on Saturday.

Sports

UF falls in Regionals

By ADAM LICHTENSTEIN< | June 1, 2013

Florida had plenty of chances.

Sophomore Justin Shafer bats during Florida’s 6-2 win against Georgia Tech in the NCAA Gainesville Regional on June 2, 2012, at McKethan Stadium. Shafer notched a three-RBI homer during the sixth inning in Florida's 4-3 NCAA Regional loss to Austin Peay on Friday in Bloomington, Ind.

Sports

Florida falls to Austin Peay in first game of NCAA Regional

By LANDON WATNICK< | May 31, 2013

After Florida took a 3-1 lead in the top of the sixth on a three-RBI homer, Austin Peay responded in the eighth with one of its own.

Jonathon Crawford pitches against Florida Gulf Coast on Feb. 22 at McKethan Stadium. Crawford threw a no-hitter against Bethune-Cookman in the first game of the NCAA Regionals last season.

Sports

Crawford to start first game of NCAA Regional

By ADAM LICHTENSTEIN< | May 29, 2013

Last season, Jonathon Crawford made his NCAA Tournament debut in historic fashion.

Junior Jonathon Crawford warms up on the mound during Florida’s 3-2 win against South Carolina on April 11 at McKethan Stadium. Crawford and No. 3 seed Florida will face No. 2 seed Austin Peay in its first NCAA Tournament game on Friday.

Sports

UF earns postseason berth

By ADAM LICHTENSTEIN< | May 27, 2013

This time last season, Florida had a berth in the NCAA Tournament locked up. The only question was who would come to Gainesville to face the Gators in the regional.

Sophomore Johnny Magliozzi pitches against Florida Gulf Coast on Feb. 24. Magliozzi surrendered five runs in 6.1 innings against Texas A&M in the SEC Tournament Tuesday.

Sports

Florida eliminated in first round of SEC Tournament

By ADAM LICHTENSTEIN< | May 21, 2013

With a chance for the Southeastern Conference title and a possible NCAA Tournament bid on the line, Florida needed someone to step up.

Right-handed pitcher Johnny Magliozzi (left) celebrates with catcher Taylor Gushue during Florida’s 4-0 win against Ole Miss on March 31 at McKethan Stadium.

Sports

Gators struggle with runners on

By ADAM LICHTENSTEIN< | May 20, 2013

Down by a run in the top of the fourth in Saturday’s rubber game against Georgia, Florida had a chance to start a two-out rally.

Junior pitcher Daniel Gibson winds up for a pitch during Florida’s 14-5 win against South Carolina on Saturday at McKethan Stadium. Gibson allowed two home runs during the seventh inning in Florida's 9-2 loss to Georgia on Saturday.

Sports

Gators drop rubber match against Bulldogs

By ADAM LICHTENSTEIN< | May 18, 2013

Georgia came into the final three-game set of the season against Florida without winning a series against a Southeastern Conference opponent in 2013.

Josh Tobias throws the ball to first base during Florida’s 9-8 win against N.C. State in Game 2 of the NCAA Super Regional on June 10 at McKethan Stadium. Against Georgia on Friday, Tobias notched Florida's only RBI of the match on a ground-rule double.

Sports

Gators' offense goes cold in loss to Bulldogs

By ADAM LICHTENSTEIN< | May 17, 2013

After taking the series opener on Thursday, Florida (29-26, 14-15 Southeastern Conference) lost 3-1 to Georgia (20-32, 6-20 SEC) to even the series on Friday.

Junior Jonathon Crawford pitches during Florida’s 11-5 loss to Kentucky on March 16 at McKethan Stadium. Crawford allowed just one run in 6.2 innings Thursday against the Bulldogs.

Sports

Strong outing from Crawford fuels Florida past Georgia

By JOSH JURNOVOY< | May 16, 2013

Following one of his worst outings of the season, Jonathon Crawford found his command again.

UF sophomore Johnny Magliozzi warms up against Florida Gulf Coast University on February 24. Magliozzi may start on Saturday or pitch out of bullpen in Florida’s weekend series against Georgia.

Sports

Closer juggles roles

By ADAM LICHTENSTEIN< | May 15, 2013

Johnny Magliozzi has been Florida’s most consistent pitcher in 2013. But with one series left in the regular season, his role still has not been defined.