2 - The Independent Florida Alligator

The Florida Gators fell to Oklahoma State Saturday, now facing elimination against UCLA Sunday.

SPORTS | SOFTBALL

Florida faces elimination after dominant pitching performance from Oklahoma State

By Brandon Hernandez | June 5, 2022

Florida played its second game in the Women’s College World Series against the Oklahoma State Cowgirls Saturday. After its 7-1 win against the Oregon State Beavers Thursday, the journey only got harder as the Cowgirls pitched a shutout against the Gators, putting Florida’s chances of advancing in jeopardy.

Freshman pitcher Brandon Neely throws a pitch against LSU March 27, 2022. Neely worked just 2.1 innings Saturday against Oklahoma.

SPORTS | BASEBALL

Gators fall to Sooners, face elimination Sunday

By Carson Cashion | June 5, 2022

In a classic can’t-get-out-of-its-own-way performance from UF, the regional’s 1-seed fell to Sunday’s loser’s bracket following spotty pitching and lackluster hitting.

Florida's Colby Halter chases after a ball on March 14 during a game against Jacksonville. He recorded 3 RBIs in UF's 7-3 win over Central Michigan Friday.

SPORTS | BASEBALL

Sproat proves too much for Chippewas, Gators win game one of regional 7-3

By Carson Cashion | June 3, 2022

One thing for certain, though, is that the crowd brought the most energy of the year Friday night, and it came at the right time.

Gators gymnast Megan Skaggs celebrates with assistant coach Adrian Burde. Burde was promoted to associate head coach Friday. Photo courtesy of the UAA // Courtney Cullbreath.

SPORTS | GYMNASTICS

Gators gymnastics promote Adrian Burde to associate head coach

By Curtis Michaud | June 3, 2022

A longtime Florida Gators gymnastics assistant coach who led the team to nine Southeastern Conference titles and three NCAA vault and floor championships will become associate head coach.

METRO | CRIMINAL JUSTICE

Police search for suspect in Southwest Archer Road armed robbery

By Omar Ateyah | June 3, 2022

The incident occurred at 1:40 a.m. at the Fast Track convenience store next to the Exxon gas station at 3960 SW Archer Road.

NEWS | CAMPUS STUDENT GOVERNMENT

Student Government Senate incorrectly identifies Texas school shooting victims

By Sandra McDonald | June 3, 2022

UF Student Government Senate proposed a resolution honoring the 21 lives lost at the Texas elementary school shooting that incorrectly identified the date of the tragedy and the victims’ names.

Natalie Lugo steps through and delivers a pitch against South Carolina on April 24th. Lugo delivered six scoreless innings of relief in Florida's 7-1 victory over Oregon State Thursday.

SPORTS | SOFTBALL

Gators dam Beavers in Women’s College World Series opener, 7-1

By Brenda Bogle | June 2, 2022

The veteran pitcher’s steady performance proved to be the true turning point for UF on defense, as the No. 14-seed Gators escaped Oklahoma City with a 7-1 victory over the Beavers.

Brandon Sproat pitching against Miami Feb. 21, 2021. Courtesy of the SEC Media Portal. Sproat will start on the mound for Florida's first-round matchup with Central Michigan.

SPORTS | BASEBALL

Gators face gauntlet in Gainesville regional

By Carson Cashion | June 2, 2022

A 4-2 record in the Southeastern Conference Tournament last week secured a top-16 seed in the NCAA Tournament, granting Florida the ability to host a regional in Gainesville. Now, UF welcomes Oklahoma, Liberty and Central Michigan to Condron Ballpark for the event.

OPINION | LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Transgender healthcare should be based on medical best practice, not ideology

June 2, 2022

Recommendations from State Surgeon General Dr. Joseph Ladapo directly contradict, and fail to cite, the thoroughly researched and referenced consensus standards of care for transgender and gender-nonconforming children and adolescents.

METRO | CRIMINAL JUSTICE

Gainesville man sentenced to 30 years for attempted murder and firearm possession

By Omar Ateyah | June 2, 2022

Eric Robinson, 19, was charged with attempted murder in October 2021.

A frustrated Dan Mullen on the sidelines against Samford Nov. 13, 2021. His former home has a pending offer in Gainesville.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Dan Mullen to sell Gainesville home

By Jackson Castellano | June 1, 2022

Former Gators football head coach Dan Mullen's Gainesville home was listed for sale April 18 and has a pending offer of $2.75 million, pointing to the next step in his career.

Michael Corio, 20, and Desiree Kirschner, 20, kiss during the Night at Fox Lounge event Friday, May 27, 2022.

THE AVENUE | MUSIC

Gainesville artists flock to Fox Lounge

By Anna Ward | June 1, 2022

More than 150 people attended the Night at Fox Lounge event, the latest endeavor from local media collective Night Before Media.

Milton Lewis Young Marines conducts the flag ceremony on Memorial Day at the Evergreen Cemetery May 30, 2022.

METRO

Gainesville remembers veterans Memorial Day weekend

By Omar Ateyah | May 31, 2022

The flag-placing tradition at Evergreen Cemetery happens twice every year in anticipation of Memorial and Veterans’ Day. More than 1,000 veterans are buried across Evergreen’s 56 acres, located at Southeast 21st Avenue.

Two girls hug while listening to the band Heart Prevails at the Hardback Cafe’s closing party on Saturday, May 14, 2022.

THE AVENUE | MUSIC

Long-standing music venue closes doors once again

By Kristine Villarroel | May 31, 2022

On May 25, the Hardback Cafe closed its doors. Its community — reminiscent of one that gathered in 1999 — gathered again, this time for an eclectic event.

Joe Pagdin of The University of Florida's men's golf team competes in the first round of the 2021 NCAA Cle Elum Regional at Tumble Creek Golf Club in Cle Elum, Wash., on May 17, 2021. (Photography by Scott Eklund/Red Box Pictures)

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS GOLF

Florida men’s golf loses its grip in the front nine, ending its season

By Brandon Hernandez | May 30, 2022

UF finished its NCAA National Championship run in 11th place, completing 1160 total shots and going 40-above par for the tournament.

Florida's Brandon Sproat pitches against Jacksonville on March 13, 2021. Sproat pitched 8.1 innings Tuesday in Florida's 2-1 win over South Carolina.

SPORTS | BASEBALL

Gators to host regional after SEC Tournament run

By Carson Cashion | May 30, 2022

Even after receiving a beat-down at the hands of the No. 1-ranked Tennessee Volunteers in the tournament finale, the team did more than enough in Hoover to bring postseason play back to Condron Ballpark.

Two graduates congratulate each other outside of the O’Connell Center after the Sante Fe High School Commencement Ceremony on May 27, 2022.

METRO | K-12 EDUCATION

Alachua County Public Schools held graduation ceremonies without COVID-19 restrictions

By Jackson Reyes | May 30, 2022

Alachua County high school seniors attended their graduation ceremonies, maskless and side-by-side, for the first time in two years.

The University of Florida's Century tower, as viewed from Newell Drive on Thursday, July 22, 2021. The tower commemorates UF students who fought and died in World War I and World War II -- the tower also commemorates the 100th anniversary of UF's founding in 1853.

NEWS | CAMPUS UF ADMINISTRATION

UF community expresses political interference will be incoming president’s biggest challenge

By Anushka Dakshit | May 30, 2022

During the final listening sessions amid the search for UF's next president, attendees voiced concerns about lack of transparency and trust with university leaders.

Nine members of the UF wildlife ecology and conservation department’s Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Access Committee wrote a letter criticizing the guidelines and called upon the UF community to advocate for transgender healthcare access for children.

NEWS | CAMPUS

UF community petitions DOH guidelines for transgender youth

By Lillian Lawson | May 30, 2022

Six hundred UF community members signed a letter opposing a Department of Health guideline endorsed by a UF professor that prohibits transgender people under 18 from adopting characteristics matching their gender identity.

The Alan J. Robertson Administration building at Santa Fe College is seen Friday, June 18, 2021.

NEWS | SFC

Santa Fe college admissions on the rise

By Lindsay Schindler | May 30, 2022

As UF admission rates drop with the return to in-person classes, Santa Fe College’s are on the rise.