2 - The Independent Florida Alligator

OPINION | COLUMNS

Anti-vaxxers are spreading fake news. It’s time you heard the truth.

Mar. 10, 2019

In the early 20th century, parents refused to allow their children to enter swimming pools or partake in typical summer activities. Childhoods were robbed and parents lived in fear of a crippling disease: polio. Little did they know, this disease was preventable. Luckily, Jonas Salk, a researcher and inventor, or better yet, a hero, developed a vaccine in 1955 that prevented the contraction of polio. Millions of children worldwide were spared from a crippling life, thanks to him. Once this vaccine was licensed for use, people worldwide demanded to be vaccinated – a small or nonexistent price to pay for the reward of a long, healthy life.

Gators sophomore right hander Jack Leftwich won his third game of the year after pitching six innings Sunday afternoon against Winthrop. He gave up two runs on four hits, struck out five and walked only one.

SPORTS | BASEBALL

Gators crush Yale behind fifth-inning fireworks

By Evan Lepak | Mar. 9, 2019

The UF baseball team solved the issues that plagued it in Game 1 of its series with the Yale Bulldogs.

Natalie Lugo tied a career-high for strikes (13) in the Gators 1-0 victory over New Mexico.

SPORTS | SOFTBALL

Gators lose first home series to Tennessee in 12 years

By Mark Stine | Mar. 9, 2019

Natalie Lugo gazed toward the sky as the softball sailed over her head and past her back-tracking center fielder, Alex Voss.

Florida coach Mike White said center Kevarrius Hayes is the only player devoting 100-percent effort to rebounding. “He’s been asked to go, it’s his job," White said, "Kevarrius Hayes - and he’s hard to block out because he goes 10 out of 10 times.”

SPORTS | MEN'S BASKETBALL

Florida falls to Kentucky in regular-season finale

By Alanis Thames | Mar. 9, 2019

The Gators fell flat when it mattered.

UF women's tennis coach Roland Thornqvist said he was pleased after the Gators defeated Ole Miss 4-1 on Friday to open SEC play.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS TENNIS

Florida comeback stifles Hogs en route to Thornqvist’s 500th victory

By Victor Prieto | Mar. 9, 2019

Marlee Zein finished off Jackie Carr in the fourth hour of Florida’s marathon match, clinching the decisive third set and the Gators’ first SEC victory on the road.

UF men’s tennis player Johannes Ingildsen won his match against UCF’s Trey Hilderbrand 6-4, 7-5 on Friday night.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS TENNIS

Gators pick up another SEC win over Ole Miss

By Noah Ram | Mar. 9, 2019

The Gators men’s tennis team had been waiting for this.

Right Fielder Wil Dalton went 2 for 4 with a single and a walk in the Gators 9-3 win over Miami on Saturday.

SPORTS | BASEBALL

Florida narrowly escapes Yale’s comeback bid

By Kyle Wood | Mar. 8, 2019

Florida put another tally in the win column against Yale Friday night. But it was far from a statement victory.

Florida gymnast Alicia Boren earned SEC gymnast of the week for her performance against Missouri on Friday at the O'Connell Center.

SPORTS | GYMNASTICS

UF defeats Penn State in final home meet of regular season

By River Wells | Mar. 8, 2019

It’s what is called an exhibition: a routine performed at the end of the rotation that doesn’t count toward the score.

Kelly Barnhill allowed just one hit and two walks, while striking out 10 batters in the Gators 1-0 victory over Washington.

SPORTS | SOFTBALL

Gators run-ruled by UT in SEC opener

By Mark Stine | Mar. 8, 2019

One of the storylines for the UF softball team in its SEC opening-weekend series was if pitching or offense would prevail.

METRO | CRIMINAL JUSTICE

Dogs kill 2-year-old boy, injure woman in High Springs

By Katherine Wallace-Fernandez | Mar. 8, 2019

It’s unclear why the dogs attacked.

Freshman attacker Grace Haus scored four goals on five shots Wednesday against Jacksonville.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS LACROSSE

Gators avoid fourth-straight loss with convincing win against Elon

By Bryan Matamoros | Mar. 7, 2019

A change of scenery can be beneficial.

UF guard Funda Nakkasoglu became the second active player in the SEC to cross 2,000 career points in the Gators' regular-season finale victory over Vanderbilt on Sunday.

SPORTS | WOMEN'S BASKETBALL

Florida's season ends in Round 2 with loss to Missouri

By Dylan Rudolph | Mar. 7, 2019

The sparse Florida crowd at the Bon Secours Wellness Arena in Greenville, South Carolina, sheepishly tried to revitalize the players, but only in vain.

Senior guard Jalen Hudson's 11 points in the Gators' 65-54 loss to Kentucky were his highest total since Butler (Dec. 29) and the first time this year he'd reached double figures in SEC play.

SPORTS | MEN'S BASKETBALL

Hudson’s play not enough for Gators to beat LSU in final home game

By Jake Dreilinger | Mar. 6, 2019

Florida’s best option was Jalen Hudson. It had to be.

Kevin O'Sullivan's Florida baseball team is 6-4 to start the season after a 12-9 loss to UCF on Wednesday.

SPORTS | BASEBALL

UF falters at home against FGCU

By Kyle Wood | Mar. 6, 2019

Pitching was the difference in both midweek games between Florida and Florida Gulf Coast. The Eagles held the advantage on the mound Wednesday night in a 7-2 victory over the Gators.

Florida guard Delicia Washington’s jumper gave UF a two-point lead with just 15 seconds left, and the Gators snapped a five-game losing streak with a 57-55 win over Alabama.

SPORTS | WOMEN'S BASKETBALL

Florida advances to Round 2 with win over Ole Miss

By Dylan Rudolph | Mar. 6, 2019

Ole Miss coach Yolett McPhee-McCuin desperately tried to motivate her team during the final timeout of the game. She slammed her clipboard to the ground and pounded her fist against her red leather jacket looking for a reaction from her players, but she was met with silence.

Senior Gordon Neale finished in last place (7 over par) among the five UF golfers that participated in the team event at the Gators Invitational.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS GOLF

Gators fail to defend title at Southern Highlands Invitational

By Bryan Matamoros | Mar. 5, 2019

Florida’s men’s golf team traveled to Las Vegas with high expectations after winning the Southern Highlands Invitational last year.

Nelson Maldonado recorded one hit and a run in four at-bats in the Gators' 7-1 loss to North Florida on Wednesday.

SPORTS | BASEBALL

UF blanks FGCU for fourth straight win

By Kyle Wood | Mar. 5, 2019

Florida’s offense put together yet another dominant showing against Florida Gulf Coast on Tuesday night.

Freshman Andy Andrade accounted for the only point Florida could muster against No. 5 Texas A&M in Friday night's matchup.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS TENNIS

Gators get first SEC win in beat down of Arkansas

By Noah Ram | Mar. 4, 2019

The Gators men’s tennis team traveled to Arkansas on Sunday with one goal in mind: Continue the dominance.

The UF swimming and diving teams had 28 NCAA-qualifying times on the men's side and seven times on the women's team.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS SWIM AND DIVE

Several Gators earn final NCAA spots

By Jack Braverman | Mar. 3, 2019

Countless UF swimmers had already earned spots to compete in the upcoming NCAA Championships, but this weekend served as an ever-important opportunity for those not already qualified to earn their invitations.

Sunday starter Jack Leftwich pitched five innings during Florida's 4-1 win over Miami at home, allowing five hits, one run and two walks. He struck out seven.

SPORTS | BASEBALL

Gators sweep Winthrop in Sunday doubleheader

By Evan Lepak | Mar. 3, 2019

A rain-soaked Saturday caused the No. 7 Florida baseball team and Winthrop to compete in a doubleheader on Sunday at Alfred A. McKethan Stadium.

COVID-19