Softball - The Independent Florida Alligator

UF shortstop Kathlyn Medina catches a pop out during Florida's 7-0 win against Kentucky on May 23 2015, at Katie Seashole Pressly Stadium.

Sports

UF seniors first in program history with multiple titles

By Luis Torres | June 3, 2015

Florida softball’s outgoing senior class should be remembered forever.

Aleshia Ocasio pitches during Florida's 4-1 win against Illinois State on Feb. 21 at Katie Seashole Pressly Stadium.

Sports

Air Jordan: Five UF softball players to watch for heading into 2016

By JORDAN MCPHERSON | June 3, 2015

With the Florida softball team winning its second-consecutive national title following its 4-1 win over Michigan in Wednesday’s decisive third game of the championship series, the quest for a three-peat has officially begun. And while coach Tim Walton has a heavy task ahead of him in replacing his six-player senior class — highlighted by 2015 National Player of the Year Lauren Haeger — he has pieces in place to make another deep postseason run. And with that, here’s your way-too-early list of five players to watch out for in the 2016 season.

UF coach Tim Walton walks to the dugout during Florida's 1-0 win against Florida Atlantic in the 2015 NCAA Regionals on May 17, 2015, at Katie Seashole Pressly Stadium.

Sports

Torres Tells It: Tim Walton joins elite company with back-to-back national championships

By Luis Torres | June 3, 2015

Tim Walton is building something special in Gainesville.

Coach Tim Walton was more than happy to empty his bench in Florida's 19-3 win over Florida A&M on Wednesday. “I think overall the main priority is to get everybody at-bats and to keep our timing right," he said.

Sports

Florida softball falls to Michigan, forcing winner-take-all game 3 for WCWS title

By Patrick Pinak | June 2, 2015

Haylie Wagner wasn’t ready to go home.

Florida's Lauren Haeger celebrates on the way home after hitting a home run in the first inning during the NCAA Women's College World Series Championship against Michigan in Oklahoma City, Monday.

Sports

Florida downs Michigan in first game of Women’s College World Series

By Patrick Pinak | June 1, 2015

On softball’s biggest stage, Florida leaned on the nation’s best player — Lauren Haeger.

Nicole DeWitt bats during UF's 2-1 win against UNF on April 1, 2015, at Katie Seashole Pressly Stadium.

Sports

Freshman’s walk-off hit catapults Gators to championship series of WCWS

By Luis Torres | May 31, 2015

Freshman Nicole DeWitt didn’t get her chance to win the game in the bottom of the seventh inning.

UF's Lauren Haeger pitches during Florida's 5-0 win against Florida State on April 22, 2015, at Katie Seashole Pressly Stadium.

Sports

Florida softball defeats LSU, one win away from WCWS championship series

By Luis Torres | May 29, 2015

Lauren Haeger was probably waiting for another chance to face the LSU Tigers.

UF's Lauren Haeger pitches during Florida softball's 1-0 win against Florida Atlantic during the NCAA Regional finals on May 17, 2015, at Katie Seashole Pressly Stadium.

Sports

Florida softball beats Tennessee 7-2 in opening game of WCWS

By Patrick Pinak | May 28, 2015

Lauren Haeger had never homered in the Women’s College World Series — until today.

Sports

Florida Gators women's athletics program vying for Capital One Cup

By Luis Torres | May 28, 2015

The Capital One Cup has become one of the most sought after awards in collegiate athletics the past couple of years.

UF's Lauren Haeger pitches during Florida's 7-1 win against Kansas on Feb. 21 at Katie Seashole Pressly Stadium.

Sports

Aced It: Former Arizona pitcher talks UF softball, WCWS

By Patrick Pinak | May 28, 2015

It might be easy to assume that Florida softball, the No. 1 overall seed and defending national champions, should win another title the following year.

Lauren Haeger pitches during Florida's 14-10 loss to LSU on Mar. 14 at Katie Seashole Pressly Stadium.

Sports

Lauren Haeger named 2015 USA Softball Collegiate Player of the Year

By Patrick Pinak | May 26, 2015

Lauren Haeger has been named the 2015 USA Softball Collegiate Player of the Year. She was presented the award in Oklahoma City at a banquet on Tuesday night.

Sports

Florida softball headed back to Women’s College World Series

By Luis Torres | May 25, 2015

The Florida softball team is headed back to Oklahoma City for the Women’s College World Series.

UF players celebrate the final out of Sunday's 1-0 win against the Kentucky Wildcats during the 2015 NCAA Super Regionals at Katie Seashole Pressly Stadium.

Sports

Florida heads to WCWS with 1-0 win over Kentucky

By Patrick Pinak | May 24, 2015

Lauren Haeger chucked her glove into the air. She had just fired a 67-MPH rise ball to Kentucky’s Ansley Smith on an 0-2 count with two outs in the 7th inning with a 1-0 lead.

UF players celebrate with Lauren Haeger after she hits a solo home run during Florida's 7-0 win against Kentucky during the 2015 NCAA Super Regionals on May 23, 2015, at Katie Seashole Pressly Stadium.

Sports

Florida softball one win away from WCWS after Haeger dominates Kentucky

By Luis Torres | May 23, 2015

Lauren Haeger was five outs away from softball immortality.

Aubree Munro catches during Florida's 7-1 win against Kansas on Feb. 21 at Katie Seashole Pressly Stadium.

Sports

UF preparing for familiar foe in NCAA Super Regionals

By Patrick Pinak | May 20, 2015

Seven games.

Sports

Florida softball advances to NCAA Super Regionals with weekend sweep

By Luis Torres | May 18, 2015

The Florida softball team was expected to blow all of its opponents in the Gainesville Regional out of the water.

Justine McLean bats during Florida’s 2-0 win against Ole Miss on March 9 at Katie Seashole Pressly Stadium.

Sports

#Gators: A social media guide to following UF baseball and softball

By JORDAN MCPHERSON | May 18, 2015

With the top-ranked UF softball team already in the midst of the NCAA Tournament and the sixth-ranked UF baseball team beginning postseason play in the Southeastern Conference Tournament on Wednesday, the alligatorSports staff will be busy live-tweeting the events over the next month.

UF's Kirsti Merritt crosses home plate to score the lone run of the game in the eighth inning of Florida softball's 1-0 win against Florida Atlantic during the NCAA Regional finals on May 17, 2015, at Katie Seashole Pressly Stadium.

Sports

Lauren Haeger leads Florida softball past FAU and into Super Regionals

By Luis Torres | May 17, 2015

Florida had nothing going offensively Sunday.

Taylore Fuller bats against Jacksonville during Florida’s 6-0 win on Feb. 19, 2014, at Katie Seashole Pressly Stadium. Fuller helped lead the Gators to a 7-0 victory over Hofstra on Saturday.

Sports

Middle of the lineup carries Florida softball in victory over Hofstra

By Patrick Pinak | May 16, 2015

It didn’t take long for Florida’s top three power hitters to respond after being called out just a day ago.

Sports

Freshman pitcher ties strikeout record as Florida softball beats Florida A&M

By Patrick Pinak | May 15, 2015

The Florida A&M Rattlers didn’t stand a chance against Aleshia Ocasio on Friday night.