1 - The Independent Florida Alligator

Pitcher Brady Singer allowed one run on two hits through seven innings Friday night against No. 8 Vanderbilt.

SPORTS | BASEBALL

Gators undeterred by rain, beat Vandy to open series

By Justin Ahlum | Mar. 31, 2018

Empty seats, wet bleachers and dampened ponchos of anxious Gators fans surrounded the tarp-covered infield at McKethan Stadium. At 6:30, when second-ranked Florida was supposed to begin its first contest of a three-game set against the No. 8 Vanderbilt Commodores, not one player for either team could be seen on the field.

Coach Tim Walton talked about the excitement surrounding the future upgrades to Katie Seashole Pressly Stadium. “It’s been a fun process so far even though we haven’t broken ground yet,” he said.

SPORTS | SOFTBALL

Florida softball team excited for stadium renovations next season

By Mari Faiello | Mar. 30, 2018

After 21 years of history on the diamond, Katie Seashole Pressly Stadium, home to Florida’s softball program, will have a whole new look for the 2019 season.

In the 2012-13 school year, the Disability Resource Center center served 1,214 students. This academic year, that rose to 3,055.

NEWS | FEATURES

Disability Resource Center struggles with growing demand

By Jessica Giles | Mar. 29, 2018

Nestled alone in her cubicle, Marti Stein can fidget all she wants.

José Chaparro, an associate horticultural sciences professor who’s been breeding fruit varieties at UF since 2004, checks on a citrus plant variety bred with genes to make it more freeze-resistant.

NEWS | CAMPUS UF ADMINISTRATION

Citrus research delayed two years by baseball stadium construction

By Elliott Nasby | Mar. 29, 2018

Ben Nichols expected to research seedless mandarins for another year. Instead, he’ll be forced to wrap up his studies in three months.

Coach Bryan Shelton said he respects the No. 1 ranking achieved by Wake Forest. “Their top three is a three-headed monster," he said.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS TENNIS

Florida begins road trip with top team in the nation

By Dylan Rudolph | Mar. 29, 2018

The Florida men’s tennis team will begin a four-match road trip on Friday.

Center John Egbunu did not play a single minute for the Gators in 2017-18.

SPORTS | MEN'S BASKETBALL

I feel a lot of sympathy for John Egbunu

By Andrew Huang | Mar. 29, 2018

Missing 44 consecutive games due to injury had to be tough for Florida center John Egbunu.

Quarterbacks coach Brian Johnson hasn't been shy about his thoughts on Feleipe Franks. “We give (Franks) a lot of responsibility,” Johnson said.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

‘From the class to the grass:’ Florida QB impresses coaches

By Benjamin Brandt | Mar. 29, 2018

He did it last season in front of almost 90,000 fans, sending Ben Hill Griffin Stadium into a frenzy as he hurled a game-winning 63-yard touchdown to beat Tennessee.

Junior defender Caroline May is beginning to see her playing time increase this season after recovering from a gruesome knee injury.

SPORTS | FEATURES

MAY’S DAY: UF lacrosse player overcomes pair of injuries

By Tyler Nettuno | Mar. 29, 2018

Caroline May felt devastated as she lay on the ground.

Former Gator and two-time Olympic gold medalist Christian Taylor competed Thursday in Day 1 of the Pepsi Florida Relays.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS TRACK

Gators welcome back alumni in Day 1 of Florida Relays

By Alanis Thames | Mar. 29, 2018

Immediately following his second place finish in the men’s 400 meter, Christian Taylor made his way across the blue track at James G. Pressly Stadium and found coach Mike Holloway.

OPINION | DARTS LAURELS

Darts & Laurels: March 30, 2018

Mar. 29, 2018

As you drown in stress and scramble to finish a paper you should have started a month ago, you become eternally grateful for the large sum of Easter candy your mom sent you in a care package earlier this week. It’s chocolate bunnies and jelly beans galore: It’s absolutely everything your stressed out self is craving.

OPINION | COLUMNS

SG executive branch applications close Wednesday: Here's what you can apply for

By Zachariah Chou | Mar. 29, 2018

The executive branch is the bee’s knees when it comes to running Student Government programming and getting things done. Now that there is a new SG administration coming in soon, applications are open for agency heads, cabinet directorships and executive secretaries. Judicial branch positions are open as well (the judicial branch officials are picked by the executive branch).

OPINION | COLUMNS

The NFL has work to do before it goes overseas

Mar. 29, 2018

This upcoming August, English soccer club Tottenham Hotspur will open its massive new stadium. But what makes the new 64,000-seat facility noteworthy is the large fingerprint left on it by the NFL.

Coach Roland Thornqvist and the Gators have won 10 of their previous 11 matches after Thursday night's victory over Arkansas.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS TENNIS

UF defeats Arkansas 4-1 in return to Gainesville

By River Wells | Mar. 29, 2018

Freshman Katie Kubicz was on autopilot.

METRO | CRIMINAL JUSTICE

Police investigate after woman shot in leg

By Robert Lewis | Mar. 29, 2018

Gainesville Police are looking for a shooter after officers found a woman shot in the leg at about midnight Wednesday at an East Gainesville apartment complex.

METRO | CRIMINAL JUSTICE

Man walks an hour away from a hit-and-run crash

By Robert Lewis | Mar. 29, 2018

A Gainesville man was charged with crashing into a motorcyclist, who is not expected to survive his injuries, and walking away from the wreck, Gainesville Police said.

UF third baseman Jonathan India's solo home run jump-started the Gators' offense on a 3-2 win against Jacksonville at the Gainesville Regional. His solo home run was one of three for Florida on the night.

SPORTS | BASEBALL

As Florida’s offense cools, India heats up with No. 8 Vanderbilt coming to town

By Ethan Bauer | Mar. 29, 2018

It wasn’t long ago that Florida’s offense was smacking hits and spitting homers at the same rate you’d see in a video game. It wasn’t long ago that five Gators were hitting over .300. It wasn’t long ago that UF’s entire offense was feared as a national menace.

NEWS | CAMPUS

Five things to know about the COMPASS project mentioned in your email

By Amanda Rosa | Mar. 29, 2018

Natalie Leon had never heard of COMPASS until she opened her UF email Wednesday night. Although it caught her eye for a second, the 22-year-old scrolled passed it.

NEWS | CAMPUS

Innovate Hub holds open house

By Davio Rodriguez | Mar. 28, 2018

About 80 people were surrounded by sleek chrome light fixtures and stacked two-story high windows as they walked into the UF Innovate lobby Wednesday.

Coach Roland Thornqvist said he isn't taking the Thursday matchup with 5-11 Arkansas lightly.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS TENNIS

UF women’s tennis team set to face Arkansas for first of three matches over a four-day span

By River Wells | Mar. 28, 2018

So far this season, the Arkansas women’s tennis team is 5-11 overall, only has one win in SEC play and is on a current six-match losing streak.

NEWS | CAMPUS

UF Cupanion promo starts at Southwest Rec, new prizes

By Cheyanne Durham | Mar. 28, 2018

In an effort to encourage students to use reusable water bottles, UF is offering free T-shirts and paddleboard rentals.

El Caimán