Sports - The Independent Florida Alligator

Junior Anna Danilina hits a forehand during Florida's 4-2 win over Oklahoma State on Feb. 18, 2017, at the Ring Tennis Complex.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS TENNIS

Gators blank Minutewomen in opening round of NCAA Tournament

By Spencer Thompson | May 13, 2017

Peggy Porter’s name hasn’t been called often. In fact, the Dallas, Texas, native’s only match this spring came in the season-opener against Depaul on Jan. 28. However, when she was put on court six during Saturday’s opening round of the NCAA Tournament, it looked like she hadn’t missed a beat. Porter’s 6-2, 6-3 win over Massachusetts’s Brittany Collens clinched the match for the Gators, giving them a 4-0 victory to begin tournament play.

UF attacker Mollie Stevens prepares to pass during Florida's 15-8 victory over Denver on March 25, 2017, at Donald R. Dizney Stadium.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS LACROSSE

Florida lacrosse gearing up for NCAA Tournament

By Jake Dreilinger | May 13, 2017

Last year’s postseason loss is still in the back of Florida’s mind.

UF sprinter Kunle Fasasi races in the 400-meter dash during the Florida Relays on April 1, 2016, at the Percy Beard Track.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS TRACK

Cameron wins shot put title, Gators roll on Day Two

By Andrew Huang | May 13, 2017

After a half-hour rain delay that featured two PSAs from announcers alerting fans that a Ford Fusion and Nissan Maxima had left their lights on in the stadium parking lot, junior Lloydricia Cameron came through for the Gators.

Kayli Kvistad hit a home run against Missouri that would give Florida the lead for good.

SPORTS | SOFTBALL

Gators fall to Ole Miss in SEC Tournament quarterfinals

By Cassie Amundson | May 11, 2017

Ole Miss right fielder Kylan Becker raced to first base after her decent hit headed straight towards Gators third baseman Aleshia Ocasio. To those watching, it seemed like it would be an easy out for Florida.

Alex Faedo (left), Kevin O'Sullivan (center) and Mike Rivera convene at the mound during Florida's 1-0 win against LSU on March 24, 2017, at McKethan Stadium.

SPORTS | BASEBALL

Gators look to rebound from loss to USF this weekend

By Dylan Dixon | May 11, 2017

Kevin O’Sullivan has been around the block long enough to know that anything can happen in the game of baseball.

Maria Torres watches her shot during the SunTrust Gator Invitational on March 11, 2017, at the Mark Bostick Golf Course in Gainesville.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS GOLF

Florida claims share of first place in NCAA Regional

By Morgan McMullen | May 11, 2017

Kelly Grassel would not be denied.

Kelly Barnhill pitches during Florida's 5-0 win over Georgia on April 8, 2017, at Katie Seashole Pressly Stadium.

SPORTS | SOFTBALL

UF softball ready to kick off SEC Tournament against Ole Miss

By Skyler Lebron | May 11, 2017

After a season-long conference grind, the No. 1 Florida softball team is preparing for an opportunity to become SEC Tournament champions.

Coach Mike Holloway's men's (No. 1) and women's (No. 4) indoor teams will look to capitalize on a fast start to their seasons. “We always talk about leaving your failures (and) successes in the building,” Holloway said. “Our mindset is always that we’re just trying to get better.”

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS TRACK

Holloway leads Gators track and field into SEC Outdoor Championships

By Andrew Huang | May 11, 2017

Mike Holloway is no stranger to success. Holloway, a UF graduate, has been involved with the Florida track and field team for 21 years.

UF men's tennis coach Bryan Shelton looks on during Florida's 4-2 win against UCLA on Feb. 5, 2017, at the Ring Tennis Complex.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS TENNIS

UF men's tennis gears up to host NCAA Tournament

By Mark Stine | May 11, 2017

Florida coach Bryan Shelton had a fantastic career at Georgia Tech.

Belinda Woolcock serves during Florida's 4-2 win over Oklahoma State on Feb. 18, 2017, at the Ring Tennis Complex.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS TENNIS

Gators hungry to avenge losses in NCAA tournament

By Spencer Thompson | May 11, 2017

Entering the NCAA tournament as the No. 1 seed in the field, senior Belinda Woolcock only has one word to describe what she and the Florida women’s tennis team feels like.

Nick Horvath delivers a pitch to home plate during Florida's 3-2 loss to Tennessee on April 8, 2017, at McKethan Stadium.

SPORTS | BASEBALL

Florida's pitchers unable to find strike zone in loss to USF

By Dylan Dixon | May 10, 2017

Following a two-week span where absolutely nothing could go wrong for Kevin O’Sullivan and his players, the Florida baseball team came crashing back down to reality on Tuesday night.

Kelly Grassel lines up a shot during the 2015 SunTrust Gator Invitational at UF's Mark Bostick Golf Course.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS GOLF

Gators close out second day of regional play in first place

By Morgan McMullen | May 9, 2017

The Scarlet Course in Columbus, Ohio, has been giving golfers trouble through the first two days of the NCAA Columbus Regional.

Maria Torres watches her shot during the SunTrust Gator Women's Golf Invitational on Saturday, March 11, 2017, at the Mark Bostick Golf Course in Gainesville.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS GOLF

Gators lead NCAA Regional after Round One

By Morgan McMullen | May 9, 2017

The No. 6-ranked Gators women’s golf team gave a convincing argument two weeks ago for why they believed they should be the No. 1 seed at the NCAA Regional Championships in Columbus, Ohio. With a commanding 13-stroke victory over Alabama and Georgia, Florida took home its ninth SEC title in program history.

Justine McLean celebrates after reaching base during Florida's 5-0 win over Georgia on April 8, 2017, at Katie Seashole Pressly Stadium.

SPORTS | SOFTBALL

Softball’s seniors prepare for final hurrah

By Cassie Amundson | May 9, 2017

This past Saturday marked Senior Day at Katie Seashole Pressly Stadium, a special outing dedicated Florida's three-member graduating class.

Baltimore Orioles third baseman Manny Machado reacts after striking out during Wednesday's 4-2 loss to the Boston Red Sox.

SPORTS | COLUMNS

Column: Red Sox-Orioles mutual hatred good for baseball

By Jake Dreilinger | May 9, 2017

When the Baltimore Orioles played the Boston Red Sox in a four-game series starting May 1, one of baseball’s budding rivalries was put on full display.

Former UF linebacker Jarrad Davis poses with his parents, Amy and John Davis, at a Detroit Lions press conference on April 28, 2017, in Allen Park, Michigan. Davis was selected 21st overall by the Lions in the 2017 NFL Draft.

SPORTS | BASEBALL

Gators Summer Break Roundup

By Dylan Dixon | May 9, 2017

While spring classes at the University of Florida may have wrapped up several weeks ago, Gators athletics certainly did not.

Aleshia Ocasio crouches on defense during Florida's 15-7 win over Bethune-Cookman on March 29, 2017, at Katie Seashole Pressly Stadium.

SPORTS | SOFTBALL

Softball defeats North Texas, FAMU to conclude regular season

By Cassie Amundson | May 8, 2017

As FAMU pitcher Veronica Burse threw a ball right down the center of the mound, she should’ve realized what was coming.

UF outfielder Ryan Larson jogs to the dugout during Florida's 3-2 loss against Tennessee on April 8, 2017, at McKethan Stadium.

SPORTS | BASEBALL

Gators' offense jumps on Rebels to complete weekend sweep

By Dylan Dixon | May 8, 2017

As Ryan Larson began to jog up the first-base line, Thomas Dillard took one look over his shoulder before turning back to face home plate.

UF attacker Mollie Stevens fights for the ball during Florida's 15-8 win against Denver on March 28, 2017, at Donald R. Dizney Stadium.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS LACROSSE

Gators down Denver to win third straight Big East Championship

By Jake Dreilinger | May 6, 2017

Denver goalie Maddy Stevenson stepped out of the crease on a Pioneers clear attempt, looking to help ease the pressure Florida was exerting on the clear.

UF outfielder Chelsea Herndon scores a run during Florida's 15-7 win against Bethune-Cookman on March 29, 2017, at Katie Seashole Pressly Stadium.

SPORTS | SOFTBALL

Gators Dominate Mean Green Pitchers for Senior Day Victory

By Skyler Lebron | May 6, 2017

On No. 1 Florida softball’s senior day game against North Texas, the Gators owned a 3-0 through four innings.