Sports - The Independent Florida Alligator

Josh Tobias bats during Florida's 14-8 win against Florida State on March 17 at McKethan Stadium.

SPORTS | BASEBALL

Florida struggles on offense in loss to Florida State

By IAN COHEN | Mar. 31, 2015

Florida needed more.

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

SPORTS | SOFTBALL

Notebook: Freshman pitcher giving up late home runs

By Patrick Pinak | Mar. 31, 2015

Before the seventh inning of Sunday’s game against Mississippi State, the Gators looked like they were going to fly home from Starkville on the brooms they were going to sweep the Bulldogs with.

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 | SOFTBALL

UF softball returns home for midweek against UNF

By Luis Torres | Mar. 31, 2015

With a schedule that’s been so jam packed with games throughout the season, the Florida softball team finds itself with only one day to prepare for its next game: a midweek matchup against in-state opponent UNF.

Atlanta Hawks' Al Horford (15) pulls down a rebound over Milwaukee Bucks' Ersan Ilyasova (7) and Michael Carter-Williams (5) in the first half of an NBA basketball game Monday, March 30, 2015, in Atlanta.

SPORTS | BASEBALL

Gators in the NBA: UF to be well-represented when NBA playoffs commence

By GRAHAM HALL | Mar. 31, 2015

Those anticipating a basketball letdown following NCAA’s March Madness can look to the professionals for relief.

Sophomore Karolina Vlckova high fives coach Emily Glaser during the final round of the 2015 SunTrust Gator Invitational on March 8.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS GOLF

UF women’s golf eyeing continued success following first win of season

By JUSTEN ROSENBERG | Mar. 31, 2015

The Gators women’s golf team will look to carry over last week’s first-place finish at the Briar’s Creek Invitational, as they compete in the Bryan National Collegiate tournament this weekend in Greensboro, North Carolina.

Treon Harris drops back to pass during practice on Monday.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

McElwain frustrated at lack of commitment at practice

By Luis Torres | Mar. 30, 2015

Harrison Bader rounds first base after hitting an RBI triple in the first inning of Florida's 14-8 win against Florida State on Tuesday at McKethan Stadium.

SPORTS | BASEBALL

Florida expecting physical play from Florida State

By IAN COHEN | Mar. 30, 2015

Florida’s Danny Young, racing after a ball bouncing down the first base line, didn’t intend to collide with FSU’s D.J. Stewart.

Randy Shannon coaches during practice on Monday at Donald R. Dizney Stadium.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Randy Shannon making most of limited linebackers group

By MORGAN MORIARTY | Mar. 30, 2015

New co-defensive coordinator and linebackers coach Randy Shannon knew Florida did not have its best practice on Monday.

Bridgette Caquatto performs her floor exercise routine during the Southeastern Conference Championships on March 21 at the Arena at Gwinnett Center in Duluth, Georgia.

SPORTS | GYMNASTICS

Caquatto becoming silent leader for Gators gymnastics

By GRAHAM HACK | Mar. 30, 2015

At 5-foot-3, Bridgette Caquatto doesn’t stand out among her fellow UF gymnasts when they all crowd around to watch a teammates’ routine.

Shannon Gilroy runs down the field during Florida's 14-13 overtime loss to Syracuse on March 10 at Donald R. Dizney Stadium.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS LACROSSE

Gators starting Big East conference play on a high note

By ALEX MAMINAKIS | Mar. 30, 2015

Some people like change.

Diego Hidalgo prepares to serve during the SEC Fall Classic at UF's Ring Tennis Complex

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS TENNIS

Men’s tennis team showcased resiliency against Auburn

By CAYLEE UNDERWOOD | Mar. 30, 2015

After Florida dropped the doubles point against Auburn on Saturday, the Gators could have admitted defeat.

Eric Banks putts during the first day of the SunTrust Gator Invitational on Feb. 14.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS GOLF

UF men’s golf solidifying postseason lineup

By Ryan Summers | Mar. 30, 2015

With only one tournament left in the regular season, UF men’s golf coach JC Deacon is not worrying about the results.

Jon Bullard participates in the Florida football team's first Spring practice of 2015 on Monday at Donald R. Dizney Stadium.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Florida defensive linemen not focusing on big picture

By Luis Torres | Mar. 29, 2015

Chris Rumph is the type of coach who isn’t afraid of criticizing or challenging his players.

Dalton Guthrie swings at a pitch during Florida's 8-7 win against Fairfield on March 10 at McKethan Stadium. Guthrie scored the go-ahead run for Florida in its 9-7 win against Vanderbilt on Saturday.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS

Roundup: Midseason Report

Mar. 29, 2015

Baseball

SPORTS | SOFTBALL

UF softball drops final game against Mississippi State

By Luis Torres | Mar. 29, 2015

Caroline Seitz and the Mississippi State offense had nothing going on for six innings.

Freshman Caeleb Dressel jumps into the pool at the start of the 200-yard breaststroke event during Day 3 of the 2014 Pinch A Penny Invitational

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS SWIM AND DIVE

UF men finish fifth at NCAA Championships

By JORDAN MCPHERSON | Mar. 29, 2015

The UF men’s swimming and diving team finished in fifth place at the 2015 NCAA Championships, which concluded Saturday.

Freshman Jeremy Vasquez runs toward first base during Florida's 7-4 win against Alabama on March 28 at McKethan Stadium.

SPORTS | BASEBALL

Late rally leads Florida baseball in series-clinching win over Alabama

By JORDAN MCPHERSON | Mar. 28, 2015

After Alabama took a 4-3 lead in the top of the sixth inning on Saturday, No. 4 Florida was back on the defensive.

SPORTS | SOFTBALL

First-inning outburst carries UF softball over Mississippi State

By Luis Torres | Mar. 28, 2015

Before its series against Mississippi State, Florida coach Tim Walton wanted to see his offense step up its game.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS LACROSSE

Gators lacrosse powers past Temple

By ALEX MAMINAKIS | Mar. 28, 2015

In its first season as a member of the Big East, Florida is asserting itself as one of the conference’s frontrunners.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS TRACK

Senior jumper highlights Texas Relays in outdoor season debut

By Kyle Brutman | Mar. 27, 2015

Ciarra Brewer kicked off her final collegiate outdoor season with a triple jump victory on Day 2 of the Texas Relays.