Sports - The Independent Florida Alligator

SPORTS | SOFTBALL

UF looks to snap losing skid

By ERICA A. HERNANDEZ | Apr. 3, 2014

Florida is arguably more eager for a win now than it has been all season.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS LACROSSE

Freshman stout on defense

By EDEN OTERO | Apr. 3, 2014

From 2010 until 2013, No. 4 Florida faced the challenge of defending against midfielder Erin Fitzgerald when it played Northwestern.

Elliott Orkin attempts to hit the ball during his singles match against UNF on Jan. 22.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS

Ranked singles players lead Floirda into road contest against Mississippi State

By BRITNEE MCCOY< | Apr. 3, 2014

Coming off of a win against LSU, Florida is looking to continue its Southeastern Conference success when it travels to Starkville, Miss., today to take on Mississippi State.

UConn guard Shabazz Napier hoists the East Regional trophy after his team’s 60-54 win against Michigan State on Sunday in New York.

SPORTS | MEN'S BASKETBALL

UF gearing for UConn guard Napier

By JONATHAN CZUPRYN< | Apr. 2, 2014

Shabazz Napier has more All-Conference First-Team selections than Scottie Wilbekin. He has more career points than Patric Young and Will Yeguete combined. He had more minutes on the court in just his freshman year than Casey Prather had in nearly three years of action.

Connecticut forward DeAndre Daniels (2) dunks against Michigan State on Sunday in Madison Square Garden in New York.

SPORTS | MEN'S BASKETBALL

Huskies forward Daniels thriving in NCAA Tournament

By LANDON WATNICK< | Apr. 2, 2014

When people talk about Connecticut, the attention generally focuses on Shabazz Napier — the Huskies’ leading scorer and one of the most dynamic talents in the nation. But another player on UConn coach Kevin Ollie’s roster has stepped up in a big way for his team in the postseason.

Kirsti Merritt bats during Florida’s 8-0 win against Mercer on March 12 at Katie Seashole Pressly Stadium.

SPORTS | SOFTBALL

UF hitters slumping in SEC

By JORDAN MCPHERSON | Apr. 1, 2014

After winning 22 straight games to start the season and outscoring opponents 181-29 in those matchups, Florida has hit a slump.

Bridget Sloan performs a balance-beam routine during Florida’s 197.525-196.025 win against Arkansas on Feb. 14 in the O’Connell Center.

SPORTS | GYMNASTICS

Sloan, Gators focusing on team competition in postseason play

By ERICA A. HERNANDEZ | Apr. 1, 2014

For Bridget Sloan and the rest of the Florida gymnasts, the time for individual goals is over.

Kayla Lewis attempts a shot during Florida’s 81-76 loss against Missouri on Feb. 20 in the O’Connell Center. Lewis will be the Gators’ only senior on the team’s roster next year.

SPORTS | WOMEN'S BASKETBALL

Seniors hand over team’s reins to redshirt junior Lewis

By GORDON STREISAND< | Apr. 1, 2014

This season, a small, quick, offensive-minded Florida team made its way to the second round of the NCAA Tournament despite having only eight players for much of the way.

Marquis Dendy (far left) races in the 55m on Jan. 17, 2013, during the Gator Invitational in the O’Connell Center. Dendy finished first in the long jump at the Texas Relays.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS

Dendy re-emerges after poor performance at Indoors

By LAWRENCE LAGUNA< | Apr. 1, 2014

Marquis Dendy is on his way to recovering from the NCAA Indoor Championships.

Billy Donovan looks on during Florida’s 79-68 win against UCLA on Thursday in FedExForum in Memphis, Tenn. Donovan will coach in his fourth Final Four when Florida faces UConn on Saturday night in Arlington, Texas.

SPORTS | MEN'S BASKETBALL

Donovan keeping players calm as they enter Final Four

By JORDAN MCPHERSON | Mar. 31, 2014

Billy Donovan has seen his team accomplish a lot this season.

Bobby Poyner pitches during Florida’s 2-1 win against Arkansas on March 15, 2014 at McKethan Stadium.

SPORTS | BASEBALL

Pitching staff launches Florida into top-25 ranking

By ADAM PINCUS< | Mar. 31, 2014

March didn’t treat only the Florida men’s basketball program well.

Bridget Sloan performs a beam routine during Florida’s 197.525-196.025 win against Arkansas on Feb. 14 in the O’Connell Center.

SPORTS | GYMNASTICS

UF resting before NCAAs

By ERICA A. HERNANDEZ | Mar. 31, 2014

A week off gave Florida gymnasts exactly what they need to regroup after an unexpected second-place finish at the 2014 Southeastern Conference Championship.

Sam Darcangelo prepares to shoot during Florida’s 18-7 win against High Point on Feb. 15, 2014 at Donald R. Dizney Stadium.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS LACROSSE

Sophomore midfielder amping up production for Florida

By EDEN OTERO | Mar. 31, 2014

Florida has shown how difficult being undefeated truly is. The Gators have finished undefeated in American Lacrosse Conference play only once — in 2012.

Scottie Wilbekin calls out a play to his teammates during Florida’s 62-52 win against Dayton on Saturday in FedExForum. Wilbekin was named the Most Outstanding Player of the South Region of the NCAA Tournament after the Gators defeated the Flyers.

SPORTS | MEN'S BASKETBALL

Wilbekin provides leadership to Final Four-bound Gators

By JONATHAN CZUPRYN< | Mar. 30, 2014

MEMPHIS, Tenn. — All eyes were on Scottie Wilbekin as the clock ticked.

Outfielder Harrison Bader bats during Florida’s 4-0 win against Ole Miss on March 31, 2013, at McKethan Stadium.

SPORTS | BASEBALL

UF completes sweep of LSU

By ADAM LICHTENSTEIN< | Mar. 30, 2014

When Florida visited LSU in May 2013, the Tigers greeted the Gators with a dominating three-game sweep.

Patric Young prepares to shoot during Florida’s 62-52 win against Dayton on Saturday in FedExForum in Memphis, Tenn.

SPORTS | MEN'S BASKETBALL

Florida defense key in victory

By JORDAN MCPHERSON | Mar. 30, 2014

MEMPHIS, Tenn. — No. 1 seed Florida’s defense looked as stout as ever heading into halftime against No. 11 seed Dayton on Saturday.

Nora Barry drives toward the ball during Florida’s 21-5 win against Jacksonville on Feb. 12 at Donald R. Dizney Stadium. Barry had one assist in Florida’s 13-9 win against Penn State on Sunday.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS LACROSSE

Junior midfielder leads Gators in win against Nittany Lions

By EDEN OTERO | Mar. 30, 2014

For three years, Nora Barry has played the supporting role of the unsung hero.

Camilla Hedberg putts the ball during the SunTrust Gator Invitational on March 15.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS GOLF

Hedberg finishes third as Florida ends tourney in ninth

By EMILY COCHRANE< | Mar. 30, 2014

Junior Camilla Hedberg’s second consecutive top-five placing while braving both sleet and wind led the Gators to a ninth-place finish Sunday.

Alexandra Cercone swings during Florida’s 7-0 victory against Baylor on Feb. 2, 2013, at the Ring Tennis Complex.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS

Gators sweep Tigers in home match

By IAN COHEN | Mar. 30, 2014

With four matches left in the season and the Southeastern Conference Tournament drawing closer, the Gators will soon try to capture their third national title in four years.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS

Florida men have best showing at NCAA Championships in 23 years

By Logan McGuire | Mar. 30, 2014

There just wasn’t enough left in the tank for the Gators to make a push down the stretch at the NCAA Men’s Swimming and Diving Championships, which ended Saturday.