Sports - The Independent Florida Alligator

Senior Vickash Ramjit swings at a pitch against Florida State on March 12,at McKethan Stadium. UF will play in the Southeastern Conference Tournament today against TAMU.

SPORTS | COLUMNS

The Rally: What will be Florida’s biggest weakness in the postseason?

By ADAM LICHTENSTEIN< | May 20, 2013

The Florida baseball team could have played itself into being an NCAA Tournament lock with a strong finish to its season. Instead, the Gators lost seven of those 12 games, including two of three to unranked Auburn and Georgia. Today, alligatorSports baseball writers Josh Jurnovoy and Adam Lichtenstein debate what will give Florida more trouble in this week’s Southeastern Conference tournament: hitting or pitching.

Senior Carolina Hitimana clinched Florida's 4-2 victory against California on Sunday at the Khan Outdoor Tennis Complex in Urbana, Ill.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS TENNIS

Hitimana excels as Florida earns fourth straight Final Four berth

By MICHELLE PROVENZANO< | May 19, 2013

Caroline Hitimana found her edge on the court.

Shortstop Katie Medina throws out a USF runner of on Saturday at Katie Seashole Pressly Stadium. UF defeated USF 2-0 Sunday to advance to the NCAA Super Regional.

SPORTS | SOFTBALL

UF eliminates USF

By LANDON WATNICK< | May 19, 2013

Despite recording only one hit against USF, Florida found a way to march on to the Super Regionals.

Senior Tyler McCumber putts during the SunTrust Gator Invitational on Feb. 10 at Mark Bostick Golf Course.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS GOLF

Gators finish second in regional play, advance to NCAA Championships

By RICHARD JOHNSON | May 18, 2013

For the 13th straight year, Florida men’s golf will advance to the NCAA Championships.

Senior attacker Kitty Cullen looks to score against UAlbany on Feb. 24 at Donald R. Dizney Stadium. Cullen scored two goals in her final game for the Gators.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS LACROSSE

Syracuse ends Florida’s season for second straight year

By JOSH JURNOVOY< | May 18, 2013

There weren’t any controversial stick checks or overtime periods.

Sophomore Lauren Haeger (17) joins her teammates at home plate after a three-RBI blast during Florida’s 11-1 win against USF on Saturday at Katie Seashole Pressly Stadium. Against the Bulls, Haeger racked up seven RBI – tying a single-game UF record.

SPORTS | SOFTBALL

Haeger ties school record as Florida run-rules USF in five innings

By LANDON WATNICK< | May 18, 2013

Behind a career day from sophomore Lauren Haeger, Florida made quick work of USF.

Junior pitcher Daniel Gibson winds up for a pitch during Florida’s 14-5 win against South Carolina on Saturday at McKethan Stadium. Gibson allowed two home runs during the seventh inning in Florida's 9-2 loss to Georgia on Saturday.

SPORTS | BASEBALL

Gators drop rubber match against Bulldogs

By ADAM LICHTENSTEIN< | May 18, 2013

Georgia came into the final three-game set of the season against Florida without winning a series against a Southeastern Conference opponent in 2013.

Sophomore right-hander Alyssa Bache throws a pitch during UF’s 7-1 win against Hampton at Katie Seashole Pressly Stadium on Friday. Bache allowed only two hits in her first start since April 17.

SPORTS | SOFTBALL

Bache’s two-hitter lifts Florida past Hampton

By LANDON WATNICK< | May 17, 2013

When sophomore right-hander Alyssa Bache learned she would be the Gators’ starter in their first contest of the NCAA Tournament, she was ready to make a statement.

Josh Tobias throws the ball to first base during Florida’s 9-8 win against N.C. State in Game 2 of the NCAA Super Regional on June 10 at McKethan Stadium. Against Georgia on Friday, Tobias notched Florida's only RBI of the match on a ground-rule double.

SPORTS | BASEBALL

Gators' offense goes cold in loss to Bulldogs

By ADAM LICHTENSTEIN< | May 17, 2013

After taking the series opener on Thursday, Florida (29-26, 14-15 Southeastern Conference) lost 3-1 to Georgia (20-32, 6-20 SEC) to even the series on Friday.

Freshman Brianna Morgan hits a backhand to return a ball during a match against Tennessee on March 17.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS TENNIS

Morgan leads Florida to sweep of Duke, Elite Eight appearance

By MICHELLE PROVENZANO< | May 17, 2013

Freshman Brianna Morgan stays composed when the pressure is on.

Junior Jonathon Crawford pitches during Florida’s 11-5 loss to Kentucky on March 16 at McKethan Stadium. Crawford allowed just one run in 6.2 innings Thursday against the Bulldogs.

SPORTS | BASEBALL

Strong outing from Crawford fuels Florida past Georgia

By JOSH JURNOVOY< | May 16, 2013

Following one of his worst outings of the season, Jonathon Crawford found his command again.

UF sophomore Johnny Magliozzi warms up against Florida Gulf Coast University on February 24. Magliozzi may start on Saturday or pitch out of bullpen in Florida’s weekend series against Georgia.

SPORTS | BASEBALL

Closer juggles roles

By ADAM LICHTENSTEIN< | May 15, 2013

Johnny Magliozzi has been Florida’s most consistent pitcher in 2013. But with one series left in the regular season, his role still has not been defined.

Senior T.J. Vogel will lead Florida into the NCAA Tournament on Thursday, where it will face SEC foes No. 2 Alabama, No. 17 LSU and No. 24 Mississippi State.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS GOLF

UF golf to begin NCAA Regional

By RICHARD JOHNSON | May 15, 2013

The Florida men’s golf team will tee off postseason play today when it competes in the Baton Rouge Regional of the 2013 NCAA tournament.

Eli Carter (left), Rutgers' leading scorer last season with 14.9 points per game, announced April 30 that he will transfer to UF. Carter's decision to transfer followed the firing of former Scarlet Knights coach Mike Rice.

SPORTS | MEN'S BASKETBALL

Rutgers transfer to solidify future Florida backcourt

By PHIL HEILMAN< | May 15, 2013

After announcing his intent to transfer to Florida via his Twitter on April 30, former Rutgers guard Eli Carter gave his official notification to the school on Friday.

Mikey Meagher (5) joins her teammates on the field during player introductions before UF’s game against Ohio State on March 23. Meagher is preparing to play on the artificial surface of the Syracuse Carrier Dome on Saturday.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS LACROSSE

Florida prepares for indoor match in NCAA quarterfinals

By JOSH JURNOVOY< | May 15, 2013

Although it has existed as a program for fewer than four years, Florida has already developed an out-of-conference rival in Syracuse.

Kelsey Horton connects with a pitch in Florida's 5-2 win against Auburn on April 15, 2012. Horton hit a home run in Florida's 10-4 win against Missouri in the SEC Tournament final on Saturday.

SPORTS | SOFTBALL

Senior outfielder leads inexperienced Gators in postseason

By LANDON WATNICK< | May 15, 2013

With Florida down 2-0 to Missouri in the bottom of the second Saturday night, senior outfielder Kelsey Horton came to bat with a chance to even the score.

Freshman DeVon Walker runs down the court during Florida’s 83-52 win against Missouri on Jan. 19 in the O’Connell Center. Walker announced Monday he will return to Florida after asking for his release to transfer on May 6.

SPORTS | MEN'S BASKETBALL

Walker announces decision to remain at Florida

By LANDON WATNICK< | May 13, 2013

A week after Florida granted his release to transfer, forward DeVon Walker had a change of heart.

Junior Hannah Rogers waits in the circle during Florida’s 4-2 win against Mississippi State on April 6 at Katie Seashole Pressly Stadium. Rogers threw 288 pitches in 15 innings of work in the Southeastern Conference Tournament last weekend.

SPORTS | SOFTBALL

Ace tosses bulk of innings

By LANDON WATNICK< | May 13, 2013

After fanning Missouri’s Mackenzie Sykes for the final out of the seventh, junior right-hander Hannah Rogers ran to Taylore Fuller and hugged the freshman catcher as their teammates dashed out of the bullpen and joined the celebration.

SPORTS | COLUMNS

Incoming editor finds inspiration

By ADAM LICHTENSTEIN< | May 13, 2013

Last week, sports were the last thing on my mind.

Ciarra Brewer competes in the triple jump at the Southeastern Conference Outdoor Championships on May 13, 2012.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS TRACK

Track falls short at SEC meet

By GORDON STREISAND< | May 12, 2013

Although the conditions were different on the final day of the Southeastern Conference Outdoor Championships, the results were the same as they were earlier this season.