sports - The Independent Florida Alligator

Mikey Meagher (5) defends a goal against Northwestern on May 5, 2012. Coach Amanda O'Leary pulled Meagher in the second half of Florida's loss to Penn State to give the Gators an extra defender.

Sports

Meagher pulled in Gators' first loss

Apr. 4, 2013

Coach Amanda O’Leary used an unusual tactic against Penn State on Sunday, pulling her goalkeeper for an extra defender.

Coach Tim Walton signals to a base runner during Florida’s 3-1 victory against Auburn on April 14, 2012 at Katie Seashole Pressly Stadium. Walton has started freshman Taylor Schwarz at first base in every Southeastern Conference game.

Sports

Freshman’s confidence, plate approach improving

By ADAM LICHTENSTEIN< | Apr. 4, 2013

When Taylor Schwarz arrived at Florida, it was unclear how much playing time she would see.

Sophomore jumper Marquis Dendy competes in the long jump at the SEC Indoor Track Championships on Feb. 23 in Fayetteville, Ark. Dendy qualified for the men's triple jump in next week's NCAA Outdoors Championships.

Sports

UF hosting 69th Florida Relays

By GORDON STREISAND< | Apr. 4, 2013

For the first time this outdoor season, the Gators are coming home.

Quarterback Jeff Driskel attempts a pass during Florida’s 33-23 loss to Louisville on Jan. 2 at the Superdome in New Orleans. This season will be Driskel’s second as UF’s starting signal-caller.

Sports

Gators aiming to achieve more offensive balance in 2013

By JOE MORGAN< | Apr. 4, 2013

Florida was a running team in 2012.

UF senior Bob van Overbeek returns a volley. Van Overbeek won only his second match since Feb. 3 against Ole Miss on Friday.

Sports

Freshman leading Florida in final stretch

By CHRIS KIRSCHNER< | Apr. 4, 2013

Freshman Luke Johnson's college tennis career got off to a rough start.

Sophomore Kytra Hunter performs her beam routine in a dual meet against Ball State on Jan. 4 in the O’Connell Center. Hunter won the all-around title at the NCAA Regionals on Saturday.

Sports

Gators looking to continue home monmentum

By CHUCK KINGSBURY< | Apr. 4, 2013

When No. 1 Florida (15-2, 6-1 Southeastern Conference) hosts the 2013 NCAA Regionals on Saturday, history will be on its side.

UF senior Lauren Embree returns a volley from Baylor sophomore Ema Burgic during the No. 1 Gators’ 7-0 win against the 15th-ranked Bears on Feb. 2. Embree has won four Southeastern Conference titles at Florida.

Sports

Seniors looking to end year with SEC title

By MICHELLE PROVENZANO< | Apr. 4, 2013

Senior Lauren Embree has been vital to the Gators not only this season, but all four of her years on the team.

Linebacker Antonio Morrison (12) squats at the line of scrimmage during Florida’s 17-9 loss to Georgia on Oct. 27 at Everbank Field in Jacksonville.

Sports

The Hit Man: Morrison growing into new role

By JOE MORGAN< | Apr. 4, 2013

The pocket was breaking down, and Antonio Morrison saw EJ Manuel had nowhere to go.

Right-handed pitcher Johnny Magliozzi (left) celebrates with catcher Taylor Gushue during Florida’s 4-0 win against Ole Miss on March 31 at McKethan Stadium.

Sports

Steady bullpen proving reliable for starting staff

By JOSH JURNOVOY< | Apr. 4, 2013

Less than two innings into the Gators’ game against UCF on Tuesday, they already faced what coach Kevin O’Sullivan said was the most important point in the game.

Freshman guard Sydney Moss loses her grip on the ball during Florida 69-58 loss to Arkansas on Feb. 28 in the O’Connell Center.

Sports

Florida’s WNIT run ends in Final Four loss to Drexel

By PHIL HEILMAN< | Apr. 3, 2013

As she has throughout the WNIT, Sydney Moss dominated for most of Wednesday night.

Florida defensive tackle Damien Jacobs tackles Louisville quarterback Teddy Bridgewater (5) during the Gators’ 33-23 loss to the Cardinals on Jan. 2 at the Superdome in New Orleans.

Sports

Depleted defensive line looking for consistency on interior

By JOE MORGAN< | Apr. 3, 2013

Florida ranked fourth nationally in rushing defense last season, surrendering only 94.5 yards per game on the ground. Defensive tackle Sharrif Floyd was the driving force.

Freshman infielder Kelsey Stewart (7) throws a ball to freshman first baseman Taylor Schwarz (49) to end an inning during Florida’s 9-1 win over UNC Wilmington on Feb. 17 at Katie Seashole Pressly Stadium. Stewart is one of Florida's key underclassmen who have fueled the team's success this season.

Sports

Gators take down Knights in rain-shortened contest

By ADAM LICHTENSTEIN< | Apr. 3, 2013

Florida’s game against Ole Miss on Saturday in Oxford, Miss., was moved due to rain. On Wednesday, the rain followed the Gators to Gainesville.

Bridget Sloan performs on vault in UF’s 196.975-196.075 win against UK on Feb. 22. Sloan and Kytra Hunter were the only Gators to stick their landings in vault at the SEC Championships on March 23.

Sports

Gators focusing on sticking landings

By CHUCK KINGSBURY< | Apr. 3, 2013

Sophomore Kytra Hunter, with her body balanced in preflight, stuck her vault routine to round out Florida’s rotation at the Southeastern Conference Championships on March 23.

Coach Will Muschamp walks off the field following Florida’s 33-23 loss to Louisville in the Sugar Bowl  on Jan. 2 at the Superdome in New Orleans. Muschamp owns an 18-8 record in two seasons with the Gators.

Sports

Injuries force adjustment to UF’s spring game

By GREG LUCA< | Apr. 2, 2013

The Gators have decided to ditch the traditional spring game in favor of what is essentially an open practice.

Catcher Taylor Gushue throws the ball back to the mound during warmups between innings in Florida’s 4-0 victory against Ole Miss on March 31 at McKethan Stadium.

Sports

Gators top Knights on pair of late rallies

By ADAM PINCUS< | Apr. 2, 2013

For half an inning, an errant throw appeared to have turned a game-saving play into a game-changing blunder.

Freshman guard Sydney Moss (right) attempts a shot during Florida’s 87-54 victory against Alabama on Feb. 3 in the O’Connell Center. Moss announced that she will transfer from Florida on Tuesday.

Sports

Freshman fueling Florida’s WNIT run

By PHIL HEILMAN< | Apr. 2, 2013

Sydney Moss enjoys nothing more than ruining the day of opposing players and fans, something she has made a habit of doing during the Gators’ run to the Final Four of the WNIT.

Junior Hannah Rogers pitches during Florida’s 7-3 win against FSU on March 27 at Katie Seashole Pressly Stadium. Rogers struck out 11 in her complete-game victory against Longwood on Saturday.

Sports

Junior pitcher shouldering heavy burden for Gators

By ADAM LICHTENSTEIN< | Apr. 2, 2013

Coach Tim Walton does not announce probable starting pitchers before each game. But if he did, Hannah Rogers’ name would appear more often than not.

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

Florida peaking at right time for postseason push

By JOSH JURNOVOY< | Apr. 1, 2013

After a month and a half of sub-par play, the Florida baseball team is coming off its best series of the season, taking two of three games from Ole Miss last weekend.

Coach Amanda Butler watches from the sidelines during Florida’s 62-57 loss to Georgia on Feb. 17 in the O’Connell Center.

Sports

UF tough on road in WNIT Final Four run

By PHIL HEILMAN< | Apr. 1, 2013

The Gators’ path to the Final Four of the WNIT has been a whirlwind — four games in four cities during a span of 10 days. And it has been equally unconventional.

Sophomore pitcher and first baseman Lauren Haeger swings during Florida’s 6-5 win against Tennessee on March 15 at Katie Seashole Pressly Stadium. Haeger hit her first home run since March 22 in the Gators' 7-4 win against the No. 18 Wildcats.

Sports

Sophomore enduring rare slump

By ADAM LICHTENSTEIN< | Apr. 1, 2013

For five games, Lauren Haeger was arguably the best softball player in the country.