sports - The Independent Florida Alligator

Kitty Cullen attempts a shot during Florida's 14-7 win against Northwestern on May 5 at Dizney Stadium.

Sports

Seaon-high run spurs Gators win

Mar. 5, 2013

After jumping to an 8-4 lead against No. 12 Loyola in the second half, the second-ranked Gators found themselves on their heels.

Sophomore Casey Turgeon attempts a slide into third against Bethune-Cookman last season as Nick Johnson receives the throw. Turgeon and freshman Harrison Bader carried the Florida offense on Tuesday night in Jacksonville. Bader had his first career three-hit game.

Sports

Turgeon, Bader ignite Gators in road win against Dolphins

By ADAM PINCUS | Mar. 5, 2013

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — An injury to Florida's starting shortstop forced Kevin O’Sullivan to shuffle his lineup. Judging from their performance against Jacksonville, the Gators have found another potent pair at the top.

Freshman shortstop Richie Martin attempts to steal third base during Florida’s 16-5 win against Duke on Sunday at McKethan Stadium. Martin left Florida's 6-3 series-clinching win against Miami on Sunday after beating hit by a pitch in the hand.

Sports

Florida drops Miami, collects series win

By ADAM PINCUS | Mar. 3, 2013

After two nights of biting cold and mixed results, Florida (5-7) cruised to a 6-3 home win Sunday afternoon to clinch their fourth-straight series against Miami (10-2).

Sydney Moss (40) attempts a pass during Florida’s 68-57 loss to Vanderbilt on Thursday in the O’Connell Center. Moss notched her third career double-double in Florida's 67-56 loss at South Carolina on Sunday.

Sports

Gators fall to Gamecocks in reglar season finale

Mar. 3, 2013

With one final chance to bolster their resume prior to the Southeastern Conference Tournament, the Gators fell short in their regular season finale on Sunday.

Lauren Haeger stands in the circle between pitches during Florida's 4-1 home loss to USF on March 28, 2012. Haeger struck out five in the Gators 9-1 win against the Bulls on Wednesday.

Sports

UF pitchers combine for perfect game

By ADAM LICHTENSTEIN | Mar. 3, 2013

A day after junior pitcher Hannah Rogers had a no-hitter revoked after a victory, the Gators pitching staff combined for a perfect game.

Sports

Gators snap skid with win against Aggies

By CHRIS KIRSCHNER< | Mar. 3, 2013

Mike Alford dropped his racket and threw his fists in the air as he celebrated the Gators’ first victory in five matches.

Sophomore catcher Taylor Gushue swings during Florida’s 7-3 victory against Cal State Fullerton on Feb. 17, 2012 at McKethan Stadium. Gushue  went 2 for 3 at the plate on Saturday. His two-run single in the eighth inning helped Florida even its series against Miami.

Sports

Gators even series against Hurricanes with comeback victory

By ADAM PINCUS | Mar. 2, 2013

Taylor Gushue slapped first base coach Don Norris’s hand after smacking a two-run single into right field. Florida, starving for the big hit, needed its catcher to come through in the eighth down a run.

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

Florida tops Syracuse in Final Four rematch

Mar. 2, 2013

With less than 7 minutes remaining, No. 2 Florida led No. 5 Syracuse 14-10 on Saturday evening, but it was a scenario that was all too familiar for the Gators.

Sports

Obinwa continues preparation for NCAA championships

By GORDON STREISAND< | Mar. 2, 2013

Junior mid-distance runner Sean Obinwa set a season-best for himself in the men’s 800m Saturday at the Alex Wilson Invitational in South Bend, Ind.

Casey Prather (24) attempts a shot while being contested by two Alabama defenders during Florida's 64-52 victory in the O'Connell Center. Prather had 10 points and nine rebounds in the win.

Sports

Late run helps Florida defeat Alabama, earn share of SEC title

By LANDON WATNICK | Mar. 2, 2013

After Florida fell behind 45-37 to Alabama with 12:23 remaining, forward Casey Prather sparked the Gators.

Right-handed starting pitcher Jonathon Crawford (23) throws a pitch during Florida’s 4-3 loss to Duke on Friday at McKethan Stadium. Crawford threw a career-high 103 pitches during six innings of work in Florida's 3-2 loss to Miami on Friday.

Sports

Gators fall to unbeaten Miami in series opener

By ADAM PINCUS | Mar. 1, 2013

Applause could be heard from short right field as the Hurricanes congratulated each other on their 10th consecutive victory to open the season.

Throwers coach Steve Lemke (left) and coach Mike Holloway walk across the field at Percy Beard Track at Pressly Stadium during the 2012 Florida Relays. Seventeen Gators qualified Sunday for the NCAA Outdoor Championships, which are set to begin June 5.

Sports

Florida runners fall short in quest for NCAA berths

By GORDON STREISAND< | Mar. 1, 2013

Distance runners Mark Parrish and Josh Izewski turned in solid performances in the men’s 5000m at the Alex Wilson Invitational in South Bend, Ind., on Friday.

Sophomore Alyssa Bache pitches in the Florida Lipton Invitational. Bache surrendered six runs in four innings of work against Ole Miss on Sunday.

Sports

Timely hitting spurs Friday sweep for Gators

By ADAM LICHTENSTEIN | Mar. 1, 2013

Most of Mount St. Mary’s pitcher Nicole Pagano’s pitches fooled Florida's batters.

Junior Florent Diep strikes the ball during Florida’s 5-2 victory against Miami on Jan. 19 at Linder Stadium.

Sports

Skidding Gators to host Texas A&M

By CHRIS KIRSCHNER< | Mar. 1, 2013

The Gators men’s tennis team dropped 25 spots in the Intercollegiate Tennis Association rankings during February and now sits at No. 35.

Sports

UF preparing for Bulldog Last Chance Meet

By ROBERT JUDIN< | Feb. 28, 2013

After Florida’s men were crowned as kings of swimming and diving in the Southeastern Conference last week, the Gators will now head to Georgia for the Bulldog Last Chance Meet. The meet will be a final opportunity for swimmers to qualify for the NCAA Championships toward the end of March.

Junior ace Hannah Rogers winds up to pitch during Florida’s 9-1 victory against UNC Wilmington on Feb. 17 at Katie Seashole Pressly Stadium. Rogers tossed 18.2 frames for the Gators at the Mary Nutter Collegiate Classic in Palm Springs, Calif.

Sports

Junior hurler pacing Florida’s thriving pitching staff

By ADAM LICHTENSTEIN | Feb. 28, 2013

For the first time in 2013, No. 4 Florida (17-1) has gone a week without run-ruling an opponent.

Gymnast Marissa King does a Gator Chomp during Florida’s 197.65-196.025 win against Auburn on Jan. 25 in the O’Connell Center.

Sports

Senior gymnast excited to perform in front of parents again

By CHUCK KINGSBURY< | Feb. 28, 2013

Marissa King’s parents went 48 meets without seeing her perform as a Gator.

Jennifer George (32) shoots during Florida’s 62-57 loss to Georgia on Sunday in the O’Connell Center. George notched her ninth double-double of the season in Florida's 69-58 win against Arkansas on Thursday.

Sports

Florida holds off late Arkansas rally for win in home finale

Feb. 28, 2013

Jennifer George wanted to cap a frustrating season with a victory in her final home game as a Gator.

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

Senior named No. 1 player

By MICHELLE PROVENZANO< | Feb. 28, 2013

Lauren Embree knows how to use her racket.

Right-hander Jonathon Crawford throws a pitch during Florida’s 8-2 loss to Florida Gulf Coast on Feb 22 at McKethan Stadium. Selected 20th by the Detroit Tigers in the first round of the MLB Draft on Thursday, Crawford is the highest Florida pitcher taken since John Burke went sixth to the Houston Astros in 1991.

Sports

Gators need starters to last longer, take pressure off bullpen

By ADAM PINCUS | Feb. 28, 2013

After yet another poor performance on the mound, closer Johnny Magliozzi had enough. He brought Florida’s pitching staff together for a meeting after Wednesday’s extra-inning loss to North Florida.