Sports - The Independent Florida Alligator

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 earn first Friday win beating Kentucky in SEC opener

By ADAM PINCUS< | Mar. 15, 2013

Tempers flared in the early going between Florida and Kentucky. Wildcats shortstop Matt Reida found himself in middle of rundown while stealing second. First baseman Vickash Ramjit applied a hard tag. Reida fell and pushed Ramjit while getting up. Benches cleared. First-base umpire Steve Manders yelled at the Florida dugout to get off the field.

Junior starter Hannah Rogers pitches during Florida’s 9-1 victory against UNC Wilmington on Feb. 17 at Katie Seashole Pressly Stadium. Rogers gave up five runs to Mississippi State in the second inning on Sunday.

SPORTS | SOFTBALL

Game-ending walk gives Florida win over Tennessee

By ADAM LICHTENSTEIN< | Mar. 15, 2013

Lauren Haeger was two strikes away from sealing a 5-3 Gators victory and notching her second save of the season.

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 | OTHER SPORTS TENNIS

Florida wins match after losing doubles point to Georgia

By MICHELLE PROVENZANO< | Mar. 15, 2013

The Gators found their master in doubles and it came in the form of Bulldogs.

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

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS TENNIS

Florida shut out by rival Georgia

By CHRIS KIRSCHNER< | Mar. 15, 2013

Tied at 8-8 in No. 1 doubles, Stephane Piro and Bob van Overbeek needed to win the 7-point tiebreaker to gain an early lead for the Gators over the Bulldogs.

Senior Isabelle Lendl chips a shot onto the green. Lendl finished tied for 32nd at the Bryan National Collegiate this weekend.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS GOLF

Gators in third after first round of home tournament

By RJ Schaffer | Mar. 15, 2013

The Florida women’s golf team got back to business on Friday, landing in third place after the first round of their annual home tournament, the SunTrust Gator Invitational.

Senior forward Erik Murphy (33) attempts a pass during Florida’s 69-52 win against Kentucky on Feb. 12 in the O’Connell Center. The Chicago Bulls selected Murphy 49th overall on Thursday night in the 2013 NBA Draft.

SPORTS | MEN'S BASKETBALL

Florida defeats LSU 80-58 in SEC quarterfinals

By LANDON WATNICK< | Mar. 15, 2013

In UF’s first game of the Southeastern Conference Tournament, Erik Murphy propelled No. 13 Florida to a rout of LSU.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS TENNIS

Gators to face pair of top SEC opponents

By CHRIS KIRSCHNER< | Mar. 14, 2013

Mike Alford has had a chance to be the hero in Florida's past three matches, but he has come through just once for the Gators in match-deciding points.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS GOLF

Women’s golf team hosting Gator Invite

By RJ Schaffer | Mar. 14, 2013

The Gators are coming home.

Kiersten Wang performs on the uneven parallel bars in Florida’s win against Kentucky on Feb 22.

SPORTS | GYMNASTICS

International trip motivates gymnast

By CHUCK KINGSBURY< | Mar. 14, 2013

In Matagalpa, Nicaragua, flash floods are a part of everyday life.

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 | SOFTBALL

Freshman poses speedy threat on basepaths

By ADAM LICHTENSTEIN< | Mar. 14, 2013

Kelsey Stewart stood on third base, 60 feet from scoring.

Freshman Jay Carmichael warms up between innings during UF’s 8-2 loss to Florida Gulf Coast on Feb. 22. Carmichael walked four and hit two batters in Florida's 4-3 loss to Ole Miss on Friday.

SPORTS | BASEBALL

Freshman takes over No. 1 spot in Gators’ starting rotation

By ADAM PINCUS< | Mar. 14, 2013

Even though right-hander Jonathon Crawford has not been his best this season, coach Kevin O’Sullivan liked what he saw from his junior ace in a bullpen session on Wednesday. Crawford is returning to his sophomore form, which made him one of the top draft prospects heading into this year.

Junior center Patric Young (right) attempts a hook shot during Florida’s 66-40 win against Vanderbilt on March 6 in the O’Connell Center. .

SPORTS | MEN'S BASKETBALL

Florida hoping to regain intensity

By LANDON WATNICK< | Mar. 14, 2013

Forty-six seconds were all coach Billy Donovan could handle.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS TENNIS

Senior hoping to assume larger role in Florida’s lineup

By MICHELLE PROVENZANO< | Mar. 14, 2013

Caroline Hitimana is dynamic on the court.

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

Senior attacker aiming to extend season-long scoring streak

Mar. 14, 2013

The Gators lacrosse team, unbeaten through 10 games, is off to the best start in program history.

Senior attacker Gabi Wiegand prepares to take a shot during Florida’s 16-9 win against Stony Brook on Feb. 20 at Dizney Stadium. Wiegand scored four goals against Oregon on Saturday.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS LACROSSE

Senior anchoring Florida’s defense

Mar. 13, 2013

When Sam Farrell arrived at Florida, she wanted to be one of the best lacrosse players in the nation. Winning the Tewaaraton Award, considered the equivalent of the Heisman Trophy in college lacrosse, was her dream. Four years later, the senior has nearly reached her goal.

Ashanee Dickerson performs her floor routine in Florida’s 196.975-196.075 win against Kentucky on Feb. 22 in the O’Connell Center. Dickerson slipped on the balance beam in Florida's first event at the NCAA Super Six, but scored a 9.9 on the floor.

SPORTS | GYMNASTICS

Gators peaking as postseason nears

By CHUCK KINGSBURY< | Mar. 13, 2013

The spotlight is shining brightly on the Gators. Not only does Florida hold the highest scores in each event in the NCAA, but its roster continues to improve as it reaches the end of the regular season.

Sophomore Zack Powers is congratulated by teammates at home plate after hitting his second grand slam during Florida’s 16-5 win against Duke on Feb. 17 at McKethan Stadium.

SPORTS | COLUMNS

The Rally: How will baseball fare in SEC?

By ADAM PINCUS< | Mar. 13, 2013

Josh: There’s no shame in what happened to the Gators on Tuesday night. Florida lost to an undefeated rival in No. 5 Florida State. However, what is cause for alarm is the Gators’ performance against much lesser competition. UF lost to North Florida and was swept by Florida Gulf Coast. How are the Gators supposed to turn things around playing teams from one of the nation’s best conferences every weekend if they can’t take care of business against the Atlantic Sun Conference?

Defensive coordinator D.J. Durkin (right) speaks to coach Will Muschamp before Florida’s 33-23 loss to Louisville on Jan. 2 in the Sugar Bowl at the Superdome in New Orleans.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Durkin adjusting to new role as defensive coordinator

By PHILLIP HEILMAN< | Mar. 13, 2013

D.J. Durkin calls it good fortune.

Kelsey Stewart gets tagged out at home during Florida’s 9-1 win against UNC Wilmington on Feb. 17 at Katie Seashole Pressly Stadium. Stewart picked up two hits in the Gators' 3-2 loss to Georgia on Friday.

SPORTS | SOFTBALL

Gators slumping in clutch

By ADAM LICHTENSTEIN< | Mar. 13, 2013

Lauren Haeger stepped to the plate with two outs and center fielder Kirsti Merritt on second base on Saturday.

SPORTS | MEN'S BASKETBALL

Donovan, Gators win SEC awards

Mar. 12, 2013

Florida snagged several of the Southeastern Conference’s top individual honors on Tuesday.