Sports - The Independent Florida Alligator

Freshman Bridget Sloan performs her bar routine during Florida's 198.10-196.85 win against Alabama on Feb. 8 in the O'Connell Center. Sloan won the all-around title at the SEC Championship meet on Saturday.

SPORTS | GYMNASTICS

Freshman performing better in road meets

By CHUCK KINGSBURY< | Feb. 18, 2013

Bridget Sloan had rarely been rooted against before arriving at Florida.

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

SPORTS | SOFTBALL

Sophomore pitcher rebounding from slow start to 2013

By ADAM LICHTENSTEIN | Feb. 18, 2013

Alyssa Bache’s first inning in 2013 was not her finest hour.

UF associate head coach Anthony Nesty (right) watches during Florida’s dual-meet sweep against Tennessee on Feb. 1 in the O’Connell Center. Nesty said the Gators need to excel in relays to win the SEC championship.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS SWIM AND DIVE

UF swimming aims to win SEC meet

By ROBERT JUDIN< | Feb. 18, 2013

The Gators are trying to get over the hump.

Freshman guard Michael Frazier II (20) reacts after a play during Florida’s 75-36 win against South Carolina on Jan. 30 in the O’Connell Center.

SPORTS | MEN'S BASKETBALL

Florida facing stronger Missouri squad in rematch on road

By KATIE AGOSTIN | Feb. 18, 2013

The last time Florida played Missouri, the game got ugly. UF cruised to an 83-52 blowout on Jan. 19.

Olivia Janowicz prepares to return a serve in a match against Duke in 2011.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS TENNIS

Blue Devils snap Gators’ 25-match winning streak

By MICHELLE PROVENZANO< | Feb. 17, 2013

After Olivia Janowicz and Danielle Collins dropped the first doubles match to Duke’s Monica Turewicz and Hanna Mar 8-4, Florida could not get back on track.

Kenny Boynton attempts a shot during Florida’s 69-52 victory against Kentucky on Feb. 12 at the O’Connell Center.

SPORTS | MEN'S BASKETBALL

Three-point shooting key in UF win against Auburn

By LANDON WATNICK | Feb. 17, 2013

Before Saturday’s game, Kenny Boynton remembered what happened at Auburn Arena two seasons ago.

Sophomore first baseman Zack Powers hits the second of his two grand slams during Florida’s 16-5 win against Duke on Sunday at McKethan Stadium. Powers, who missed 2012 with a torn labrum, finished the Gator’ series-clinching victory with nine RBI.

SPORTS | BASEBALL

Sophomore hits two grand slams, helps clinch series

By JOSH JURNOVOY | Feb. 17, 2013

Zack Powers got his mojo back on Sunday.

Senior center fielder Cody Dent swings during Florida’s 16-5 win against Duke on Feb. 17 at McKethan Stadium. Dent hit his first career home run against Florida A&M on Monday.

SPORTS | BASEBALL

Senior returns to form during first series of final season

By ADAM PINCUS | Feb. 17, 2013

After Sunday’s game ended, clay dotted the right side of Cody Dent’s uniform from his chest to his cleats.

Freshman Bridget Sloan performs her beam routine in Florida’s 197.65-196.025 win against Auburn on Jan. 25 at home.

SPORTS | GYMNASTICS

No. 1 Florida collects third road win of season

By CHUCK KINGSBURY< | Feb. 16, 2013

What Florida accomplished on Saturday evening had not been done in nearly 21 years.

Sophomore second baseman Casey Turgeon throws the ball to first base during Florida’s 4-2 win against Florida Gulf Coast on Mar. 9, 2012, at McKethan Stadium. Turgeon had four hits and three RBI during a 6-4 victory against Indiana on Saturday.

SPORTS | BASEBALL

Turgeon, Gators even series against Blue Devils

By ADAM PINCUS | Feb. 16, 2013

Squirrel struck again for Florida.

Sophomore Alyssa Bache threw a complete game shutout against Savannah State on Saturday.

SPORTS | SOFTBALL

Bache throws shutout; Gators sweep Saturday

By ADAM LICHTENSTEIN | Feb. 16, 2013

Alyssa Bache took the circle against Savannah State for the second consecutive day.

Junior Jonathon Crawford throws a pitch during Florida’s 9-8 victory against NC State in Game 2 of the NCAA Gainesville Super Regional on June 10, 2012, at McKethan Stadium.

SPORTS | BASEBALL

Gators fall to Blue Devils in season opener

By JOSH JURNOVOY | Feb. 15, 2013

The Gators weren’t supposed to have to worry about Friday.

After giving up two easy goals at UNC, junior defender Sam Farrell said the Gators have made defensive adjustments in an effort to improve transition play.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS LACROSSE

Tampa 2 defense paying off for UF

Feb. 14, 2013

Tampa 2 is a defensive football strategy created by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the 1990s. Mixing his lacrosse and football background, Nick Williams formed a deviation of the Tampa 2 to incorporate in lacrosse.

Freshman Danielle Collins returns a serve during UF’s 7-0 win against USF on Jan. 29 at Linder Stadium. Collins teamed with Olivia Janowicz to win the only doubles match for the Gators on Friday.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS TENNIS

Gators ready for tough road tests

By MICHELLE PROVENZANO< | Feb. 14, 2013

Freshmen Danielle Collins and Brianna Morgan will learn first hand how rowdy opposing tennis teams’ fans can get.

Senior Vickash Ramjit bats during Florida’s 8-2 win against Georgia Southern on Apr. 17, 2012, at McKethan Stadium. Ramjit, who has played both first base and outfield during his college career, will serve as a team captain for the Gators in 2013.

SPORTS | BASEBALL

Out with the old, in with the new: Florida replacing nine departed players in 2013

By ADAM PINCUS | Feb. 14, 2013

Tom McNamara never left a Gators game disappointed. The Seattle Mariners Director of Amateur Scouting has studied players since 1994. McNamara began evaluating former Gators catcher Mike Zunino since the Cape Coral native was 16. The Mariners selected the Golden Spikes Award winner with the No. 3 pick in last June’s MLB Draft, during which eight other Florida players found new teams.