Sports - The Independent Florida Alligator

South Carolina quarterback Connor Shaw throws against Florida in a 17-12 win Nov. 12. Shaw threw 14 touchdown passes and ran for eight last season.

SPORTS | COLUMNS

Clowns, guns and ‘John Carter’: Who will win the SEC East?

By COREY MCCALL | July 11, 2012

Corey: With opening night of the Olympics 15 days away, baseball has begun its media dominance. Naturally, my time has been spent watching countless hours of NCIS reruns. But we here at alligatorSports have a solution: football talk. Yes, it’s time to start dreaming of the gridiron. So, to kick it off, we debate who will win the Southeastern Conference’s East Division this season. And despite kicking them to the curb on NCAA 13 the other day, I’m taking South Carolina — luckily ECU is a non-conference game. The Gamecocks are coming off of an 11-2 record, and with the Ol’ Ball Coach in charge, this is their year. Marcus Lattimore comes back healthy from an ACL tear, quarterback Connor Shaw will have only improved from last season and both starting safeties return to a secondary that was second in passing defense in the nation last year. Let the Cock growl.

SPORTS | COLUMNS

Column: Home Run Derby needs makeover

By JOE MORGAN | July 9, 2012

I don’t care about the Home Run Derby.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS TRACK

Florida wins three events at U-23 meet

July 9, 2012

Although the 2012 season is over and the U.S. Olympic trials are finished, that didn’t stop three Gators from competing last weekend. Marquis Dendy, Jeremy Postin and Eddie Lovett all participated in the North American, Central American and Caribbean Under-23 Track and Field Championships in Guanajuato, Mexico.

Mike Zunino bats against North Carolina State during the NCAA Super Regional on June 10. In the Gators’ 9-8 victory against the Wolfpack, Zunino went 2 for 4 with a run scored and one RBI. The win sent Florida to the College World Series.

SPORTS | BASEBALL

Zunino beginning pro career in Single A

By The Associated Press | July 4, 2012

SEATTLE — At this point, Mike Zunino just wants to get through the whirlwind of being honored for his college career so his pro career can begin.

SPORTS | COLUMNS

Chipper’s final selection to All-Star Game resonates with sports editor

By JOE MORGAN | July 4, 2012

Billy Heywood is braver than most. Portrayed by Luke Edwards in the 1994 film Little Big League, Billy inherits the Minnesota Twins after the death of his grandfather, the team’s owner. One week later, Billy names himself manager.

Former Gator sprinter Tony McQuay (center) races against Josh Mance (left) and Joey Hughes Jr., in the men’s 400m semifinal at the U.S. Olympic Track and Field Trials on June 23. McQuay placed second in the finals with a personal record.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS TRACK

Sixteen current, former Gators qualify for London Olympics

By KATIE AGOSTIN | July 3, 2012

For sprinter Jeff Demps, this year has been about making sacrifices for the 2012 Summer Olympics.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS TRACK

Barbiasz one of several Gators competing in U.S. Olympic trials

By KATIE AGOSTIN | June 20, 2012

When junior Dwight Barbiasz first started competing in the high jump in 2008, he had to spend that summer watching the Olympics from home. This year Barbiasz wants in.

Freshman Justin Shafer walks off the field in dismay after dropping two straight games and failing to advance in the 2012 CWS. He went 2 for 5 with one RBI and stranded four runners on base in a 5-4 loss to Kent State on Monday.

SPORTS | COLUMNS

Column: O’Sullivan should have let Johnson hit with game on line

By JOE MORGAN | June 18, 2012

The Gators’ untimely demise at this year’s College World Series was unexpected to say the least.

Florida's Brian Johnson yells after lining out to South Carolina right fielder Adam Matthews in the seventh inning of an NCAA College World Series baseball game in Omaha, Neb., Saturday, June 16, 2012.

SPORTS | BASEBALL

Johnson's slow start, errors sink Florida against South Carolina

By JOE MORGAN | June 16, 2012

The third time against Brian Johnson proved to be the charm for South Carolina.

Greg Larson pitches against North Carolina State in the first game of the NCAA Super Regional on June 9. The senior pitcher has been to the College World Series three times during his career at Florida.

SPORTS | BASEBALL

Florida faces familiar foe in College World Series opener

By JOE MORGAN | June 13, 2012

After losing to South Carolina in the College World Series final last June, Florida has had the two-time defending national champions’ number this season.

N.C. State shortstop Chris Diaz reacts after striking out looking to end the game against Florida on June 10. Diaz sought out home plate umpire Steve Corvi to argue the call.

SPORTS

Column: Limited instant replay beneficial for baseball

By JOE MORGAN | June 13, 2012

Whether the Gators win or lose this year’s College World Series, Brian Johnson will always be remembered in Omaha. After an apparent Johnson home run was called a ground-rule double in Florida’s 8-4 win against Texas last season, instant replay has been implemented for the 2012 College World Series.

SPORTS

Column: Ultimate frisbee no longer just a ‘sport’ for hippies, stoners

By COREY MCCALL | June 13, 2012

You’ve heard of ultimate frisbee — you know, that game with the hippies running around barefoot, throwing around a disc and enjoying Janoris Jenkins’ favorite pastime.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS TRACK

McQuay decides to forego senior season for pro career

By KATIE AGOSTIN | June 13, 2012

Junior Tony McQuay has had a nice year in 2012. The sprinter started off winning the U.S. Championships in June, then won his first NCAA indoor title in the 400 meters and last week he won his first NCAA outdoor title in the 400 meters as well as Florida’s first 4x400-meter relay NCAA title.

Josh Tobias celebrates after scoring a run in the top of the ninth against North Carolina State Sunday. Tobias drove in the eventual winning run for Florida in the 10th frame.

SPORTS | BASEBALL

Tobias, freshmen prove clutch in Gators' return to College World Series

By JOE MORGAN | June 11, 2012

The Gators’ roster boasts nine new MLB prospects, but Florida relied on more than its highly-regarded upperclassmen to advance to a third straight College World Series.

SPORTS

The Rally: Will LeBron win his first championship ring?

By COREY MCCALL | June 11, 2012

Corey: For those of you looking for a competitive NBA finals, don’t get your hopes up. The real finals ended when the Thunder took four straight games to upset the Spurs. Now begins the encore: like when you sit through a Dexys Midnight Runners concert. When they hit the stage at the end to play one last song, there is only one possible outcome.

Mike Zunino bats in the seventh inning just before the first rain delay against N.C. State on Saturday. Zunino completed the at-bat with a home run two hours and three minutes later.

SPORTS | BASEBALL

Rain delays plague Gators' NCAA Super Regional sweep

By ADAM PINCUS< | June 11, 2012

With a potential third-straight Omaha appearance on the line, the top-ranked Gators received a bit of help from the dark clouds hovering above McKethan Stadium.

Keenan Kish celebrates after striking out Chris Diaz of North Carolina State to win the Super Regional game Sunday. Kish is scheduled to start against North Florida on Tuesday.

SPORTS | BASEBALL

Gators advance to third straight College World Series

By JOE MORGAN | June 10, 2012

When Keenan Kish struck out Chris Diaz looking to send the Gators to their third straight College World Series, the on-field scene played out like he imagined. Kish was at the bottom of the pile.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS TRACK

McQuay, Craddock win NCAA Outdoor titles

By KATIE AGOSTIN | June 9, 2012

The men are in the hunt again.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS GOLF

Bastel announced as women's golf coach

June 8, 2012

About two weeks after athletic director Jeremy Foley was shocked by the news of Jan Dowling resigning from her position as Florida women’s head golf coach, he was once again caught by surprise. This time it was by assistant coach Emily Bastel.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS TRACK

Barbiasz sets records at second day of NCAA Outdoor Championships

By KATIE AGOSTIN | June 8, 2012

To say junior Dwight Barbiasz had a big day on Thursday would be an understatement. Not only did his mark of 2.28 meters in the high jump set a new personal record for him, but it also tied Florida’s record in the event.