Sports | Baseball - The Independent Florida Alligator

Pete Alonso holds the champions trophy after winning the MLB All Star baseball Home Run Derby, Monday, July 12, 2021, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

SPORTS | BASEBALL

Polar Bear hits ball far, wins HR Derby

By Michael Hull | July 12, 2021

Former Florida Gator Pete Alonso rePetes as home run derby champion Monday night.

Junior center fielder Jud Fabian knocked his 23rd and 24th home runs of the year Sunday against Oklahoma.

SPORTS | BASEBALL

Seven Gators come off the board on day two of MLB Draft

By Jesse Richardson | July 12, 2021

Outfielder Jud Fabian was first of seven Gators selected on day two of the MLB Draft Monday

Tampa Bay Rays' Mike Zunino hits a solo home run during the ninth inning of a baseball game against the Washington Nationals at Nationals Park, Tuesday, June 29, 2021, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

SPORTS | BASEBALL

Gators in the MLB - former Florida stars shine in pros

By Jesse Richardson | July 9, 2021

With the MLB season in full swing, Jesse Richardson ranks the best of the active UF alumni in professional baseball.

Florida left-handed pitcher Hunter Barco pitches against Jacksonville on March 14, 2021.

SPORTS | BASEBALL

Gators baseball announce Summer League assignments

By Jesse Richardson | June 23, 2021

Nine Florida baseball players will begin their summer assignments in early July. Pitchers Hunter Barco and Brandon Sproat will play with Team USA.

Florida baseball head coach Kevin O'Sullivan argues with in the sixth inning of a 19-1 loss to South Alabama on June 5.

SPORTS | BASEBALL

Florida baseball: What went wrong in 2021?

By Ryan Haley | June 19, 2021

In fifteen months, Florida baseball went from reaching the top of the country to falling out of their home regional in straight games. The statistics tell the story of what changed in the 15 months between 16 straight wins and a 19-1 loss.

Florida’s Nathan Hickey walks towards the dugout Friday against South Florida. The Gators lost 19-1 against South Alabama Saturday to be swept out of their host regional and end their season.

SPORTS | BASEBALL

The inevitable delayed: Florida baseball ends season with rain delay and blowout loss

By Ryan Haley | June 6, 2021

When the thunder rolled in on Florida Ballpark Saturday, the Florida baseball team had two hours to ponder the imminent loss — and the end of their season.

Florida's Kevin O'Sullivan yells at an umpire during the Gators' loss to South Alabama June 5, 2021. Florida fell to Tennessee on Friday night, losing 9-2.

SPORTS | BASEBALL

Gators lose to South Alabama by 18 runs. Yes, 18 runs.

By Ryan Haley | June 5, 2021

19 runs. 21 hits. A ten-run sixth inning. Three home runs in the seventh. An hour and 50 minute rain delay. All of it added up to a season-ending 19-1 loss for Florida baseball.

Jacob Young swings against USF. The Gators lost to the Bulls 5-3 Friday.

SPORTS | BASEBALL

Two-hour rain delay washes Florida into loser’s bracket in regionals

By Jesse Richardson | June 4, 2021

The Florida Gators move down to the loser’s bracket of the Gainesville regional.

Florida catcher Nathan Hickey slides into second base March 13 against Jacksonville University. Florida takes on USF Friday in the first round of the NCAA Regional.

SPORTS | BASEBALL

Gators ready to roll against South Florida

By Jesse Richardson | June 3, 2021

The first pitch from Tommy Mace will be tossed after the pre-game ceremonies at noon.

Florida's Jacob Young in a game against Jacksonville on March 14. Young and the Gators welcome Miami, South Alabama and South Florida to Florida Ballpark for regional competition beginning Friday.

SPORTS | BASEBALL

NCAA Regional matchups are set in the Swamp

By Jesse Richardson | May 31, 2021

The Florida Gators earn the 15-seed and host Miami, South Florida and South Alabama in their home ballpark. They take on USF this Friday at noon.

Florida's Brandon Sproat pitches against Jacksonville on March 13, 2021. Sproat pitched 8.1 innings Tuesday in Florida's 2-1 win over South Carolina.

SPORTS | BASEBALL

Florida taken down by Tennessee

By Jesse Richardson | May 29, 2021

The No. 13 Florida Gators have been eliminated in the SEC semifinals after a 4-0 loss to Tennessee after the offense mustered just four hits.

Florida's Sterlin Thompson swings against Jacksonville on March 13, 2021. Thompson hit a solo home run on Tuesday against the North Florida Ospreys en route to a 11-2 victory.

SPORTS | BASEBALL

Gators offense explodes again, pushes team to conference semifinal

By Jesse Richardson | May 27, 2021

The sixth-seed Florida Gators quell the Crimson Tide to advance in the SEC tournament.

Florida's Sterlin Thompson eyes a hit and runs down the first base line against Jacksonville on March 14, 2021.

SPORTS | BASEBALL

Gators spark early fireworks to burn Mississippi State

By Jesse Richardson | May 26, 2021

The No. 6 Gators secured a win over No. 3 Miss State in the second round of the SEC tournament to advance into the winner’s bracket.

Sterlin Thompson against Jacksonville University on March 14. Thompson helped lead the Gators over Kentucky in the first round of the SEC Tournament Tuesday.

SPORTS | BASEBALL

Florida solid in SEC Tournament opener, advances to play Mississippi State

By Joseph Henry | May 25, 2021

Pitching led the Gators past Kentucky and into a Wednesday morning matchup with Mississippi State.

Hunter Barco against Jacksonville University on March 14. The Gators kick off the SEC Tournament Tuesday against Kentucky.

SPORTS | BASEBALL

Florida takes on Kentucky in first round

By Jesse Richardson | May 24, 2021

First pitch from Hoover, Alabama is set for 10:30 a.m.

Florida first baseman Kendrick Calilao runs off the field against Jacksonville March 14. Calilao hit four home runs and brought home 10 RBIs in his past nine games.

SPORTS | BASEBALL

Eyes forward: Gators shake off sweep before SEC tournament

By Jesse Richardson | May 24, 2021

Following a sweep to end the regular season, the Gators have to turn things around quickly before the SEC tournament.

Florida pitcher Franco Aleman on the mound against Jacksonville March 14. Aleman struck out a career-high eight batters Saturday but Florida was swept by No. 1 Arkansas.

SPORTS | BASEBALL

Florida gets swept by Arkansas days before SEC tournament

By Jesse Richardson | May 22, 2021

The No. 1 Arkansas Razorbacks clean house after a seven-run rally bolsters a 9-3 annihilation of No. 9 Florida.

Florida's Hunter Barco pitches against Jacksonville on March 14. Barco was drafted by the Pittsburgh Pirates Sunday.

SPORTS | BASEBALL

Florida loses series, Razorbacks crowned SEC champs

By Jesse Richardson | May 22, 2021

The No. 9 Florida Gators find themselves on a three-game losing streak after consecutive loss to No. 1 Arkansas.

Florida's Kendrick Calilao runs down to first base against Jacksonville March 14. Calilao continued his hot play with another home run Thursday, but Florida fell 6-1 to the No. 1 Razorbacks.

SPORTS | BASEBALL

Florida Gators drop defensive battle against Arkansas

By Jesse Richardson | May 20, 2021

The No. 1 Arkansas Razorbacks took game one of the final regular-season series after a 6-1 victory over the No. 9 Florida Gators.

Florida's Kendrick Calilao stands in the batter's box against Jacksonville on March 14. The Gators fell to the No. 1 Tennessee Volunteers 6-4 Sunday afternoon

SPORTS | BASEBALL

Gators travel to Arkansas for final series of regular season

By Jesse Richardson | May 19, 2021

The No. 9 Florida Gators face their biggest test of the year in a meeting against the No. 1 Arkansas Razorbacks.