Sports | Baseball - The Independent Florida Alligator

Mets first baseman Pete Alonso hit his 53rd home run of the season, breaking the rookie record Yankees star Aaron Judge set in 2017.

SPORTS | BASEBALL

Pete Alonso is (already) UF’s best MLB star

By Sam Campisano | Sep. 29, 2019

Florida has one of the most decorated baseball programs in the nation.

The Houston Astros added All-Star pitchers Zack Greinke and Aaron Sanchez at the trade deadline, adding to an already impressive third-best team ERA in MLB.

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The Houston Astros won the World Series in July

By Sam Campisano | Aug. 5, 2019

While the rest of baseball slept through Wednesday’s trade deadline, Astros GM Jeff Luhnow was busy locking up his team’s second championship in three years.

Pete Alonso, one of the few bright spots of this Mets season, looks down in frustration after striking out earlier this month.

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The agony of being a Mets fan (and why I am one)

By Sam Campisano | July 24, 2019

The cruelest thing my parents ever did was take me to Shea Stadium. Child services should’ve taken me away right there.

Former UF first baseman Pete Alonso was the only Gator to make it to the MLB All-Star Game this year, where he went 1-2 with 2 RBIs in the National League’s 4-3 defeat.

SPORTS | BASEBALL

Gators in MLB: June and July

By Dylan O'Shea | July 10, 2019

A month has passed since the last review of Gators around the majors, but there is still a strong UF presence in Major League Baseball. Now that the league has reached the All-Star break, let’s look at how some former Gators are doing at the halfway point.

Tampa Bay Rays Principal Owner Stuart Sternberg greets people before a press conference at the Dali Museum in St. Petersburg, Fla., Tuesday, June 25, 2019. Sternberg spoke about exploring the prospect of playing some future home games in Montreal.

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Stuart Sternberg is a disgrace

By Sam Campisano | July 1, 2019

I’m going to try my best not to contradict myself.

MLB commissioner Rob Manfred has denied altering the league’s baseballs on purpose, but admitted at the Associated Press Sports Editors commissioners meeting last month that the ball does have less drag.

SPORTS | BASEBALL

MLB: Stop juicing the baseballs

By Sam Campisano | June 17, 2019

If you’ve paid any attention to Major League Baseball this season, you probably know what I’m talking about.

Justin Alintoff is perhaps the most notable player transferring from Florida. The sophomore had a 4.30 ERA and 24 strikeouts in 29.1 innings this year.

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Florida baseball loses three to NCAA transfer portal

By Evan Lepak | June 10, 2019

Florida’s baseball roster has lost three players to the NCAA transfer portal over the past few weeks.

Empty seats have been a common sight at Tropicana Field and Marlins Park (pictured). The Rays and Marlins combined to draw just 22,676 fans last night.

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Is there a future for Major League Baseball in Florida?

By Sam Campisano | June 10, 2019

On May 28, the Tampa Bay Rays hosted the division-rival Toronto Blue Jays at Tropicana Field.

Brady McConnell was the first Florida player selected in the 2019 MLB Draft. The shortstop hit .332 this year with 15 home runs and 48 RBIs.

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Multiple Florida athletes picked in 2019 MLB Draft

By Evan Lepak | June 5, 2019

The 2019 MLB Draft concluded on Wednesday after 40 rounds passed and over 1,200 prospects were selected.

Former Florida and current New York Mets first baseman Pete Alonso leads all rookies with 19 home runs, 44 RBIs and 56 hits.

SPORTS | BASEBALL

Gators in MLB: June update

By Dylan O'Shea | June 3, 2019

The odds of making a Major League Baseball roster coming out of college are miniscule.

The Gators' streak of four-straight trips to the College World Series ended with Sunday's defeat to DBU.

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Youth and the loss of key pieces caused Florida to fall short of Omaha

By Evan Lepak | June 3, 2019

Florida’s season didn’t end at the College World Series.

Wil Dalton's two-run home run wasn't enough to keep UF's season alive.

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Florida’s season comes to an end with heartbreaking loss to DBU

By Evan Lepak | June 2, 2019

In a one-run game with two outs in the bottom of the ninth inning, right fielder Kendrick Calilao stood just 90 feet away from home plate.

UF starter Tommy Mace struggled on Friday as Florida fell to Army.

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UF falls into losers’ bracket after regional loss

By Evan Lepak | June 1, 2019

Florida was down 7-2 in the top of the seventh when left fielder Austin Langworthy stepped into the batter’s box.

Tommy Mace is expected to toe the rubber when UF opens regional play against Dallas Baptist University on Friday.

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Florida begins NCAA Tournament Friday

By Evan Lepak | May 29, 2019

The Florida baseball team had little time to celebrate after the NCAA field was announced on Monday.

Coach Kevin O'Sullivan and the Florida baseball team were eliminated in the first round of the SEC Tournament on Tuesday.

SPORTS | BASEBALL

UF awaits fate after early exit from SEC Tourney

By Evan Lepak | May 22, 2019

The Florida baseball team dropped a heartbreaker on Tuesday morning in Game 1 of the SEC Tournament against Texas A&M.

Shortstop Brady McConnell hit a two-out RBI single that brought in two runs in Game 1 of the SEC Tournament

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Gators eliminated from SEC Tourney after loss in extras

By Evan Lepak | May 21, 2019

The Gators were two innings away from advancing past Texas A&M in Game 1 of the SEC Tournament and all but assuring themselves of a spot in next week's NCAA Tournament.

Junior Tommy Mace allowed just one run and three hits through five innings of work, striking out eight.

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Florida chasing NCAA berth as SEC Tournament begins

By Evan Lepak | May 20, 2019

The Florida baseball team has made an appearance in the NCAA Tournament every year since coach Kevin O’Sullivan took over in 2008.

Florida coach Kevin O'Sullivan said his team is "trending upward" after sweeping Missouri.

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Gators complete regular season with sweep, keep NCAA hopes alive

By Evan Lepak | May 18, 2019

Florida's NCAA at-large hopes were on life support prior to Thursday night's game against Missouri.

UF starter Jack Leftwich bounced back in a big way on Friday night, pitching a complete-game shutout.

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Leftwich shines as Florida downs Missouri

By Evan Lepak | May 17, 2019

Florida right-hander Jack Leftwich's 2019 season has been a bit of a rollercoaster ride.

Jordan Butler got Florida out of a jam in the seventh and preserved the lead the rest of the way for the save.

SPORTS | BASEBALL

Florida picks up pivotal win over Missouri

By Evan Lepak | May 15, 2019

The Gators entered Thursday night's game against Missouri in a must-win situation as the regular season winds down and the team's 11-year streak of NCAA Tournament appearances stands in jeopardy.