Sports | Baseball - The Independent Florida Alligator

Coach Kevin O’Sullivan talks to his team following a loss to LSU in 2012. Texas A&M knocked off O'Sullivan's Gators 6-3 in the first round of the SEC Tournament on Tuesday in Hoover, Ala.

SPORTS | BASEBALL

Gators drop second straight to FGCU

By ADAM PINCUS | Feb. 23, 2013

Another game means another problem for the young Gators.

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 drop second straight behind faltering bullpen

By ADAM PINCUS | Feb. 22, 2013

Ricky Knapp has Florida’s number. The Atlantic Sun Pitcher of the Year dominated the Gators yet again with a complete game six-hitter.

Freshman shortstop Richie Martin attempts to steal third base during Florida’s 16-5 win against Duke on Sunday at McKethan Stadium. Martin left Florida's 6-3 series-clinching win against Miami on Sunday after beating hit by a pitch in the hand.

SPORTS | BASEBALL

Freshman active on base paths in victory

By ADAM PINCUS | Feb. 19, 2013

ORLANDO — Richie Martin doesn’t hit the home runs like his teammates. He doesn’t get sacrifice flies. He didn’t even reach the outfield in half of his at-bats on Tuesday.

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.

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.

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Turgeon, Gators even series against Blue Devils

By ADAM PINCUS | Feb. 16, 2013

Squirrel struck again for Florida.

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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.

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.

Junior Karsten Whitson reacts after recording a strikeout during Florida’s 9-8 win against NC State on June 10, 2012, at McKethan Stadium. Whitson was drafted in the 37th round of the 2013 MLB Draft.

SPORTS | BASEBALL

Junior sidelined with ‘shoulder fatigue’

By JOSH JURNOVOY | Feb. 13, 2013

Junior pitcher Karsten Whitson is out indefinitely due to shoulder fatigue, Florida announced on Wednesday.

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Gators name No. 1 starter

By JOSH JURNOVOY | Feb. 5, 2013

One year ago, Jonathon Crawford didn’t know where he stood.

Jonathon Crawford celebrates after pitching a no-hitter against Bethune-Cookman on June 1 at McKethan Stadium.

SPORTS | BASEBALL

Florida weighing options at closer

By ADAM PINCUS | Jan. 31, 2013

Florida baseball was a sure thing last season.

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

Outfield spots currently unsettled for Gators

By JOSH JURNOVOY | Jan. 29, 2013

Josh Tobias and Vickash Ramjit know they’ll see the field for Florida this season. They know they’ll be starting, too.

UF coach Kevin O'Sullivan watches from outside the dugout during the Gators' 9-7 loss to Southern Miss. in game one of NCAA Super Regional play in McKethan stadium Saturday, June 6, 2009. O'Sullivan and the Gators were eliminated from the 2014 NCAA Tournament in the regional round on Saturday.

SPORTS | BASEBALL

Youthful Gators playing ‘small ball’ in 2013

By ADAM PINCUS | Jan. 27, 2013

This isn’t your typical Florida baseball team.

UF outfielder Tyler Thompson rounds the bases after his homerun during the Gators' 13-9 win against Kentucky in McKethan Stadium on Saturday, May 17, 2009. (Andrew Stanfill / Alligator Staff)

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Senior Thompson leaves Florida baseball team

By ADAM PINCUS | Jan. 9, 2013

After losing nine players to the MLB draft, UF coach Kevin O’Sullivan can add Tyler Thompson to the list of players the Gators must replace this season.

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.

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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.

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.

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.

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.