Sports | Baseball - The Independent Florida Alligator

Preston Tucker's solo home run in the third inning was his 215th career RBI, moving him ahead of Brad Wilkerson as UF's all-time leader.

SPORTS | BASEBALL

Tucker breaks RBI record in 5-1 win; Zunino injured late

By TOM GREEN | Feb. 25, 2012

As soon as the ball left his bat, Preston Tucker knew he was alone.

SPORTS | BASEBALL

Randall, Maddox shut down William & Mary in Florida win

Feb. 24, 2012

Daniel Pigott raced toward the left-field wall, jumped and caught a deep Tadd Bower shot that would have otherwise been a game-tying home run in the sixth inning.

Florida senior right fielder Preston Tucker needs just one RBI to pass Brad Wilkerson for the all-time school record in the category.

SPORTS | BASEBALL

Tucker on verge of breaking school RBI record

Feb. 23, 2012

Preston Tucker’s room is littered with souvenirs from games he has played over the years. Some of them are more memorable than others.

In his first start as a Gator, sophomore Jonathon Crawford tossed five scoreless innings while striking out four and allowing just two hits. Florida beat UCF 8-0 on Wednesday.

SPORTS | BASEBALL

Crawford leads Gators to win against UCF

Feb. 22, 2012

Jonathon Crawford made people forget Sunday in a hurry.

Florida catcher Mike Zunino hit two home runs in Tuesday’s 8-6 win.

SPORTS | BASEBALL

Tucker’s game-winner outshines two-homer night from Zunino

By TOM GREEN | Feb. 21, 2012

Preston Tucker’s first four plate appearances Tuesday didn’t go as planned.

Florida senior Preston Tucker said the team realizes it needs to get better at manufacturing runs, a problem that cost the Gators last year.

SPORTS | BASEBALL

UF baseball reminded of run-scoring woes ahead of first midweek game

Feb. 20, 2012

For the Gators, every fall scrimmage began the same way: bases loaded, no outs, a bitter memory for everyone who was wearing orange and blue on June 27, 2011.

Florida manager Kevin O’Sullivan (right) tugs the jersey of pitcher Steven Rodriguez after umpire Rob Healy ejected Rodriguez from the game for throwing behind Cal State Fullerton batter Austin Kingsolver. UF lost 8-5 on Sunday.

SPORTS | BASEBALL

Florida drops chippy series finale to Cal State Fullerton

Feb. 19, 2012

Steven Rodriguez threw five pitches on Sunday.

Freshman Taylor Gushue's two-run triple in the bottom of the
fourth inning helped Florida beat Cal State Fullerton, 5-2, on
Saturday at McKethan Stadium.

SPORTS | BASEBALL

Freshman Gushue again leads No. 1 Florida to victory

By TOM GREEN | Feb. 18, 2012

Taylor Gushue was supposed to suit up for his senior season at Fort Lauderdale Calvary Christian Academy this week.

Karsten Whitson pitches during UF’s 5-0 win against USF on Feb. 20, 2011. Whitson missed the entire 2013 season after undergoing shoulder surgery in February 2013.

SPORTS | BASEBALL

The Price of Admission: Whitson brings major-league talent to top-ranked Gators

Feb. 16, 2012

Chipley is a panhandle town with 3,766 residents and 11 police officers.

Florida right-handed pitcher Hudson Randall, who will start tonight's game against Cal State Fullerton, said he will be taking an aggressive approach against the small-ball prone Titans.

SPORTS | BASEBALL

Florida prepared for Cal State Fullerton's small-ball approach

Feb. 16, 2012

Hudson Randall can't remember what it's like to pitch against hitters other than his teammates.

Florida junior catcher and All-American Mike Zunino said he is working with freshman backstop Taylor Gushue to help his transition.

SPORTS | BASEBALL

Stalwart Florida catcher has promising backup

Feb. 15, 2012

Mike Zunino doesn’t bat left-handed.

Gators sophomore pitcher Jonathan Crawford is in competition for the midweek starter’s role. He threw just 3.2 innings as a freshman last year.

SPORTS | BASEBALL

Florida baseball's Crawford in running for midweek role

By TOM GREEN | Feb. 14, 2012

Jonathon Crawford is ready to be a starting pitcher again.

SPORTS | BASEBALL

Gators baseball relying on senior Pigott

Feb. 9, 2012

Daniel Pigott is looking forward to tracking down line drives to left field this season without the threat of clanking into a chain-link fence.

After hitting .333 and leading the team in home runs as a freshman, Florida first baseman and relief pitcher Austin Maddox slumped to hit .280 as a sophomore.

SPORTS | BASEBALL

Florida baseball's Maddox pushing past disappointing 2011 season

By TOM GREEN | Feb. 8, 2012

Austin Maddox is hoping his sophomore slump doesn’t follow him into his junior year.

Florida junior shortstop Nolan Fontana said he is working to be a mentor for younger players like freshman Casey Turgeon as the Gators search for a new second baseman.

SPORTS | BASEBALL

Fontana adjusting to life without Adams at second base

Feb. 5, 2012

Nolan Fontana remembers being a freshman and searching for advice.

Florida coach Kevin O’Sullivan lost five pitchers this offseason to the MLB and is now looking to sophomores Daniel Gibson, Jonathan Crawford and Keenan Kish to lead the Gators’ middle relief.

SPORTS | BASEBALL

Florida baseball searching for solidity on staff after draft departures

Jan. 31, 2012

With his entire starting rotation returning from a successful season, few college baseball coaches will be as comfortable as Kevin O’Sullivan when settling into the dugout for the start of weekend games.

Junior right fielder Preston Tucker (25) decided to return to the Gators after being selected by the Colorado Rockies in June’s MLB draft. He is seven RBI shy of a UF record.

SPORTS | BASEBALL

Florida baseball gets boost from Tucker’s return

Jan. 29, 2012

Preston Tucker could be leading an entirely different life.

SPORTS | BASEBALL

While You Were Away ...

Aug. 21, 2011

CWS Run Ends On Sour Note: Florida’s baseball team rode Preston Tucker’s bat and a strong pitching staff to its first SEC Tournament Title since 1991. But the season will be remembered by a sweep at the hands of South Carolina in the CWS Finals in Omaha, Neb.

SPORTS | BASEBALL

Gators' season ends with disappointment, hope for next year

By JESSE SIMONTON | June 29, 2011

OMAHA, Neb. — Josh Adams' lips quivered as he spoke. With tears streaming down his face, Florida's second baseman was helpless at the podium, unable to process where it all went wrong.

South Carolina players celebrate after beating Florida 5-2 in
Game 2 of the NCAA baseball College World Series best-of-three
finals.

SPORTS | BASEBALL

South Carolina repeats as Florida's season bitterly ends

By JESSE SIMONTON | June 28, 2011

OMAHA, Neb. — It wasn’t supposed