Sports - The Independent Florida Alligator

Catcher Taylor Gushue throws the ball back to the mound during warmups between innings in Florida’s 4-0 victory against Ole Miss on March 31 at McKethan Stadium.

SPORTS | BASEBALL

Defense helps shore up victory

By ADAM PINCUS< | Mar. 14, 2014

With the bases loaded and his start hanging in the balance, freshman Logan Shore put his fielding drills to use. Cleanup batter Krisjon Wilkerson hit a chopper down the third base line. The right-hander quickly got off the mound, gloved the bouncing baseball, planted and fired a throw to first baseman Peter Alonso whose stretch preserved a 1-1 game in the top half of the third inning.

Taylore Fuller bats against Jacksonville during Florida’s 6-0 win on Feb. 19, 2014, at Katie Seashole Pressly Stadium. Fuller helped lead the Gators to a 7-0 victory over Hofstra on Saturday.

NEWS | CAMPUS

Grand slam lifts Gators late

By JORDAN MCPHERSON | Mar. 14, 2014

For the second straight Southeastern Conference series, the Gators were behind.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS

Florida remains perfect in conference play

By IAN COHEN | Mar. 14, 2014

The Gators have been dominant when playing Southeastern Conference opponents this season, and Friday was no exception.

Scottie Wilbekin drives down the court during Florida’s 84-65 win against Kentucky on Saturday in the O’Connell Center.

SPORTS | MEN'S BASKETBALL

Gators rack up SEC awards after perfect league slate

By JONATHAN CZUPRYN< | Mar. 11, 2014

The Gators finished their best regular season in school history on Saturday, and on Tuesday, they received the hardware to prove it.

Kelsey Stewart attempts a bunt during Florida’s win against Jacksonville on Feb. 19 at Katie Seashole Pressly Stadium. Stewart leads UF with a .432 batting average.

NEWS | CAMPUS

No. 1 Florida softball preparing for power-hitting Mercer squad

By JORDAN MCPHERSON | Mar. 11, 2014

After winning its first Southeastern Conference series against Ole Miss, No. 1 Florida (24-1, 2-1 SEC) will take a break from league play with a home doubleheader against Mercer (17-7, 2-1 Atlantic Sun) starting today at 4 p.m.

Shannon Gilroy fights for the ball during Florida’s 21-5 win against Jacksonville on Feb. 12 at Donald R. Dizney Stadium. Gilroy leads the Gators with 35 goals this season.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS LACROSSE

No. 4 Florida gearing for matchup against No. 3 Syracuse

By EDEN OTERO | Mar. 11, 2014

No. 4 Florida is moving on up.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS GOLF

Florida to host 13 teams at only home event of season

By EMILY COCHRANE< | Mar. 11, 2014

Following its best performance of the season two weeks ago at the 2014 Allstate Sugar Bowl Intercollegiate Championship, No. 17 Florida looks to continue its success at its only home tournament of the season.

Justin Shafer bats during Florida’s 4-0 win against Maryland on Feb. 14 at McKethan Stadium.

SPORTS | BASEBALL

Slumping Gators unlucky during non-conference schedule

By ADAM LICHTENSTEIN< | Mar. 10, 2014

Several of the Gators’ key offensive veterans have gotten off to slow starts in the 2014 campaign.

Billy Donovan looks down the court during Florida’s 67-61 win against Kansas on Dec. 10, 2013 in the O’Connell Center. On Monday, Donovan said this year’s Gators are different compared to his back-to-back title-winning teams.

NEWS | CAMPUS

Donovan dismisses comparisons

By LANDON WATNICK< | Mar. 10, 2014

As long as No. 1 Florida continues its winning ways, Billy Donovan is going to keep hearing comparisons to his past championship squads.

Kytra Hunter performs a vault routine during Florida’s 197.525-196.025 win against Arkansas on Feb. 14 in the O’Connell Center.

NEWS | CAMPUS

No. 3 ranking does not bother talented UF squad

By ERICA A. HERNANDEZ | Mar. 10, 2014

Although Florida (8-1, 5-1 Southeastern Conference) has achieved the highest score in the nation this year, the Gators fell from No. 2 to No. 3 in the national rankings Monday.

Lauren Haeger swings during Florida’s 2-0 win against Ole Miss on March 9 at Katie Seashole Pressly Stadium.

SPORTS | SOFTBALL

Florida offense responds to first loss with hitting bonanza

By JORDAN MCPHERSON | Mar. 10, 2014

After No. 1 Florida lost its Southeastern Conference opener on Friday against Ole Miss and had its 22-game winning streak snapped, coach Tim Walton wasn’t sure how the team was going to respond.

Kourtney Keegan returns a ball during Florida’s 4-0 win against Harvard on Jan. 26 at the Ring Tennis Complex.

NEWS | CAMPUS

Gators get respite after difficult month

By IAN COHEN | Mar. 10, 2014

The most difficult stretch of the spring may be behind them, but the Gators still have their work cut out for them as they prepare for a plethora of Southeastern Conference matchups.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS

Holloway, runners honored following SEC Indoor Championships

By LAWRENCE LAGUNA< | Mar. 10, 2014

After his women’s squad captured a Southeastern Conference Indoor title and the men’s team finished second, coach Mike Holloway’s track teams will head to the NCAA Indoor Championships on a high note.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS

UF struggles at diving meet

By Logan McGuire | Mar. 10, 2014

The Gators had mixed results on Day 1 of the NCAA Zone Diving Regional Championships on Monday.

Taylor Gushue runs toward first base during Florida’s 4-0 win against Maryland on Feb. 14 at McKethan Stadium.

NEWS | CAMPUS

UF sweeps UConn in extras

By ADAM LICHTENSTEIN< | Mar. 9, 2014

The Gators have struggled to hit for power throughout non-conference play this season, but they needed a couple big hits to secure their first series sweep of 2014.

Scottie Wilbekin cuts down the net after Florida’s 84-65 win against Kentucky on Saturday in the O’Connell Center.

SPORTS | MEN'S BASKETBALL

Gators tear down nets after perfect conference season

By JONATHAN CZUPRYN< | Mar. 9, 2014

On Feb. 21, 2007, the Gators cut down the nets in the O’Connell Center to celebrate their Southeastern Conference title despite having three more regular season games on the schedule.

Cassie Peoples drives to the net during Florida’s loss to Missouri on Feb. 20 in the O’Connell Center. Peoples averaged 8.9 points per game at the SEC Tournament.

SPORTS | WOMEN'S BASKETBALL

Florida falls to Kentucky in conference tournament

By GORDON STREISAND< | Mar. 9, 2014

After two games in as many days, fifth-seeded Florida was bounced from the Southeastern Conference Tournament by No. 12 Kentucky on Friday following a strong showing against Mississippi State on Thursday.

Gordon Watson returns a ball during Florida’s 5-2 win against North Florida on Jan. 22 at the Ring Tennis Complex.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS

Sophomore clinches comeback win against Gamecocks

By BRITNEE MCCOY< | Mar. 9, 2014

Sophomore Gordon Watson showcased his skills Sunday when he defeated No. 55 ranked Tsvetan Mihov in three sets to clinch Florida’s 4-2 win against South Carolina at the Ring Tennis Complex on Sunday.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS

Florida looks to qualify divers for NCAA Championships

By Logan McGuire | Mar. 9, 2014

Diving hasn’t been one of the strengths for Florida’s No.1 men’s (8-0, 5-0 Southeastern Conference) or No. 8 women’s (5-3, 3-2 SEC) swimming and diving teams in recent years.

SPORTS | SOFTBALL

Florida exacts revenge for first loss of season

By JORDAN MCPHERSON | Mar. 8, 2014

After being shutout by Ole Miss to open up Southeastern Conference play on Friday, Florida evened the series Saturday.