Sports - The Independent Florida Alligator

Infielder Zack Powers (5) speaks to assistant coach Craig Bell on third base during Florida’s 7-4 loss to Florida Gulf Coast on Feb. 24 at McKethan Stadium. Powers is 1 for 8 in the series against No. 10 Kentucky.

NEWS | CAMPUS

Gators aim to halt losing skid

By JOSH JURNOVOY | Feb. 28, 2013

Gators coach Kevin O’Sullivan isn’t hitting the panic button yet.

Junior ace Hannah Rogers winds up to pitch during Florida’s 9-1 victory against UNC Wilmington on Feb. 17 at Katie Seashole Pressly Stadium. Rogers tossed 18.2 frames for the Gators at the Mary Nutter Collegiate Classic in Palm Springs, Calif.

SPORTS | SOFTBALL

Junior pitcher taking on more responsibility for Florida

By ADAM LICHTENSTEIN | Feb. 26, 2013

Hannah Rogers had a busy weekend.

Coach Rhonda Faehn talks to freshman Bridget Sloan before her performance on beam during Florida’s 197.3-194.625 victory against Missouri on Jan. 18 in the O’Connell Center.

SPORTS | GYMNASTICS

Gators preparing for postseason as regular season nears end

By CHUCK KINGSBURY< | Feb. 25, 2013

The Gators’ quest for their first national championship is nearing the postseason.

Junior Florent Diep strikes the ball during Florida’s 5-2 victory against Miami on Jan. 19 at Linder Stadium.

NEWS | CAMPUS

Diep, Gators fall to No. 20 Baylor

By CHRIS KIRSCHNER< | Feb. 23, 2013

Florent Diep’s blue Gators polo was drenched with sweat when the match finally ended.

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.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS LACROSSE

Florida thrashes UC Davis in early blowout

Feb. 22, 2013

Florida had Friday night’s game all but clinched prior to halftime.

UF senior Bob van Overbeek returns a volley. Van Overbeek won only his second match since Feb. 3 against Ole Miss on Friday.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS TENNIS

Senior struggling in recent skid

By CHRIS KIRSCHNER< | Feb. 21, 2013

Bob van Overbeek’s serve is so powerful that he snapped a net strap this past weekend in the ITA Indoor Championships.

Junior guard Scottie Wilbekin attempts a layup during Florida’s 69-52 win against Kentucky on Feb. 12 in the O’Connell Center. Wilbekin said the Gators need to increase their offensive presence in the paint.

SPORTS | MEN'S BASKETBALL

Florida aiming to achieve offensive balance down stretch

By LANDON WATNICK | Feb. 21, 2013

Coach Billy Donovan wants his players to take open shots, regardless of whether their attempts are inside or beyond the arc.

NEWS | CAMPUS

UF in striking distance heading into third day of SEC Championships

By ROBERT JUDIN< | Feb. 20, 2013

After the second day of the Southeastern Conference Championships, Florida’s men's swimming and diving team finds itself trailing Auburn for first place 417-412.5.

Carlie Needles calls out to her teammates during Florida’s 87-54 victory against Alabama on Feb. 3 in the O’Connell Center.

NEWS | CAMPUS

Florida struggling down stretch in close contests

Feb. 20, 2013

Three days after losing to No. 13 Georgia on Sunday, coach Amanda Butler silently reminded her squad of its inability to finish games inside the O’Connell Center.

Patric Young attempts a shot during Florida’s 69-52 win against Kentucky on Feb. 12 in the O’Connell Center.

SPORTS | MEN'S BASKETBALL

Frontcourt struggles in defeat

By KATIE AGOSTIN | Feb. 20, 2013

Midway through the first half, center Patric Young set a screen on Missouri’s Earnest Ross for freshman Michael Frazier II.

Lauren Haeger (17) runs home after hitting a game-tying homer during Florida’s 4-3 victory against Charleston Southern on Feb. 17 at Katie Seashole Pressly Stadium.

SPORTS | SOFTBALL

Sophomore excelling early

By ADAM LICHTENSTEIN | Feb. 20, 2013

Lauren Haeger has first base covered.

Senior Brittany Dashiell (left) attempts a shot during Florida’s 18-13 exhibition win against England on Jan. 24 at Dizney Stadium. Dashiell and the Gators defeated Stony Brook 16-9 on Wednesday.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS LACROSSE

Freshman goalie key in win

Feb. 20, 2013

After a Stony Brook narrowed Florida’s lead to 12-8, coach Amanda O’Leary took a timeout with 19:37 left in the second half.

Coach Billy Donovan instructs his players during Florida’s 69-52 win against Kentucky on Feb. 12 in the O’Connell Center.

SPORTS | MEN'S BASKETBALL

Florida surrenders double-digit lead in road loss to Missouri

By LANDON WATNICK | Feb. 19, 2013

Down by three with 3.1 seconds left, Florida had an opportunity to tie Missouri and send the game into overtime. But guard Mike Rosario’s desperation heave from the left corner couldn’t find the net.

Sophomore Zack Powers is congratulated by teammates at home plate after hitting his second grand slam during Florida’s 16-5 win against Duke on Feb. 17 at McKethan Stadium.

NEWS | CAMPUS

Florida holds off UCF rally in road win

By JOSH JURNOVOY | Feb. 19, 2013

ORLANDO — Florida’s lineup was supposed to experience a power outage this season. Home runs would be at a premium, and UF was going to rely heavily on manufacturing runs.

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.