Sports - The Independent Florida Alligator

Buddy Reed looks to bunt during Florida's 4-0 win over Maryland.

METRO | CRIMINAL JUSTICE

Freshman Reed flashes speed in season debut

By ADAM LICHTENSTEIN< | Feb. 14, 2014

Freshman Buddy Reed has a motto: Never stop running.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS

Florida falls in top-15 matchup

By BRITNEE MCCOY< | Feb. 14, 2014

Florida had a rough start to the ITA Men’s Team Indoor Championships.

Karsten Whitson pitches during UF’s 5-0 win against USF on Feb. 20, 2011.

SPORTS | BASEBALL

Chip On His Shoulder: Whitson looks to return to past performance in ‘14

By ADAM LICHTENSTEIN< | Feb. 13, 2014

You don’t know what you have till it’s gone.

Scottie Wilbekin (right) drives against Tennessee guard Josh Richardson during No. 3 Florida’s 67-58 win against Tennessee on Tuesday night in Knoxville, Tenn. Wilbekin led the Gators with a career-high 21 points.

SPORTS | MEN'S BASKETBALL

Wilbekin’s offense keeping pace with strong defense

By JONATHAN CZUPRYN< | Feb. 13, 2014

Billy Donovan knows Scottie Wilbekin had a great game Tuesday against Tennessee.

Taylor Gushue swings during Florida’s 4-1 loss against Florida State on Mar. 12, 2013, at McKethan Stadium. Gushue tied for the team lead with five home runs last year. Florida opens its season at home against Maryland tonight at 7.

SPORTS | BASEBALL

Florida searching for power after small-ball season

By ADAM LICHTENSTEIN< | Feb. 13, 2014

Someone call Gainesville Regional Utilities. McKethan Stadium has been suffering a power outage since June 2012.

Taylor Schwarz swings during Florida’s 4-2 win against Mississippi State on Apr. 6, 2013, at Katie Seashole Pressly Stadium.

NEWS | CAMPUS

First baseman slugging early

By JORDAN MCPHERSON | Feb. 13, 2014

After starting 57 games in 2013, Taylor Schwarz felt confident going into the start of the season.

Pamela Begic looks on from the bench during Florida’s 75-67 win against Alabama on Jan. 30 in the O’Connell Center.

SPORTS | WOMEN'S BASKETBALL

Tall soccer player stepping in for short basketball team

By GORDON STREISAND< | Feb. 13, 2014

In October, she played midfield for the soccer team. In January, she started practicing with the basketball scout team.

Devon Schneider drives toward the net during Florida’s 21-5 win against Jacksonville on Wednesday at Donald R. Dizney Stadium. Schneider scored four points against the Dolphins after she was held scoreless against the Tar Heels in the Gators’ 20-8 season-opening loss on Feb. 8.

NEWS | CAMPUS

Sophomore plays key role in blowout victory against Jacksonville

By EDEN OTERO | Feb. 13, 2014

A loss at home on your birthday would be one you would never forget.

Olivia Janowicz swings at the ball during Florida’s 4-0 win against Harvard on Jan. 26 at the Ring Tennis Complex.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS

Janowicz leading the way for UF

By IAN COHEN | Feb. 13, 2014

After a weekend of highs and lows at the National Team Indoor Championships, the Gators did not come away with an award.

Cory McGee runs in the SEC Cross Country Championships on Nov. 1, 2013, at the Mark Bostick Golf Course.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS

Florida racing to four meets despite fatigue

By LAWRENCE LAGUNA< | Feb. 13, 2014

Although the UF track and field program has compiled 35 event victories in four meets this indoor season, fatigue has had a negative effect on athletes.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS GOLF

Gators look to continue success at home tourney

By LAYNE WEITZEL< | Feb. 13, 2014

Junior J.D. Tomlinson has garnered a number of accomplishments in his golf career, but a SunTrust Gator Invitational title is not among them.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS

UF going to Houston for ITA Indoor Nationals

By BRITNEE MCCOY< | Feb. 13, 2014

Coach Bryan Shelton and the No. 12 Florida men’s tennis team are more than ready to begin play at the ITA National Indoors Championships this weekend in Houston.

Casey Turgeon bats against Florida State during Florida’s 4-1 loss on Mar. 12, 2013, at McKethan Stadium. Turgeon and the Gators open their season at home on Friday against Maryland at 7 p.m.

SPORTS | BASEBALL

Gators look for small ball to carry them

By ADAM PINCUS< | Feb. 12, 2014

Time heals all wounds, and the Gators are hoping several have been patched up since last season.

Alaina Johnson performs a beam routine during Florida’s win against Oklahoma on Jan. 31 in the O’Connell Center.

SPORTS | GYMNASTICS

Senior seeking impact on floor despite nagging injuries

By ERICA A. HERNANDEZ | Feb. 12, 2014

Senior all-arounder Alaina Johnson took to the floor for the first time in more than a year on Feb. 7 in Florida’s (5-0, 3-0 Southeastern Conference) win against Kentucky. Johnson’s 2014 debut floor score (9.825) tied with two others for fourth overall in the meet.

Shannon Gilroy drives toward the net during Florida’s 21-5 win against Jacksonville on Wednesday at the Donald R. Dizney Stadium. Gilroy scored seven points against the Dolphins.

NEWS | CAMPUS

UF dominates JU in first home game of season

By EDEN OTERO | Feb. 12, 2014

If Florida was looking for redemption after its 20-8 loss at No. 1 North Carolina on Saturday, the team’s 21-5 win over Jacksonville was just that.

Patric Young attempts a layup during Florida’s 78-69 win against Alabama on Feb. 8 in the O’Connell Center.

SPORTS | MEN'S BASKETBALL

Young’s rebound ensures UF victory

By LANDON WATNICK< | Feb. 12, 2014

As teammate Dorian Finney-Smith and Tennessee forward Jarnell Stokes battled for a rebound off a missed jumper, Patric Young put his body on the line late in Tuesday night’s game.

Scottie Wilbekin drives the ball down the court in Florida’s 78-69 win against Alabama on Saturday in the O’Connell Center. On Tuesday, Wilbekin scored a team-high 21 points on 5-of-17 shooting against Tennessee, leading his team to only its second win in its last nine meetings in the Thompson-Boling Arena.

SPORTS | MEN'S BASKETBALL

Gators escape Knoxville with nine-point win against Vols

By JONATHAN CZUPRYN< | Feb. 11, 2014

Before tipoff on Tuesday night, coach Billy Donovan said he knew Tennessee would not shoot 26.8 percent like it did last time it faced No. 3 Florida. Seniors Scottie Wilbekin and Will Yeguete joined in to say there was no way Jordan McRae would have another 1-of-15 shooting night.

Coach Tim Walton studies the field during Florida’s 11-1 win against USF on May 18 at Katie Seashole Pressly Stadium.

SPORTS | SOFTBALL

Catcher getting better at plate after poor first season

By JORDAN MCPHERSON | Feb. 11, 2014

Aubree Munro did not like to hit last season, and her stats showed it.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS GOLF

UF ends tourney in 14th place

By EMILY COCHRANE< | Feb. 11, 2014

The Gators failed to rally in the third round of the 2014 Northrop Grumman Regional Tournament on Tuesday and finished in a frustrating 14th place.

Shannon Gilroy fights for possession against Penn State on May 19, 2012. Gilroy scored one goal in UF’s season-opening loss to UNC.

NEWS | CAMPUS

Florida preparing for second game

By EDEN OTERO | Feb. 11, 2014

Three days between games is not a lot of time.