Sports | Softball - The Independent Florida Alligator

Kelsey Horton connects with a pitch in Florida's 5-2 win against Auburn on April 15, 2012. Horton hit a home run in Florida's 10-4 win against Missouri in the SEC Tournament final on Saturday.

SPORTS | SOFTBALL

Florida sweeps Arkansas with a walk-off home run

By ADAM LICHTENSTEIN< | Mar. 23, 2013

Kelsey Horton kept promising a run for her pitcher.

Sophomore Lauren Haeger (17) swings during an at-bat in Florida’s 6-5 win against Tennessee on March 15 at Katie Seashole Pressly Stadium. Haeger went 2 for 3 with a home run, a double and five walks in Friday's doubleheader against Arkansas.

SPORTS | SOFTBALL

Gators outslug Razorbacks in doubleheader

By ADAM LICHTENSTEIN< | Mar. 22, 2013

The Southeastern Conference named Lauren Haeger as one of the league’s players of the week for her performance against No. 8 Tennessee last weekend, but her hot streak has not ended.

Katie Medina jogs out of the batter’s box during Florida’s 9-1 win over UNC Wilmington on Feb. 17 at Katie Seashole Pressly Stadium. Medina singled with bases loaded to help Florida to a 4-3 walk-off victory against UAB on Saturday in the NCAA Super Regional.

SPORTS | SOFTBALL

Sophomore hoping glove catches up with strong throwing arm

By ADAM LICHTENSTEIN< | Mar. 21, 2013

Katie Medina needed to make a tough play.

Bailey Castro bats during an exhibition against Santa Fe on Nov. 7, 2012, at Katie Seashole Pressly Stadium. Castro struck out in a key spot in Florida's 7-3 win against Florida State on Wednesday.

SPORTS | SOFTBALL

Gators slug their way to win over USC Upstate

By CHUCK KINGSBURY< | Mar. 20, 2013

Lauren Haeger and Bailey Castro did what they do best at Kate Seashole Pressly Stadium on Wednesday evening.

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 proving clutch

By ADAM LICHTENSTEIN< | Mar. 19, 2013

In high-pressure scenarios, coach Tim Walton turns to Lauren Haeger.

SPORTS | SOFTBALL

Sophomore homers twice in Gators’ win against Volunteers

By ADAM LICHTENSTEIN< | Mar. 17, 2013

Lauren Haeger had the luck of the Irish with her on St. Patrick’s Day.

Lauren Haeger stands in the circle between pitches during Florida's 4-1 home loss to USF on March 28, 2012. Haeger struck out five in the Gators 9-1 win against the Bulls on Wednesday.

SPORTS | SOFTBALL

Florida falls to Tennessee in extra-inning duel

By ADAM LICHTENSTEIN< | Mar. 16, 2013

In a game between two top-10 Southeastern Conference softball teams, it was the men in blue who took center stage at Katie Seashole Pressly Stadium on Saturday.

Junior starter Hannah Rogers pitches during Florida’s 9-1 victory against UNC Wilmington on Feb. 17 at Katie Seashole Pressly Stadium. Rogers gave up five runs to Mississippi State in the second inning on Sunday.

SPORTS | SOFTBALL

Game-ending walk gives Florida win over Tennessee

By ADAM LICHTENSTEIN< | Mar. 15, 2013

Lauren Haeger was two strikes away from sealing a 5-3 Gators victory and notching her second save of the season.

Freshman infielder Kelsey Stewart (7) throws a ball to freshman first baseman Taylor Schwarz (49) to end an inning during Florida’s 9-1 win over UNC Wilmington on Feb. 17 at Katie Seashole Pressly Stadium. Stewart is one of Florida's key underclassmen who have fueled the team's success this season.

SPORTS | SOFTBALL

Freshman poses speedy threat on basepaths

By ADAM LICHTENSTEIN< | Mar. 14, 2013

Kelsey Stewart stood on third base, 60 feet from scoring.

Kelsey Stewart gets tagged out at home during Florida’s 9-1 win against UNC Wilmington on Feb. 17 at Katie Seashole Pressly Stadium. Stewart picked up two hits in the Gators' 3-2 loss to Georgia on Friday.

SPORTS | SOFTBALL

Gators slumping in clutch

By ADAM LICHTENSTEIN< | Mar. 13, 2013

Lauren Haeger stepped to the plate with two outs and center fielder Kirsti Merritt on second base on Saturday.

SPORTS | SOFTBALL

Sophomore collects weekly honor

By ADAM LICHTENSTEIN< | Mar. 12, 2013

Briana Little struggled in limited playing time in 2012, hitting just .188 in 35 games. She hit only one home run in 32 at-bats.

SPORTS | SOFTBALL

Freshman’s home run clinches series win against Auburn

By ADAM LICHTENSTEIN< | Mar. 10, 2013

Florida only managed one hit against Auburn on Sunday, but it was a big one.

Coach Tim Walton signals to a base runner during Florida’s 3-1 victory against Auburn on April 14, 2012 at Katie Seashole Pressly Stadium. Walton has started freshman Taylor Schwarz at first base in every Southeastern Conference game.

SPORTS | SOFTBALL

UF drops first SEC game

By CHUCK KINGSBURY< | Mar. 9, 2013

Sophomore Briana Little has been locked in against Auburn.

SPORTS | SOFTBALL

Florida shuts out Auburn in series opener

By ADAM LICHTENSTEIN | Mar. 8, 2013

The No. 4 Gators (24-1) began Southeastern Conference play with a bang on Friday night.

Gators sophomore Lauren Haeger pitches during a game last season. The sophomore helped Florida beat No. 1 Alabama 8-4 on Wednesday.

SPORTS | SOFTBALL

No. 4 Florida upsets No. 1 Alabama

By ADAM LICHTENSTEIN | Mar. 6, 2013

The last time Lauren Haeger pitched against Alabama, she left the circle early and was relieved by Hannah Rogers after surrendering eight runs in the Southeastern Conference Championship game.

SPORTS | SOFTBALL

UF pitchers combine for perfect game

By ADAM LICHTENSTEIN | Mar. 3, 2013

A day after junior pitcher Hannah Rogers had a no-hitter revoked after a victory, the Gators pitching staff combined for a perfect game.

Sophomore Alyssa Bache pitches in the Florida Lipton Invitational. Bache surrendered six runs in four innings of work against Ole Miss on Sunday.

SPORTS | SOFTBALL

Timely hitting spurs Friday sweep for Gators

By ADAM LICHTENSTEIN | Mar. 1, 2013

Most of Mount St. Mary’s pitcher Nicole Pagano’s pitches fooled Florida's batters.

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 hurler pacing Florida’s thriving pitching staff

By ADAM LICHTENSTEIN | Feb. 28, 2013

For the first time in 2013, No. 4 Florida (17-1) has gone a week without run-ruling an opponent.

SPORTS | SOFTBALL

Home run helps Florida top South Florida

By ADAM LICHTENSTEIN | Feb. 27, 2013

The No. 4 Gators (17-1) faced a familiar foe in South Florida left-handed pitcher Sara Nevins Wednesday night, but Florida saw its fortunes change against the southpaw at the USF Softball Field in Tampa.

SPORTS | SOFTBALL

Junior pitcher taking on more responsibility for Florida

By ADAM LICHTENSTEIN | Feb. 26, 2013

Hannah Rogers had a busy weekend.