Sports - The Independent Florida Alligator

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 fall to Blue Devils in season opener

By JOSH JURNOVOY | Feb. 15, 2013

The Gators weren’t supposed to have to worry about Friday.

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

NEWS | CAMPUS

Haeger powers UF to pair of wins

By ADAM LICHTENSTEIN | Feb. 15, 2013

On a day where it looked like the Gators’ offense would steal the show, a pitcher nearly took center stage.

After giving up two easy goals at UNC, junior defender Sam Farrell said the Gators have made defensive adjustments in an effort to improve transition play.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS LACROSSE

Tampa 2 defense paying off for UF

Feb. 14, 2013

Tampa 2 is a defensive football strategy created by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the 1990s. Mixing his lacrosse and football background, Nick Williams formed a deviation of the Tampa 2 to incorporate in lacrosse.

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

NEWS | CAMPUS

Alford, Florida set to face Pepperdine

By CHRIS KIRSCHNER< | Feb. 14, 2013

Tied 3-3 in the first round of the 2012 ITA Indoor Championships, Florida relied on Mike Alford to finish off Pepperdine.

Sophomore Hannah Rogers throws during a 4-1 victory against Auburn last season. Rogers is working on lowering her ERA early in 2013.

NEWS | CAMPUS

UF pitching staff looking to improve

By ADAM LICHTENSTEIN | Feb. 14, 2013

In 2012, then-sophomore pitcher Hannah Rogers led the Gators’ pitching staff with an ERA of 1.23, but a week into the 2013 season, the junior’s ERA is nearly a run higher at 2.13.

Senior forward Erik Murphy (33) attempts a pass during Florida’s 69-52 win against Kentucky on Feb. 12 in the O’Connell Center. The Chicago Bulls selected Murphy 49th overall on Thursday night in the 2013 NBA Draft.

NEWS | CAMPUS

Gators aiming to maintain quality with shot selection

By KATIE AGOSTIN | Feb. 14, 2013

With a little more than a minute left in the first half of Florida’s 69-52 win against Kentucky, junior Scottie Wilbekin passed the ball to redshirt senior Mike Rosario after struggling to get open. Seconds after getting the ball, Rosario had Kentucky’s Jon Hood guarding him at the arc.

Lacrosse coach Amanda O’Leary walks off the field with junior Haydon Judge during halftime of a game against Dartmouth on March 20. O’Leary and the Gators beat Stony Brook 16-9 on Wednesday afternoon.

NEWS | CAMPUS

Gators rout Dolphins on road

Feb. 13, 2013

Jacksonville took control against No. 3 Florida at the opening draw. The Dolphins stayed patient, holding the ball for the first 3 minutes of the game without attempting a shot on goal.

Senior Ensley Gammel (11)  watches a fly ball off her bat during Florida’s 3-2 win against Auburn on April 13, 2012 at Katie Seashole Pressly Stadium. Gammel homered in a 14-3 win against Arizona on Sunday at the Kajikawa Classic.

NEWS | CAMPUS

UF hopes to build on early power hitting

By ADAM LICHTENSTEIN | Feb. 12, 2013

Kirsti Merritt stepped to the plate against Creighton’s Brittany Telecky with the Gators on the verge of run-ruling the Bluejays in Friday’s season opener.

Freshman Bridget Sloan performs her beam routine in Florida’s 197.65-196.025 win against Auburn on Jan. 25 at home.

NEWS | CAMPUS

UF scores nation's top total, beats Alabama

By CHUCK KINGSBURY< | Feb. 8, 2013

A unique setting unfolded in front of a crowd of 8,074 at the O’Connell Center on Friday night.

Junior Hannah Rogers pitches during Florida’s 3-2 victory against Auburn on April 13 at Pressly Stadium. Rogers had her no-hitter reversed in a 4-1 win against Drake on Saturday. The right-hander finished the game with a one-hitter.

NEWS | CAMPUS

Gators cruise past Creighton, shut out Oregon

By ADAM LICHTENSTEIN | Feb. 8, 2013

The Gators opened their season in Tempe, Ariz., at the Kajikawa Classic on Friday, but Florida’s offense was in midseason form.

Gordon Watson hits a ball during Florida’s 7-0 win against St. John’s on Jan. 6, 2013. The junior won the singles event of the Gainesville ITA Circuits Draw on Monday.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS TENNIS

Similar circumstances await UF vs. FSU

By CHRIS KIRSCHNER< | Feb. 7, 2013

In the 2011 dual-match season, Florida started off 5-0, including three sweeps of its opponents.

Alexandra Cercone returns a volley. Cercone propelled Florida to a 7-0 victory against South Carolina on Saturday.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS TENNIS

Challenging test awaits Gators

By MICHELLE PROVENZANO< | Feb. 7, 2013

The top-ranked Florida Women’s Tennis team is using the next two weeks to prepare for their most challenging opponent yet, and this time it won’t be on their court.

NEWS | CAMPUS

UF looks to avenge past losses against UNC

Feb. 7, 2013

Three years, three flights and three losses.

Gymnast Marissa King does a Gator Chomp during Florida’s 197.65-196.025 win against Auburn on Jan. 25 in the O’Connell Center.

SPORTS | GYMNASTICS

Gators prepare for rematch with SEC foe Alabama

By CHUCK KINGSBURY< | Feb. 7, 2013

Florida was crushed after losing by 0.075 to Alabama in the NCAA Super Six.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS GOLF

Florida set to host SunTrust Gator Invitational

By RJ Schaffer | Feb. 7, 2013

Florida's men’s golf team returns for its first action of 2013 with hopes of continuing the strong start that it experienced in the fall.

Freshman Bridget Sloan sticks a landing during Florida’s 196.575-190.55 win against Ball State on Jan. 4 in the O’Connell Center.

NEWS | CAMPUS

Florida collects first road win of season

By CHUCK KINGSBURY< | Feb. 1, 2013

The No. 1 Florida gymnastics team overcame its road struggles in its second Southeastern Conference road meet Friday at No. 22 Arkansas in front of a Barnhill Arena crowd of 5,278.