Sports - The Independent Florida Alligator

Sophomore Sarah Longley prepares her swing March 3 against Florida State.

SPORTS | SOFTBALL

Florida hopes to come back against UCF

By Faith Buckley | Apr. 14, 2021

The Gators come back for round two after facing a 6-8 loss against the Knights.

Calilao’s heroics ended a 3-2 pitching battle and lifted Florida over their in-state rival to move to 22-11 on the year. Photo from UF-Jacksonville March 14, 2021.

SPORTS | BASEBALL

Calilao breaks Florida State’s heart in the 10th

By Ryan Haley | Apr. 13, 2021

With two outs in the bottom of the 10th, the Gators and the Seminoles combined for five hits and 25 strikeouts. Then Kendrick Calilao called game.

SPORTS | COLUMNS

The NCAA’s one-time transfer rule will be good for the sport

By River Wells | Apr. 13, 2021

The NCAA is soon to implement its one-transfer rule permanently, but columnist River Wells thinks it's long overdue.

Florida looks to bounce back both in the FSU rivalry series and their 2021 season. Photo from UF-Jacksonville game March 14.

SPORTS | BASEBALL

Gators seek revenge for early Seminole defeat

By Ryan Haley | Apr. 13, 2021

After Florida State ran Florida out of Tallahassee in March, Florida seeks to regain momentum through redemption.

The Gators head into their last regular-season game. Photo from UF-LSU game Feb. 26.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS TENNIS

Gators cap-off regular season with a visit to South Carolina

By Jesse Richardson | Apr. 12, 2021

After inclement weather plagued the skies Saturday, the No. 13 Gators and No. 24 Gamecocks battle it out in their final regular-season match.

Mohamoud Diabate during the Florida-Georgia game Nov. 7, 2020. Photo courtesy of the SEC Media Portal.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Mohamoud Diabate: More than an athlete

By Grethel Aguila | Apr. 12, 2021

The junior is the only Muslim on the Gators football team. Throughout his life, he has sought a delicate balance between religion and football in a modern world.

The No. 5 Gators hold a 30-4 record, but three of their four losses came on the road.

SPORTS | SOFTBALL

Florida softball sees less team chemistry with COVID-19 protocols

By Rachel Slay | Apr. 12, 2021

The Gators divide into pods and travel on two separate buses for road games, limiting opportunities for casual conversation and taking a toll on teammate bonding.

Ben Shelton celebrates during a match against Texas Christian University March 27.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS TENNIS

Gators ride win streak into the SEC Tournament

By Jesse Richardson | Apr. 11, 2021

Throughout the season, Florida tennis found ways to dominate the opposition and put itself in prime position for a championship run.

Twenty-year-old UF junior defender Britney Bunbanlu trails behind 21-year-old UF junior Alexis Bernard as the midfielder dashes toward the goal.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS

UF club field hockey team overcomes pandemic challenges to get ready for next season

By Josh Kapke | Apr. 11, 2021

The UF Club Field Hockey Team is staying in shape to get back to tournament play next season. The women are looking forward to traveling outside of Florida again and welcome new members to their close-knit team.

The student section is home to the Rowdy Reptiles, who ignite Florida home games’ intense atmosphere.

SPORTS | MEN'S BASKETBALL

The Rowdy Reptiles: eager to return after the pandemic

By Rachel Slay | Apr. 11, 2021

The Rowdy Reptiles rocked the O’Dome during basketball games. Social distancing muzzled the student section’s roar, but it survived and is ready to shake things up again.

Florida second baseman Josh Rivera led off the fourth with a double. Photo from UF-Jacksonville game March 13.

SPORTS | BASEBALL

Armstrong pinch-hit home run lifts Gators to first SEC road win

By Griffin Foll | Apr. 11, 2021

The Gators dodged consecutive away series sweeps in Knoxville Sunday after Kris Amstrong’s three-run bomb in the eighth inning erased a 6-4 deficit.

SPORTS | SOFTBALL

Gators see mixed results in back-to-back games

By Faith Buckley | Apr. 11, 2021

The Gators found victory in their 11 a.m. game against Western Kentucky but bit the bullet against national team Softball Canada.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS LACROSSE

Gators lacrosse dominates the AAC

By Karina Wilson | Apr. 11, 2021

In the south, lacrosse is unconventional. But not for the Florida Gators who dominate the AAC.

Outfielder Jud Fabian jogs off the field March 13 against Jacksonville

SPORTS | BASEBALL

Gators drop game two, and the series, against Tennessee on Saturday night

By Sara Kate Dyson | Apr. 11, 2021

Gators drop the series against Tennesee in a 5-4 loss on Saturday night.

First baseman Kendrick Calilao sprints out of the batters box against Jacksonville March 14.

SPORTS | BASEBALL

Trio of Gator homers not enough to overcome Vols in Knoxville

By Griffin Foll | Apr. 10, 2021

No. 12 Florida fell 6-4 to No. 6 Tennessee in a pivotal series opener in Knoxville Friday night.

Blaise Bicknell's racket caught fire as he boasts a perfect SEC record this season. Courtesy of the UAA.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS TENNIS

Bicknell breaks the deadlock to cap-off regular season

By Jesse Richardson | Apr. 10, 2021

The No. 1 Florida Gators finish with a perfect SEC record after they toppled No. 13 South Carolina, 4-3.

The Gators applaud outside of their dugout during a game last season

SPORTS | SOFTBALL

Gators prepare for weekend without SEC, matches against Western Kentucky and CanadaThe

By Noah Ram | Apr. 10, 2021

Florida takes a break this weekend from SEC play with battles against Western Kentucky and Softball Canada.

Junior Trinity Thomas performs a floor routine Jan. 29 against Missouri

SPORTS | GYMNASTICS

Gators bit by injury bug

By Zachary Huber | Apr. 9, 2021

Gators suffered another pair of injuries Saturday in the NCAA Regional Finals that could dampen their hopes for another NCAA title.

UF defender Christen Westphal dribbles during Florida's 2-1 win against LSU on Oct. 11, 2015, at James G. Pressly Stadium. Wespthal now plays right-back for the Portland Thorns and is one of six former Gators playing professionally in the NWSL.

SPORTS | SOCCER

Six former Gators prepare for NWSL opening day

By Myles Herbert | Apr. 9, 2021

Florida is currently tied for eighth in the amount of former players which currently play in the league at six.

Florida will hit the road for a three-game weekend series in Knoxville as it takes on No. 6 Tennessee. Photo from UF-Jacksonville March 13.

SPORTS | BASEBALL

Gators head to Knoxville in search of first SEC road win

By Griffin Foll | Apr. 9, 2021

Following home victories over Stetson and Florida A&M, No. 12 Florida will look to pick up its first SEC road win in Knoxville this weekend against No. 6 Tennessee.