Sports - The Independent Florida Alligator

Gators men’s tennis will head westward to continue a three-game win streak. Photo from UF-Auburn match Feb. 21.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS TENNIS

Gators look to extinguish red hot LSU

By Jesse Richardson | Feb. 25, 2021

First serve will be at 5 p.m. for the women and 6 p.m. for the men.

Trlicek entered at the top of the fifth and retired the Ospreys in order. Photo from UF-Charleston game Feb. 20.

SPORTS | SOFTBALL

Florida softball remains perfect after 8-0 takedown of UNF

By Rachel Slay | Feb. 25, 2021

Charla Echols turns two-out, bases loaded situation into a walk-off win for the Gators.

The Gators won Friday's opening game in the new Florida Ballpark. Photo courtesy of the UAA.

SPORTS | BASEBALL

Florida Ballpark shines under the Friday lights on opening weekend

By Ryan Haley | Feb. 25, 2021

Despite a hard-fought victory for the Gators Friday, there was one true star of opening night — Florida Ballpark.

Hunter Barco, a 19-year-old UF business administration freshman, pitches in an exhibition game against Georgia. Barco allowed four runs in a 5-2 loss to the Hurricanes.

SPORTS | BASEBALL

Gators host Samford in second weekend series

By Ryan Haley | Feb. 25, 2021

After an opening weekend that didn’t go as planned, the Gators will look to ride the momentum of a midweek sweep of North Florida as they host Samford for three games.

Redshirt sophomore Fred Biondi stares down a hole while practicing at Mark Bostick Golf Course. Biondi led the Gators at Vanderbilt, finishing 15th individually.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS GOLF

Florida looks to continue strong spring at LSU Invitational

By Michael Hull | Feb. 25, 2021

Florida will look to win its third straight tournament this weekend in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

Alyssa Baumann scored a 9.925 on the uneven bars after not competing in that routine for 1,699 days.

SPORTS | GYMNASTICS

Baumann looks to shine one more time for No. 1 Florida versus No. 18 Auburn

By Zachary Huber | Feb. 25, 2021

Florida gets a large chunk of its lineup back to face No. 18 Auburn. The meet starts at 8:15 p.m. and will stream on SEC Network.

Middle blocker Lauren Dooley leads the team in blocks/set at 1.2.

SPORTS | VOLLEYBALL

Dooley tallies eight blocks in three-set victory over Tennessee

By Zachary Huber | Feb. 25, 2021

Dooley blocks eight and records six kills in three-set victory versus Tennessee.

Center fielder Jud Fabian was selected 67th in the 2022 MLB Draft.

SPORTS | BASEBALL

Gators soar past Ospreys behind monster night from Jud Fabian

By Ryan Haley | Feb. 25, 2021

Star centerfielder Jud Fabian broke out of his early season slump in a huge way Wednesday, hammering two home runs as Florida sweep UNF to move to 3-2

Elizabeth Hightower Junior Elizabeth Hightower has an ERA of 0.74 entering Thursday’s game.

SPORTS | SOFTBALL

Florida looks to improve to 9-0 as it hosts UNF

By Noah Ram | Feb. 24, 2021

The Gators will play their sixth straight home game when they face UNF on Thursday evening.

Outside hitter T'ara Ceasar during the Gators' match against the Georgia Bulldogs on Friday, November 20, 2020 at Exactech Arena at the Stephen C. O'Connell Center in Gainesville, Florida.

SPORTS | VOLLEYBALL

Gators return to action against Tennessee

By Michael Hull | Feb. 24, 2021

Florida is 51-13 all time against the Volunteers.

Tre Mann played a key role in Florida's commanding 11-3 lead in the first five minutew of Tuesday's Auburn game. Photo from UF-Georgia game Feb.21.

SPORTS | MEN'S BASKETBALL

Gators drown Tigers in ferocious first-half showing

By Dylan O'Shea | Feb. 24, 2021

Tre Mann and Scottie Lewis powered Florida to a dominant win on the road against a short-handed Auburn squad.

SPORTS | BASEBALL

Gators hold off comeback to take first game against UNF

By Sara Kate Dyson | Feb. 23, 2021

Gators bounce back from weekend loss to take down UNF 9-6.

Maria Torres watches her shot during the SunTrust Gator Women's Golf Invitational on Saturday, March 11, 2017 at the Mark Bostick Golf Course in Gainesville.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS GOLF

Florida earns sixth straight Gators Invitational title

By Michael Hull | Feb. 23, 2021

The Gators were named co-champion of the 2021 Gators Invitational. Sophomore Annabell Fuller was the tournament’s lead scorer.

If the Gators come out with the right defensive intensity, they will create turnovers and prevent the Tigers’ offense from establishing a rhythm. Photo from UF-Georgia game Saturday.

SPORTS | MEN'S BASKETBALL

Gators prepare for Auburn in quest for tournament berth

By Declan Walsh | Feb. 23, 2021

UF’s best chance to snatch a nerve-cooling victory is Tuesday’s game at Auburn.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS SWIM AND DIVE

Gators look to win ninth consecutive SEC Title

By Faith Buckley | Feb. 22, 2021

Florida men’s swim and dive is set to make a splash at the SEC Championship Feb. 23-26 in Columbia, Missouri.

Despite missing four starters, Florida still won. And not only did Florida still win, it won with a score tied for its third highest this year.

SPORTS | COLUMNS

This year’s gymnastics team could be one of UF’s best teams in recent memory

By River Wells | Feb. 22, 2021

OPINION: If this year’s team can stick the landing, it has the potential to be among the best Gators teams of all time — across any sport.

Since Kevin O’Sullivan took over as coach in 2008, UF has made the NCAA Tournament 12 consecutive times and has an overall record of 530-253.

SPORTS | BASEBALL

The Gators struggle out of the bullpen on opening weekend

By Ryan Haley | Feb. 22, 2021

Florida’s biggest issue stuck out like a sore thumb on opening weekend. Despite a strong performance Sunday, the Gator bullpen must be more reliable moving forward.

UF pitcher Tommy Mace (left) speaking with coach Kevin O’Sullivan (middle) and catcher Brady Smith (right) during the UM series last year.

SPORTS | BASEBALL

Gators offense shines some light on disappointing loss to Hurricanes

By Sara Kate Dyson | Feb. 22, 2021

Defensive struggles plagued the Gators, but offense looked bright in series loss to Miami.

Addie Baggarly (pictured), Annabell Fuller, Ricky Castillo and Joe Pagdin earned spots on national collegiate watchlists Thursday.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS GOLF

Florida within striking distance in final round of Gators Invitational

By Michael Hull | Feb. 22, 2021

Annabell Fuller trails the leaders by just one stroke entering Wednesday.

SPORTS | BASEBALL

Gators look to bounce back in midweek slate against UNF

By Sara Kate Dyson | Feb. 22, 2021

Gators set to face off against UNF Tuesday and Wednesday after unexpected loss to Miami.