sports - The Independent Florida Alligator

Florida's Kevin Edengren returns the ball during an NCAA men's tennis match against Gustav Hasslegren of Florida Gulf Coast University, Saturday, Feb. 7, 2026, in Gainesville, Fla.

Sports

Florida claims commanding victory over Clemson in day two of the ITA National Indoors

By Ethan Feinberg | Feb. 14

The dual match came down to the third set as junior Kevin Edengren mounted a relentless comeback, winning 6-4 in his last two sets and securing the win for the Gators. After a slow start to the ITA National Indoors on Friday, Florida got things going and defeated Clemson 4-3 in the tournament's day-two back draw round Saturday night in Dallas, Texas.

Florida Gators sophomore first baseman Ethan Surowiec during an NCAA Baseball game against UAB, Saturday, Feb. 14, 2026, in Gainesville, Fla.

Sports

Cooper Walls dominates in Gator debut as No. 13 Florida clinches opening series against UAB

By Adrian Carmona | Feb. 14

Hawaii transfer Cooper Walls showed out in his Gator debut as No. 13 Florida took the season series against the UAB Blazers 6-1.

Kelvin Cheruiyot runs during the Gans Creek Classic cross country meet on Friday, September 26, 2025 at Missouri in Columbia, Miz. / UAA Communications photo by Dylan Cannella

Sports

Gators runners rewrite record books across the nation

By Logan McBride | Feb. 14

The Florida Gators stretched their success across three time zones this weekend, posting historic marks in three different states. While the bulk of the squad returned to Fayetteville, Arkansas, for the Tyson Invitational, other Florida runners clocked in performances out west in Seattle and up north in Boston on Feb. 13–14.

Florida Gators infielder Kenleigh Cahalan rounds the bases after hitting a grand slam during the third inning of an NCAA softball game against Jacksonville, Wednesday, Feb. 11, 2026, in Gainesville, Fla.

Sports

No. 4 Florida leans on the long ball in victory over Marshall

By Zach Moore | Feb. 14

The story of the day for the Gators was the reliance on home runs. Florida had nine dingers across the doubleheader, more than enough for the No. 4 Gators to cruise to a run-rule 14-4 victory over the Marshall Thundering Herd. In the victory, the Gators had 12 hits across the game.

Florida Gators infielder Kenleigh Cahalan hits a grand slam during the third inning of an NCAA softball game against Jacksonville, Wednesday, Feb. 11, 2026, in Gainesville, Fla.

Sports

No.4 Florida out-slugs Florida International in run-rule fashion

By Zach Moore | Feb. 14

A slugfest is unfamiliar territory for the 2026 Florida softball team. Throughout its first nine games, the pitching staff had a combined .80 ERA and had only given up 13 runs. That all changed in Saturday’s matinee.

Florida senior Brandon Sproat squats on the mound during Florida’s 5-4 loss to Texas Tech Saturday, June 3, 2023.

Sports

King thrives, offense shines as Gators run-rule UAB in game two

By Adrian Carmona | Feb. 14

No. 13 Florida bounced back in game two against UAB 11-0 behind a stellar outing from Aidan King and a nine-run first inning.

Florida’s Henry Jefferson hits the ball during an NCAA men's doubles tennis match against Florida State in Gainesville, Fla., Friday, Jan 30, 2026.

Sports

Henry Jefferson’s heroics not enough as No. 23 Gators fall to No. 6 Mississippi State

By Ethan Feinberg | Feb. 13

After a 4-0 sweep last week and after securing a spot in the 2026 ITA National Indoor tournament, No. 23 Florida looked to keep its momentum rolling. However, it ran into a wagon: No. 6 Mississippi State.

Florida Gators right handed pitcher Ricky Reeth winds up to pitch during an NCAA Baseball game against UAB, Friday, Feb. 13, 2026, in Gainesville, Fla.

Sports

No. 13 Gators drop season opener against UAB in extra innings

By Adrian Carmona | Feb. 13

The No. 13-ranked Florida Gators baseball team dropped its season opener in upset fashion against the UAB Blazers 9-7.

Florida gymnast Riley McCusker performs on the bars during an NCAA gymnastics meet against Oklahoma, Friday, Feb. 13, 2026, in Gainesville, Fla.

Sports

Harris-Miranda, No. 5 Florida overpowered by No. 1 Oklahoma

By Max Bernstein | Feb. 13

With two of the top five teams in the nation facing off, every little thing matters. In front of the sold-out O'Connell Center crowd, No. 5 Florida delivered one of their best performances of the season. Despite a pair of early slips on the vault and two miscues on the floor, the Gators posted an impressive score.

Florida Gators outfielder Townsen Thomas prepares to swing at a pitch during an NCAA softball game against Marshall, Friday, Feb. 13, 2026, in Gainesville, Fla.

Sports

Erickson’s two-homerun night powers No. 4 Florida over Georgia Tech

By Zach Moore | Feb. 13

Softball is full of ups and downs, and that was exactly what the Florida Gators faced in tonight’s matchup. Florida adversity continued until the sixth, when all eyes were on the reigning Softball America freshman of the year, Taylor Shumaker, and she delivered.

Florida’s Valery Gynina hits the ball during an NCAA women’s tennis match against Troy, Friday, Feb. 13, 2026, in Gainesville, Fla.

Sports

Gators get back-to-back victories at home, finish 7-0 against the Raging Cajuns

By Sofia Alamo | Feb. 13

Despite leaving Troy winless in the morning, the Gators were still hungry for more victories on Friday. They gave Louisiana no room to breathe in their first meeting in program history. No. 24 Florida defeated the Louisiana Raging Cajuns 7-0 on Friday afternoon at the Alfred A. Ring Tennis Complex.

Florida Gators catcher Jocelyn Erickson swings during an NCAA softball game against Marshall, Friday, Feb. 13, 2026, in Gainesville, Fla.

Sports

No. 4 Florida capitalizes off a pair of three-run innings to defeat Marshall

By Zach Moore | Feb. 13

On a beautiful day at Katie Seashole Pressly Stadium, No. 4 Florida defeated Marshall 6-3. Today’s matchup marked the fifth time the Gators and Thundering Herd have faced each other, and Florida moved to 5-0 in the series following the win.

Florida midfielder Kaitlyn Davies (5) embraces attacker Clark Hamilton (21) and attacker Frannie Hahn (16) after scoring a goal during the second half of an NCAA lacrosse match against Michigan, Friday, Feb. 13, 2026, in Gainesville, Fla.

Sports

No. 4 Florida drops season opener against No. 19 Michigan

By Coral Uzgiden | Feb. 13

Fresh off the heels of two consecutive Final Four appearances, hope was high for No. 4 Florida to start its season on a high note.

Florida’s Brooke Black walks down the court before an NCAA women’s tennis match against Troy, Friday, Feb. 13, 2026, in Gainesville, Fla.

Sports

No. 24 Florida secures clean sweep in home opener against Troy

By Sofia Alamo | Feb. 13

A sunny sky and an at-home crowd seemed to be the perfect formula for the Florida women’s tennis team.

Florida guard Liv McGill (23) takes a layup during the first half of an NCAA basketball game against Arkansas, Sunday, Feb. 8, 2026, in Gainesville, FL.

Sports

Florida’s upset attempt falls short against No. 10 Oklahoma

By Isis Snow | Feb. 12

After a sloppy first half by both teams and an uphill climb for the Sooners in the third, it all came down to the fourth quarter.

Freshman defender Ashley Dyer runs up the field during the Florida Gators’ Lacrosse game against the Jacksonville Dolphins on Wednesday, February 28. Photo by Ryan Friedenberg

Sports

Making it all the way: Florida lacrosse nears season opener

By Coral Uzgiden | Feb. 12

Florida lacrosse has achieved more in the last two years than any previous Gator team could. Last season, the Gators made history by securing their second consecutive Final Four finish, the third in program history, with the first being in 2012. This year, they are ready to go all the way.

University of Florida Women’s Basketball team play against the University of Alabama on Thursday, February 6th, 2025.

Sports

Gators women’s basketball standings check-in

By Isis Snow | Feb. 12

Florida faces the final five games of the regular season, vying for a favorable seeding in the SEC Tournament. Where they stand and what it’ll take.

Sports

Kenleigh Cahalan grand slam powers No. 4 Florida to run-rule victory over Jacksonville

By Zach Moore | Feb. 11

The eyes were on senior shortstop Kenleigh Cahalan early on in the contest. The bases were loaded in the third inning, and Cahalan launched a dead-center grand slam to give Florida a 7-0 lead.

Bryce Thornton (18) celebrates a pass breakup during the first quarter against the Lousiana State Tigers at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium on Saturday, Nov. 16, 2024.

Sports

How Chris Collins versatile secondary will complement Brad White’s scheme at Florida

By Curan Ahern | Feb. 11

Though Florida football nearly cleaned the house ahead of its 2026 campaign, both key returners and new pieces are set to contribute to a versatile defense led by defensive coordinator Brad White and safeties coach Chris Collins.

Florida Gators wide receiver Vernell Brown III (8) runs with the ball in a football game between the South Florida Bulls and the Florida Gators on Sept. 6, 2025, at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville, Fla.

Sports

Florida’s young wide receiver room looks to make strides in 2026

By Ava DiCecca and Riley Orovitz | Feb. 11

Despite a tumultuous transfer portal for Florida, the Gators' wide receiver room is restocked. Part of Florida’s core five returners from the 2025-26 campaign were two receivers, Vernell Brown III and Dallas Wilson.