sports - The Independent Florida Alligator

Center fielder Nick Horvath threw out a runner at the plate Saturday against Stony Brook. He finished 1-for-2 from the plate with an RBI on a sacrifice fly.

Sports

Defense lifts Florida baseball past Stony Brook in second shutout of season

By Morgan McMullen | Mar. 3, 2018

Nick Horvath’s arm has more range than Madonna’s singing voice.

Senior Chase Perez-Blanco helped the Gators win the doubles point and took a singles point as well in a fiery matchup Friday night against Georgia.

Sports

Florida wins emotional match against rival Georgia

By Dylan Rudolph | Mar. 2, 2018

Freshman Oliver Crawford wiped the sweat from his forehead and took a deep breath before his serve. The crowd chanted, coaches shouted orders and teammates clamored with words of encouragement.

Senior Alex McMurtry won the individual title in beam (9.950), bars (9.950) and vault (9.925) Friday night against Missouri.

Sports

Florida falls to Missouri in first meet without injured All-American Kennedy Baker

By Alana Gomez | Mar. 2, 2018

Florida coach Jenny Rowland didn’t smile at the beginning of the Gators beam rotation Friday night. Her face held the same stern acceptance it had a week ago when senior Kennedy Baker tore her Achilles tendon against Arkansas, ending her collegiate career and leaving UF with one less All-American.

Center fielder Wil Dalton hit three home runs in Florida's Game 1 win over Stony Brook.

Sports

Dalton’s trio of homers powers Florida past Stony Brook

By Morgan McMullen | Mar. 2, 2018

Wil Dalton was just getting started.

Sophomore Johannes Ingildsen returned to the lineup to team up with junior Alfredo Perez.

Sports

Florida set to begin SEC play against Georgia and Tennessee

By Dylan Rudolph | Mar. 1, 2018

After a month of indoor play, the Florida men's tennis team is ready to get back outside and welcome No. 17 Georgia and No. 25 Tennessee to Gainesville. The Gators and Bulldogs will continue their annual rivalry today at 6 p.m. at the Ring Tennis Complex. Tennessee will follow on Sunday at 1 p.m.

Freshman attacker Grace Haus scored four goals on five shots Wednesday against Jacksonville.

Sports

Florida lacrosse team looking forward to its next test against North Carolina

By Tyler Nettuno | Mar. 1, 2018

After an easy 16-5 win against Jacksonville Wednesday night, the No. 6 Gators lacrosse team will head into arguably its most difficult stretch of the season when they face No. 3 North Carolina, No. 7 Syracuse and No. 8 Navy over an 11-day span.

Coach Cameron Newbauer completed his first season with an 11-19 record.

Sports

Florida builds 'foundation' in Newbauer’s debut season

By Justin Ahlum | Mar. 1, 2018

When asked what it has been like to play under the wing of first-year head coach Cameron Newbauer, the waterworks began to flow. Transfer Paulina Hersler had just finished her first and only season in a Florida Gators uniform and couldn’t hold back the tears.

Senior captain JJ Schwarz was one of three Gators batters to homer during the fifth inning of Wednesday's win over North Florida.

Sports

Gators diversifying offense with power and fundamentals

By Morgan McMullen | Mar. 1, 2018

What do the magic bullet theory, particle physics and long-distance relationships have in common?

Senior Kennedy Baker tore her Achilles tendon last week in a meet against Arkansas.

Sports

Gators focus on depth following Kennedy Baker’s career-ending injury

By Alana Gomez | Mar. 1, 2018

There was one less smile at the Gators gymnastics practice gym Wednesday.

Amanda Lorenz scorched another home run on Thursday against Alabama.

Sports

Homer-heavy routs propel Gators softball to spotless Day 1 of California tourney

By Mari Faiello | Mar. 1, 2018

There’s a lot you can do in 15 seconds.

Senior Peggy Porter clinched the match for UF in the first round of the NCAA Tournament. The Gators will move on to face rival Florida State.

Sports

Women’s tennis wins third straight meet after defeating Ole Miss

By River Wells | Mar. 1, 2018

Peggy Porter had been here before.

UF catcher Janell Wheaton was part of a controversial call in the fourth inning that allowed UCLA to card five runs in the frame.

Sports

Home Away From Home: UF’s softball team begins Judi Garman Classic in California

By Mari Faiello | Feb. 28, 2018

Gators catcher Janell Wheaton is stoked.

After starting off the season with a 5-4 record, coach Roland Thorqvist said the conference schedule ahead doesn't get any easier. “This is the most balanced I've seen (the SEC) in my 17 years at Florida," he said.

Sports

Women’s tennis to begin SEC run on the road in Mississippi

By River Wells | Feb. 28, 2018

With a 5-4 record, three true freshmen and the pressure of defending their NCAA championship from last season, the Gators women’s tennis team still has a lot to prove.

Lebron James didn't mince words on his feelings about paying college athletes. “I don’t know if there’s any fixing the NCAA,” he said.

Sports

LeBron James was right. The NCAA needs to allow college athletes to get paid

By Skyler Lebron | Feb. 28, 2018

Call me a LeBron James fanboy, and you’d be one thing.

Junior Sydney Pirreca scored three goals and added an assist Wednesday night against Jacksonville.

Sports

Florida’s hot start leads to smothering of Jacksonville in blowout victory

By Tyler Nettuno | Feb. 28, 2018

“Goal, Florida!”

Forward Haley Lorenzen played her final game as a Gator Wednesday with 14 points against Ole Miss.

Sports

Florida’s woeful 2017-18 campaign comes to a close in first round of SEC Tourney

By Justin Ahlum | Feb. 28, 2018

With six seconds remaining in the first round of the SEC Tournament, Florida knew its time was up.

Senior JJ Schwarz was honored on Sunday after an excellent (and ongoing) campaign at UF.

Sports

Homer-heavy fifth inning powers UF past North Florida

By Ethan Bauer | Feb. 28, 2018

Ping.

Sports

AGENT DOUBLE ZERO: Delicia Washington’s journey to UF and her tough decision over whether to stay

By Justin Ahlum | Feb. 28, 2018

Tara Washington glanced down at her phone as it started to buzz.

Junior attacker Lindsey Ronbeck has 10 goals and three assists through the first three games of the season.

Sports

Florida lacrosse team ready for last game of home stand against Jacksonville

By Tyler Nettuno | Feb. 27, 2018

After opening the season with games against three opponents ranked in the IWLCA top 25, Florida will have a tune-up game of sorts against Jacksonville before hitting the road to play No. 3 North Carolina and No. 7 Syracuse.

Sophomore Austin Langworthy moved from the leadoff spot to No. 7 in the Gators' lineup Tuesday against North Florida. He finished 1-for-3 with a single and a run scored.

Sports

Small ball and pitching powers Gators over Ospreys

By Morgan McMullen | Feb. 27, 2018

On a chilly Jacksonville evening, a nagging breeze danced across Dusty Rhodes Field at Harmon Stadium. The wind nudged fly balls around the outfield without favor.