Sports - The Independent Florida Alligator

Houston Astros' Jose Altuve flips his bat after striking out in the third inning of a baseball game against the Seattle Mariners, Wednesday, April 5, 2017, in Houston. (AP Photo/Eric Christian Smith)

SPORTS | COLUMNS

Column: Way-too-early MLB superlative predictions

By Patrick Pinak | Apr. 5, 2017

It’s April, which means Major League Baseball is in full swing.

Florida assistant coach Owen Field high fives UF gymnast Maegan Chant during the NCAA Gainesville Regional on Saturday in the O'Connell Center.

SPORTS | GYMNASTICS

Assistant coaches pumping up Gators

By Lauren Staff | Apr. 5, 2017

Two years ago, Owen Field was waiting for the call.

UF coach Mike White speaks with guard Canyon Barry during Florida's 71-62 win against Texas A&M on Feb. 11, 2017, in the O'Connell Center.

SPORTS | MEN'S BASKETBALL

Hoops recruiting: Gators to add four freshmen in 2017-18

By Ray Boone | Apr. 5, 2017

The Gators men’s basketball team is losing seniors Kasey Hill, Canyon Barry, Justin Leon and Schuyler Rimmer to graduation, and it could possibly lose junior starters Devin Robinson and John Egbunu to the NBA Draft.

UF attacker Mollie Stevens fights for the ball during Florida's 15-8 win against Denver on March 28, 2017, at Donald R. Dizney Stadium.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS LACROSSE

Gators going into Marquette matchup atop Big East standings

By Jake Dreilinger | Apr. 4, 2017

Florida was up 2-0 over Vanderbilt on Saturday when attacker Mollie Stevens won the ensuing draw control.

UF shortstop Sophia Reynoso swings at a pitch during Florida's 15-7 win against Bethune-Cookman on March 29, 2017, at Katie Seashole Pressly Stadium.

SPORTS | SOFTBALL

Despite losing leadership, Gators offense has improved

By Skyler Lebron | Apr. 4, 2017

Just like last year’s squad, the Gators softball team has built a 33-2 record through its first 35 contests.

Florida head coach Jim McElwain looks on during a spring practice at the Sanders Practice Field on March 22, 2017.

SPORTS | COLUMNS

Column: Please, coach McElwain, learn to answer questions

By Ethan Bauer | Apr. 4, 2017

Last week I asked coach Jim McElwain if he thought the word adversity was overused in sports. He stuttered once, stuttered again and finally gave a winding response that didn’t answer the question and somehow brought up the questionable nature of participation trophies.

The tarp is pulled over the field as rain falls at McKethan Stadium during Florida's canceled game against Stetson on Tuesday night.

SPORTS | BASEBALL

Rain saves Gators from lopsided loss

By Patrick Pinak | Apr. 4, 2017

Kevin O’Sullivan has never lost to Stetson in his 10-year tenure as Florida’s head coach.

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

Gators using sting of defeat to prepare for SEC Championship

By Morgan McMullen | Apr. 3, 2017

The Gators women’s golf team was housed by a local family — the Bryants — during the second annual Clemson Invitational over the weekend. However, that was the extent of all hospitality expressed toward UF during its stay.

UF's Gordon Neale hits a shot during the SunTrust Gator Invitational on Feb. 18, 2017, at the Mark Bostic Golf Course.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS GOLF

Deacon reflects on ‘amazing weekend’ at Mason Rudolph

By Justin Ahlum | Apr. 3, 2017

Gordon Neale stepped up to a 25-foot putt on the 18th hole.

UF's Josie Kuhlman hits a backhand during Florida's 4-2 win against Oklahoma State on Feb. 18, 2017, at the Ring Tennis Complex.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS TENNIS

Women’s tennis team gets dominance, discipline from Kuhlman

By Spencer Thompson | Apr. 3, 2017

Nineteen games into the season, Roland Thornqvist doesn’t have his lineup figured out.

FILE - In this March 5, 2017, file photo, Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook (0) smiles on the court during the second half of an NBA basketball game against the Dallas Mavericks, in Dallas. Westbrook was once considered selfish and out of control. Now, he's harnessed his fury and competitive fire to become the ultimate teammate. (AP Photo/LM Otero, File)

SPORTS | COLUMNS

Column: Who should win the NBA MVP race?

By IAN COHEN | Apr. 3, 2017

Usually the NBA’s annual MVP race is fairly clear cut.

UF gymnast Alicia Boren sprints during the NCAA Gainesville Regional on Sunday in the O'Connell Center.

SPORTS | GYMNASTICS

'The story continues': UF gymnastics moving forward

By Lauren Staff | Apr. 3, 2017

There was nothing Alicia Boren could do but watch.

UF Jim McElwain walks between rows of players during a spring practice at the Sanders Practice Field on March 22, 2017.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Notebook: Unnamed quarterback beginning to separate himself from the pack

By Dylan Dixon | Apr. 3, 2017

In the late 1980s, Jim McElwain was starting to get his feet wet by coaching as an assistant at Eastern Washington. Around the same time, he was approached with an opportunity that could have altered the course of his career.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS GOLF

Florida falters late at Clemson Invitational

By Morgan McMullen | Apr. 2, 2017

The Gators women’s golf team finished the second round of the Clemson Invitational in a tie for second place at 7 under on Saturday. The only thing to change between then and the end of the final round on Sunday was a lower placement.

UF's Sam Horsfield swings during the SunTrust Gator Invitational on Feb. 18, 2017, at the Mark Bostic Golf Course.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS GOLF

Gators win tournament as Horsfield takes individual title

By Justin Ahlum | Apr. 2, 2017

Florida was trailing Alabama going into the final round on Saturday night. But on Sunday, the Gators rolled past the Tide to win the Mason Rudolph Championship by one stroke.

UF freshman Grant Holloway jumps at the Hokie Invitational men's long jump final on Jan. 21, 2017.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS TRACK

UF track teams find success at Florida Relays

By Daniel Smithson | Apr. 2, 2017

Florida hadn’t led the entire race.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS TENNIS

Florida plays ‘complete weekend, dominates

By Spencer Thompson | Apr. 2, 2017

After a week with very little practice and two players sick with the flu, the Gators women’s tennis team could’ve played slow. Instead, they dominated.

Kelly Barnhill pitches during UF's doubleheader sweep of Jacksonville on Feb. 27, 2016, at Katie Seashole Pressly Stadium.

SPORTS | SOFTBALL

Florida sweeps Arkansas behind Barnhill

By Cassie Amundson | Apr. 2, 2017

Arkansas shouldn’t have been surprised.

UF gymnast Rachel Slocum celebrates during the NCAA Gainesville Regional on April 1, 2017, in the O'Connell Center.

SPORTS | GYMNASTICS

Florida has Super Six aspirations following NCAA Championships berth

By Lauren Staff | Apr. 2, 2017

As soon as Rachel Slocum stuck her landing on vault, she couldn’t contain her excitement.

UF first baseman JJ Schwarz swings during Florida's 2-0 win against Miami on Feb. 25, 2017, at McKethan Stadium.

SPORTS | BASEBALL

Gators edge out Mizzou for series sweep

By Ethan Bauer | Apr. 2, 2017

Jackson Kowar watched and hoped. He needed the bunt to roll foul. He waited for it to roll foul. But it teetered right up against the third-base line and ended up fair.