Sports - The Independent Florida Alligator

SPORTS | COLUMNS

Goodbye Column: Make the most of your college experience

By Patrick Pinak | Apr. 19, 2017

I still remember my first semester at UF in 2012.

Former New England Patriots tight end Aaron Hernandez listens to the prosecution's summary of facts as he is arraigned on homicide charges at Suffolk Superior Court in Boston, Wednesday. Hernandez pleaded not guilty in the shooting deaths of Daniel de Abreu and Safiro Furtado. He already faces charges in the 2013 killing of semi-pro football player Odin Lloyd.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Convicted murderer, former UF star Aaron Hernandez found dead from suicide

By The Associated Press | Apr. 19, 2017

BOSTON (AP) — Former NFL star Aaron Hernandez hanged himself in his prison cell early Wednesday while serving a life sentence for murder, authorities said.

Frank Rubio pitches during Florida's 10-4 loss to Mississippi State on April 9, 2016, at McKethan Stadium.

SPORTS | BASEBALL

Rubio shines in UF's win over UNF

By Patrick Pinak | Apr. 19, 2017

Pitted against one of the best hitting teams in the country, Frank Rubio’s name was called upon.

Kaleb Lewis mows the infield at McKethan Stadium on Monday, April 17, 2017.

SPORTS | BASEBALL

Blades of Glory: Ever wonder how fields end up with patterns in the grass? It’s more complicated than you might think.

By Ethan Bauer | Apr. 19, 2017

When the sun rose over the O’Connell Center on Monday morning, the infield grass at McKethan Stadium was just starting to look presentable. It was 7:52 a.m., and when it finally peeked over the dome, UF student Kaleb Lewis had to pause. He couldn’t risk messing up his masterpiece by succumbing to the glare.

Bridget Sloan performs on the balance beam during Florida's win against Arkansas on Feb. 12, 2016, in the O'Connell Center.

SPORTS | FEATURES

Where they are now: Former UF gymnast transitioning to life off the mat

By IAN COHEN | Apr. 18, 2017

Bridget Sloan called it her slump period.

Former UF basketball player Brooke Copeland is proposed to by boyfriend and UNC star basketball player Justin Jackson on April 16, 2017, in Seaside Beach, Florida.

SPORTS | WOMEN'S BASKETBALL

Her Decision: Florida's Brooke Copeland gives up basketball to make difference in the world

By Ethan Bauer | Apr. 18, 2017

Do you hear it? The ticking? She hears it. She’s been hearing it for as long as she can remember, and now it’s grown from a little pinch to a searing pain she can’t hide if she tries. She hears it when she thinks about her future — a future that, until recently, saw her heading to the WNBA. Well, no more. No more basketball for junior Brooke Copeland. Not when people are suffering, dammit, and not while she can do something about it in her limited time on earth.

Egor Koulechov announced his intentions to transfer to Florida from Rice, he told Scout.com on Tuesday, April 18, 2017.

SPORTS | MEN'S BASKETBALL

Florida basketball lands graduate transfer from Rice

By Matt Brannon | Apr. 18, 2017

The Gators basketball team picked up a 6-foot-5 sharp-shooting transfer from Rice on Tuesday.

UF coach Roland Thornqvist looks on during Florida's 4-2 win against Oklahoma State on Feb. 18, 2017, at the Ring Tennis Complex.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS TENNIS

Florida motivated after loss to Vanderbilt, eager to redeem themselves

By Spencer Thompson | Apr. 17, 2017

It looked all too familiar for the Gators women’s tennis team. Having lost the doubles point, Florida struggled to fight back in singles, ended a winning streak and recorded an unexpected loss.

UF lacrosse head coach Amanda O'Leary stands in the center of her players during Florida's 15-8 win against Denver on March 25, 2017, at Donald R. Dizney Stadium.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS LACROSSE

The House that Mandee Built: O'Leary has led UF lacrosse to national prominence

By Jake Dreilinger | Apr. 17, 2017

The Florida lacrosse team wasn’t supposed to make it this far.

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

SPORTS | GYMNASTICS

Top three moments from UF gymnastics' 2017 season

By Lauren Staff | Apr. 17, 2017

Though the Gators fell short of a national title on Saturday, there were still many memorable moments throughout their run to the NCAA Championships.

Coach Kevin O'Sullivan and the Gators dropped their first home game since March 23 in an 8-4 loss against Jacksonville Tuesday night. “We’ve gotta clean up some mistakes,” O'Sullivan said.

SPORTS | BASEBALL

Florida offense showing signs of life

By Ethan Bauer | Apr. 16, 2017

Quick, UF baseball fans, call your mothers. Wake the children. Light the freakin’ beacons.

UF pitcher Kelly Barnhill winds up during Florida's 5-0 win against Georgia on April 8, 2017, at Katie Seashole Pressly Stadium.

SPORTS | SOFTBALL

Behind Barnhill’s no-hitter, Gators shut out Kentucky

By Cassie Amundson | Apr. 16, 2017

Kentucky freshman Alex Martens stepped into the batter’s box in the bottom of the seventh.

UF sophomore McClain Kessler pumps his fist during Florida's 4-2 win against UCLA on Feb. 5, 2017, at the Ring Tennis Complex.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS TENNIS

Men’s tennis team dominates Auburn on Senior Day

By Mark Stine | Apr. 16, 2017

The regular season ended on a high note for the UF men’s tennis team, which shut out the Auburn Tigers 7-0 on Sunday.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS TENNIS

Vandy upsets No. 1 Gators

By Spencer Thompson | Apr. 16, 2017

With the SEC title on the line, the Gators women’s tennis team found itself in a hole. After six consecutive shutouts, Florida went down early to No. 5 Vanderbilt after losing the doubles point for only the fourth time this season.

UF's Ingrid Neel 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

Punching up and standing out: UF's Neel continues to separate herself from competition

By Spencer Thompson | Apr. 16, 2017

Parents snickered as she walked out.

UF gymnast Alex McMurtry performs a routine during the NCAA Gainesville Regional on April 1, 2017, in the O'Connell Center.

SPORTS | GYMNASTICS

"We will be back": UF still smiling after losing title

By Lauren Staff | Apr. 16, 2017

By the time Alex McMurtry’s turn came on bars, Oklahoma had already clinched its second straight NCAA title.

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 blow past Butler, remain undefeated in conference play

By Jake Dreilinger | Apr. 16, 2017

Florida’s game had just started when midfielder Brianna Harris won the opening draw control. The freshman passed the ball off to set up the offense while she got into position.

Florida's Alex McMurtry competes on the balance beam during the NCAA college women's gymnastics championships, Saturday, April 15, 2017, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)

SPORTS | GYMNASTICS

Gators finish in third at NCAA Championships

By Lauren Staff | Apr. 15, 2017

In the last routine of the night for the Gators, Alex McMurtry took a deep breath, saluted the judges and grabbed onto the bars.

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

SPORTS | BASEBALL

Offense explodes in Florida's rout of Vanderbilt

By Patrick Pinak | Apr. 15, 2017

As the ball flew over the infield and dumped into center field, JJ Schwarz held just the handle of his bat. He looked perplexed.

UF pitcher Kelly Barnhill throws a pitch during Florida's 5-0 win against Georgia on April 8, 2017, at Katie Seashole Pressly Stadium.

SPORTS | SOFTBALL

Barnhill's gem leads UF to win over Kentucky

By Cassie Amundson | Apr. 15, 2017

As Kentucky catcher Jenny Schaper scrambled for a ball that didn’t quite make it to her glove, Aleshia Ocasio was headed from third base to home plate.