sports - The Independent Florida Alligator

Kelsey Stewart bats during Florida's 7-6 win against Auburn on April 5 at Katie Seashole Pressly Stadium. Stewart finished her sophomore season with a team-best .438 batting average while setting UF's single-season record for hits (102) and tying her record for stolen bases (36).

Sports

UF softball tops LSU on walk-off passed ball

By Luis Torres | Mar. 13, 2015

Kelsey Stewart had no time to think.

Bridget Sloan celebrates with teammates after scoring a perfect 10.0 on bars during Florida's win against Texas Woman's University on March 13 in the O'Connell Center.

Sports

Sloan posts perfect bars score as Florida wins on Senior Night

By GRAHAM HACK | Mar. 13, 2015

On a night intended to honor Florida’s four seniors, junior Bridget Sloan stole the show.

Florida head coach Billy Donovan speaks with Florida guard Chris Chiozza (11) during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game in the quarter final round of the Southeastern Conference tournament against the Kentucky, Friday, March 13, 2015, in Nashville, Tenn.

Sports

Johnson's Journal: Gators still leaving a legacy despite underwhelming season

By RICHARD JOHNSON | Mar. 13, 2015

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Friday’s game between Florida and Kentucky was one of dueling legacies — yes, average teams leave legacies too.

Coach Roland Thornqvist said his team will try to learn from its mistakes after Florida fell to Vanderbilt in Sunday's SEC Tournament championship game. “We can start from zero in our preparations," he said.

Sports

UF women's tennis continues road swing

By Eneisy Rodriguez | Mar. 13, 2015

The No. 2 Florida (11-1, 3-0 Southeastern Conference) women’s tennis team continue its three-match road swing today when it faces Arkansas (11-6, 1-2) at 5 p.m. at the Billingsley Tennis Center.

Dalton Guthrie bats during Florida's 22-3 win against Rhode Island on Saturday at McKethan Stadium.

Sports

UF baseball opens SEC slate against Tennessee

By JORDAN MCPHERSON | Mar. 12, 2015

Early on this season, coach Kevin O’Sullivan has put a heavy load on his freshman class.

Lauren Haeger rounds the bases after hitting a home run during Florida's 7-1 win against Kansas at Katie Seashole Pressly Stadium.

Sports

Battle of perfection: Undefeated UF, LSU begin series tonight

By Patrick Pinak | Mar. 12, 2015

Katie Seashole Pressly Stadium will likely turn into a zoo when two undefeated animals take the field tonight in UF’s Southeastern Conference opener.

Funny Car driver Matt Hagan races down the quarter-mile track at the CarQuest Auto Parts Nationals in Phoenix.

Sports

Racers ready to burn rubber at 2015 Gatornationals

By JORDAN MCPHERSON | Mar. 12, 2015

Matt Hagan has enjoyed success in his relatively young drag racing career.

Kytra Hunter performs on the uneven parallel bars during Florida's win against Missouri on Feb. 13.

Sports

Senior gymnast leaving it all on the floor in final home meet

By GRAHAM HACK | Mar. 12, 2015

For Gator gymnastics fans, tonight marks the end of an era.

Top Fuel series drag racer Terry McMillen gets into his dragster during a demonstration on Wednesday at Piesano's Pizza, located at 1250 W. University Ave.

Sports

Drag racer Terry McMillen enjoying life, looking for first career win this weekend

By GRAHAM HACK | Mar. 12, 2015

Despite his age, 60-year-old Terry McMillen hasn’t been around the National Hot Rod Association circuit for long.

J.D. Tomlinson swings during Day 1 of the SunTrust Gator Invitational on Feb. 14 at the Mark Bostick Golf Course.

Sports

Men’s golf heads to Tallahassee for three-day tourney

By Ryan Summers | Mar. 12, 2015

After four top-five performances, the Gators head to Tallahassee to try to knock off some of the nations best squads.

Florida's Marquis Dendy reacts after competing in the long jump at the NCAA track and field championships on June 12 in Eugene, Ore. Dendy became the first athlete to win both the long jump and the triple jump at the NCAA Outdoors since 2002.

Sports

Gators travel to Arkansas for NCAA Indoors

By Kyle Brutman | Mar. 12, 2015

For most of UF’s student body, Spring Break was a time of relaxation and a time to get away from the stressors that attending school builds on a person. However, for the No. 1/2 Florida men’s and women’s track and field teams, it was a time of preparation for the NCAA Indoor Championships.

Dalton Guthrie swings at a pitch during Florida's 8-7 win against Fairfield on March 10 at McKethan Stadium. Guthrie scored the go-ahead run for Florida in its 9-7 win against Vanderbilt on Saturday.

Sports

Florida baseball defeats Fairfield, shifts focus to SEC play

By IAN COHEN | Mar. 11, 2015

With strong play from its relievers and help from several early inning runs, Florida earned its second win against Fairfield Wednesday night.

Amanda Butler stares down the court during Florida's loss to No. 1 South Carolina on Monday in the O'Connell Center.

Sports

Amanda Butler receives contract extension through 2019

By JORDAN MCPHERSON | Mar. 11, 2015

Amanda Butler isn’t leaving Gainesville anytime soon.

Hugh Graham Jr. (left) hugs Arman Hall after winning the 4x400m relay during the NCAA Outdoor Championships in Eugene, Ore., on Jun. 8, 2013.

Sports

Gators sprinters readying for NCAA Championships

By Kyle Brutman | Mar. 11, 2015

Heading into this weekend’s NCAA Indoor Championships, the No. 1/2 Florida men’s and women’s track and field teams will feature 22 athletes at the meet, including a wide array of jumpers, throwers and distance runners.

Florida football coach Jim McElwain speaks to media members during a press conference on March 10 in the Southeast End Zone meeting room at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.

Sports

Notebook: McElwain building up Florida’s support staff

By RICHARD JOHNSON | Mar. 10, 2015

Will Muschamp tried to build Florida into what Alabama is on the field, with a style of play ready to line up and mash opponents into submission using unbalanced lines and "God’s play."

JJ Schwarz smiles as he runs toward home plate after hitting a two-run home run during Florida's 8-7 win against Fairfield on Tuesday at McKethan Stadium.

Sports

Freshman excels as Florida wins close midweek against Fairfield

By IAN COHEN | Mar. 10, 2015

With two outs and the bases loaded, Josh Tobias could hardly bear to waste the opportunity, especially with Florida’s power-hitter Harrison Bader injured.

Shannon Gilroy fights for a draw control during Florida's 14-13 overtime loss to Syracuse on Tuesday at Donald R. Dizney Stadium.

Sports

Florida lacrosse falls to Syracuse in overtime

By ALEX MAMINAKIS | Mar. 10, 2015

In Florida’s second game of the season against a top-10 opponent, the Gators couldn’t hang on long enough.

Florida coach Jim McElwain speaks about UF's 2015 recruiting class during a press conference on Feb. 4 in Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.

Sports

Air Jordan: McElwain limited on what he can do with Spring practice

By JORDAN MCPHERSON | Mar. 10, 2015

Jim McElwain entered the Southeast End Zone meeting room on Tuesday with his usual composed demeanor.

Will Grier warms up prior to Florida's game against Vanderbilt on Nov. 8 in Nashville, Tennessee.

Sports

Five burning questions heading into Spring football practice

By MORGAN MORIARTY | Mar. 10, 2015

Who has the edge at quarterback?

Coach Bryan Shelton talks with sophomores Elliott Orkin and Maxx Lipman during Florida's 9-3 win against William & Mary on Jan. 10 at the Ring Tennis Complex.

Sports

Florida falls to Ohio State in matchup of top-25 teams

By CAYLEE UNDERWOOD | Mar. 10, 2015

After losing 4-3 on the road to then-No. 14 Vanderbilt, the No. 18 Florida men’s tennis team was not only ready to be back on its home turf but also ready for some revenge against the team that ended its 2014 season in No. 10 Ohio State.