sports - The Independent Florida Alligator

Sofie Oyen returns a ball during Florida’s 7-0 win against Florida State on Feb. 18 at the Ring Tennis Complex.

Sports

Seniors' run at Florida comes to an end

By IAN COHEN | Apr. 27, 2014

Florida’s three seniors waited four years for their Senior Day cake.

Sports

Alexander and Florida to await NCAA selection following 12th-place SEC finish

By LAYNE WEITZEL< | Apr. 27, 2014

What might be Buddy Alexander’s last tournament as head coach of Florida men’s golf came to a close Sunday.

Aaron Rhodes pitches during Florida’s 3-1 win against Florida State on March 18 at McKethan Stadium.

Sports

Rhodes tosses one-hit shutout

By ADAM LICHTENSTEIN< | Apr. 26, 2014

If Aaron Rhodes was still fighting for the Saturday starter spot entering Game 2 of the Missouri-Florida series, he has it all but secured now.

Lauren Haeger swings during Florida’s 2-0 win against Ole Miss on March 9 at Katie Seashole Pressly Stadium.

Sports

Haeger dominates in circle, at plate

By JORDAN MCPHERSON | Apr. 26, 2014

After Florida dropped its first contest 5-3 to Missouri on Friday, Lauren Haeger brought the Gators back to its winning ways.

Sports

Gators improve by 11 strokes, ranked 10th in tournament

By LAYNE WEITZEL< | Apr. 26, 2014

Florida turned things around in its conference title run on Saturday.

Sports

Florida rebounds from two-game losing skid to defeat SEC foe

By ADAM PINCUS< | Apr. 26, 2014

Zack Powers found himself in the middle of a bench-clearing tussle against Florida State. A month later, he came a call away from hitting into a triple play. The bizarre sequence started in the second inning with Powers roping a line drive to Missouri first baseman Kendall Keeton who snagged the liner, stepped on first and fired to third to complete the rare trifecta.

Sports

Tigers halt Gators 10-game win streak

By JORDAN MCPHERSON | Apr. 26, 2014

No. 3 Florida rode a 10-game win streak into its final home series against No. 15 Missouri on Friday.

Kirsti Merritt bats during UF's 17-1 win against USF on April 23 at Katie Seashole Pressly Stadium.

Sports

UF run rules USF for 10th-straight win

By JORDAN MCPHERSON | Apr. 24, 2014

Since Florida’s road sweep against Texas A&M last weekend — a series that saw the Gators bat .400 as a team — one phrase is circling around the team: hitting is contagious.

Junior third baseman Stephanie Tofft swings during Florida’s 4-2 win against Mississippi State on April 6 at Katie Seashole Pressly Stadium.

Sports

Florida hoping to continue momentum as USF matchup looms

By JORDAN MCPHERSON | Apr. 22, 2014

Tim Walton likes where his team is at with the regular season drawing to a close.

Sports

Three-star DB plans to visit Gators

By MORGAN MORIARTY | Apr. 22, 2014

Good things come to those who wait, or so the saying goes. That adage couldn’t be truer when it comes to high school recruiting.

Sammi Burgess (2) drives to the net during Florida’s 21-5 win against Jacksonville on Feb. 12 at Donald R. Dizney Stadium. Burgess chose UF over several different schools.

Sports

Burgeoning star: Freshman attacker helps UF reload roster

By EDEN OTERO | Apr. 21, 2014

“Just close your eyes and tell me where you are.”

Rachel Spicer performs a floor routine during Florida’s 197.525-196.025 win against Arkansas on Feb. 14 in the O’Connell Center. Coach Rhonda Faehn said Spicer dealt with Achilles tendonitis throughout the season.

Sports

Gators focused on staying healthy during championship run

By ERICA A. HERNANDEZ | Apr. 21, 2014

Fresh off the plane from Birmingham, Ala., Florida gymnastics coach Rhonda Faehn addressed the media for the final time of the 2014 season on Monday morning.

Bobby Poyner pitches during Florida’s 3-2 victory against Georgia on Saturday at McKethan Stadium. Poyner has a 3.99 ERA in 19 appearances in 2014.

Sports

Florida lineup changes

By ADAM PINCUS< | Apr. 21, 2014

Bobby Poyner watched most of Sunday’s finale from the dugout railing next to coach Kevin O’Sullivan and hitting coach Brad Weitzel. He was a day removed from striking out a career-high seven batters in four innings of relief.

Briana Little bats during Florida’s 8-0 win against Indiana on Feb. 22 at Katie Seashole Pressly Stadium. Little has six RBIs since April 11.

Sports

Infield leading UF offense

By JORDAN MCPHERSON | Apr. 21, 2014

Florida’s bats are alive.

Sports

Former UF center named NBA Defensive Player of the Year

By LANDON WATNICK< | Apr. 21, 2014

In the absence of Derrick Rose this season, Joakim Noah has flourished for the Chicago Bulls.

Bridget Sloan performs on the uneven bars during UF’s 198.125 - 197.625 win over LSU during on Feb. 21. Sloan was named the 2014 NCAA uneven bars champion during individual competition Sunday.

Sports

Sloan wins uneven bars title on final day of NCAAs

By JORDAN MCPHERSON | Apr. 20, 2014

After No. 1 Florida earned a share of its second-straight national title on Saturday, Bridget Sloan won a title of her own.

Outfielder Harrison Bader bats during Florida’s 4-0 win against Ole Miss on March 31, 2013, at McKethan Stadium.

Sports

Florida sweeps Georgia for first time since 2010 season

By JONATHAN CZUPRYN< | Apr. 20, 2014

With fewer than 24 hours separating Florida’s first and final game of the series against Georgia, the Gators’ bats came on strong Saturday and stayed hot through Sunday’s afternoon contest.

Hannah Rogers pitches during UF’s 8-0 home win against Indiana on Feb. 22. Rogers pitched a shutout and struck out a season-high-tying nine batters during Florida’s 8-0 victory against Texas A&M on Sunday.

Sports

UF senior pitcher tosses one-hitter to cap off sweep of TAMU

By JORDAN MCPHERSON | Apr. 20, 2014

After winning its first two games against No. 21 Texas A&M on Friday and Saturday, No. 5 Florida looked to earn its second straight Southeastern Conference sweep.

Junior midfielder Shannon Gilroy drives toward the goal during Florida’s 21-5 win against Jacksonville on Feb. 12 at Donald R. Dizney Stadium.

Sports

Florida clinches ALC title outright with victory at Northwestern

By EDEN OTERO | Apr. 20, 2014

Entering the season with only two seniors left and 11 freshmen dominating the roster, UF had something to prove.

Jayla Bostic talks with throws coach Steve Lemke after one of her hammer throw attempts during the Tom Jones Memorial Invite on April 19, 2014, at Percy Beard Track.

Sports

Junior hammer thrower tops personal best at home event

By LAWRENCE LAGUNA< | Apr. 20, 2014

For the first time this outdoor season, the field athletes outperformed the track stars.