sports - The Independent Florida Alligator

Bridget Sloan performs a balance-beam routine during Florida’s 197.525-196.025 win against Arkansas on Feb. 14 in the O’Connell Center.

Sports

Sloan, Gators focusing on team competition in postseason play

By ERICA A. HERNANDEZ | Apr. 1, 2014

For Bridget Sloan and the rest of the Florida gymnasts, the time for individual goals is over.

Kayla Lewis attempts a shot during Florida’s 81-76 loss against Missouri on Feb. 20 in the O’Connell Center. Lewis will be the Gators’ only senior on the team’s roster next year.

Sports

Seniors hand over team’s reins to redshirt junior Lewis

By GORDON STREISAND< | Apr. 1, 2014

This season, a small, quick, offensive-minded Florida team made its way to the second round of the NCAA Tournament despite having only eight players for much of the way.

Marquis Dendy (far left) races in the 55m on Jan. 17, 2013, during the Gator Invitational in the O’Connell Center. Dendy finished first in the long jump at the Texas Relays.

Sports

Dendy re-emerges after poor performance at Indoors

By LAWRENCE LAGUNA< | Apr. 1, 2014

Marquis Dendy is on his way to recovering from the NCAA Indoor Championships.

Bobby Poyner pitches during Florida’s 2-1 win against Arkansas on March 15, 2014 at McKethan Stadium.

Sports

Pitching staff launches Florida into top-25 ranking

By ADAM PINCUS< | Mar. 31, 2014

March didn’t treat only the Florida men’s basketball program well.

Bridget Sloan performs a beam routine during Florida’s 197.525-196.025 win against Arkansas on Feb. 14 in the O’Connell Center.

Sports

UF resting before NCAAs

By ERICA A. HERNANDEZ | Mar. 31, 2014

A week off gave Florida gymnasts exactly what they need to regroup after an unexpected second-place finish at the 2014 Southeastern Conference Championship.

Sam Darcangelo prepares to shoot during Florida’s 18-7 win against High Point on Feb. 15, 2014 at Donald R. Dizney Stadium.

Sports

Sophomore midfielder amping up production for Florida

By EDEN OTERO | Mar. 31, 2014

Florida has shown how difficult being undefeated truly is. The Gators have finished undefeated in American Lacrosse Conference play only once — in 2012.

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

Sports

UF completes sweep of LSU

By ADAM LICHTENSTEIN< | Mar. 30, 2014

When Florida visited LSU in May 2013, the Tigers greeted the Gators with a dominating three-game sweep.

Nora Barry drives toward the ball during Florida’s 21-5 win against Jacksonville on Feb. 12 at Donald R. Dizney Stadium. Barry had one assist in Florida’s 13-9 win against Penn State on Sunday.

Sports

Junior midfielder leads Gators in win against Nittany Lions

By EDEN OTERO | Mar. 30, 2014

For three years, Nora Barry has played the supporting role of the unsung hero.

Camilla Hedberg putts the ball during the SunTrust Gator Invitational on March 15.

Sports

Hedberg finishes third as Florida ends tourney in ninth

By EMILY COCHRANE< | Mar. 30, 2014

Junior Camilla Hedberg’s second consecutive top-five placing while braving both sleet and wind led the Gators to a ninth-place finish Sunday.

Alexandra Cercone swings during Florida’s 7-0 victory against Baylor on Feb. 2, 2013, at the Ring Tennis Complex.

Sports

Gators sweep Tigers in home match

By IAN COHEN | Mar. 30, 2014

With four matches left in the season and the Southeastern Conference Tournament drawing closer, the Gators will soon try to capture their third national title in four years.

Sports

Florida men have best showing at NCAA Championships in 23 years

By Logan McGuire | Mar. 30, 2014

There just wasn’t enough left in the tank for the Gators to make a push down the stretch at the NCAA Men’s Swimming and Diving Championships, which ended Saturday.

Sports

UF rides doubles victory to shutout win against LSU

By BRITNEE MCCOY< | Mar. 30, 2014

After losing to Arkansas in Fayetteville, Ark., on Friday, Florida (10-7, 5-3 Southeastern Conference) didn’t waste any time getting back on track in its 4-0 victory over LSU (11-10, 2-7 SEC) in Baton Rouge, La., on Sunday.

Kelsey Stewart swings during Florida’s 8-0 win against Indiana on Feb. 22, 2014 at Katie Seashole Pressly Stadium.

Sports

Florida fails to hold leads in Tennessee sweep

By JORDAN MCPHERSON | Mar. 30, 2014

After opening up the second game with a leadoff single to right field, Stewart made it on base for her 38th consecutive game, topping UF’s record of 37 set by Michelle Moultrie’s in 2011.

Sports

Gators set records while competing at three meets

By LAWRENCE LAGUNA< | Mar. 30, 2014

Splitting the team up so it could compete at three different meets didn't hinder Florida this weekend.

Justin Shafer bats during Florida’s 4-0 win against Maryland on Feb. 14 at McKethan Stadium.

Sports

Florida sweeps doubleheader against LSU to open series

By ADAM PINCUS< | Mar. 29, 2014

In a game where one swing can decide a game, Florida had two carry them to a Game 1 victory in Saturday’s doubleheader against No. 4 LSU.

Kirsti Merritt bats against Florida’s 6-0 win against Jacksonville on Feb. 19 at Katie Seashole Pressly Stadium.

Sports

Home runs lift Tennessee over Florida

By JORDAN MCPHERSON | Mar. 28, 2014

The long ball favored Tennessee on Friday.

Kourtney Keegan swings at the ball during Florida’s 7-0 win against Florida State on Feb. 18 at the Ring Tennis Complex.

Sports

Gators women shut out Razorbacks at home

By IAN COHEN | Mar. 28, 2014

The Gators walked onto the courts at the Ring Tennis Complex on Friday having won their last 127 dual-matches at home.

Sophomore Gordon Watson hits the ball during Florida's 5-2 win against North Florida on Jan. 22.

Sports

Florida men struggles in doubles in loss to Arkansas

By BRITNEE MCCOY< | Mar. 28, 2014

In its first match of the weekend, No. 15 Florida fell 4-2 to Arkansas in Fayetteville.

UF coach Kevin O'Sullivan watches from outside the dugout during the Gators' 9-7 loss to Southern Miss. in game one of NCAA Super Regional play in McKethan stadium Saturday, June 6, 2009. O'Sullivan and the Gators were eliminated from the 2014 NCAA Tournament in the regional round on Saturday.

Sports

Gators facing one of nation’s top pitchers in series opener

By ADAM LICHTENSTEIN< | Mar. 27, 2014

The Gators defeated the top team in the nation Tuesday, but now they have to beat one of the best pitchers.

Hannah Rogers pitches during Florida’s 4-2 win against Mississippi State on April 6, 2013. Rogers has the fifth-best ERA (1.57) in the Southeastern Conference.

Sports

Florida, Tennessee look to dominant pitchers for series

By JORDAN MCPHERSON | Mar. 27, 2014

When No. 4 Florida starts its three-game series against No. 2 Tennessee in Knoxville, Tenn., tonight at 6, it’s going to be a pitcher’s duel.