sports - The Independent Florida Alligator

Throwers coach Steve Lemke (left) and coach Mike Holloway walk across the field at Percy Beard Track at Pressly Stadium during the 2012 Florida Relays. Seventeen Gators qualified Sunday for the NCAA Outdoor Championships, which are set to begin June 5.

Sports

Gators excel in hammer throw

By GORDON STREISAND< | May 10, 2013

Thursday was hammer time for the Gators.

Junior Camilla Hedberg watches her shot during the SunTrust Gator Invitational on March 15 at Mark Bostick Golf Course.

Sports

The Gators women’s golf team had possibly their best first round of the season, landing in first place in the first round of the NCAA Central Regional thanks to a five-under (six-under) par (282) score as a team.

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

Sports

Gators drop Crimson Tide in SEC Quarterfinals

By LANDON WATNICK< | May 9, 2013

After Florida relinquished a 4-0 lead to Alabama during the top of the fifth, Kirsti Merritt fueled UF’s offense with a home run to left field.

Freshman outfielder Harrison Bader slides into home during Florida's 14-5 win against South Carolina on Saturday. Bader scored a run in the Gators' 7-1 win against the Owls on Tuesday.

Sports

Florida comes back to defeat Florida Atlantic

By JOSH JURNOVOY< | May 7, 2013

Desperately in need of a win to keep its NCAA Tournament hopes alive, Florida Atlantic looked to have Florida in an ideal spot.

Senior center fielder Cody Dent swings during Florida’s 16-5 win against Duke on Feb. 17 at McKethan Stadium. Dent hit his first career home run against Florida A&M on Monday.

Sports

Dent's homer keys Gators' blowout

By JOSH JURNOVOY< | May 6, 2013

What was shaping into a blowout win against a forgettable team turned into something much more for Cody Dent.

Florida’s Ashley Bruns (13) attacks the net against Ohio State defender Tayler Kuzma (24) in the Gators’ 13-7 win against the Buckeyes on March 23 at Dizney Stadium. Northwestern held Bruns to one goal in Florida's 8-3 loss on Sunday.

Sports

Florida falls in ALC Tournament

By CHUCK KINGSBURY< | May 5, 2013

Two days removed from a convincing victory over Ohio State, No. 1 seed Florida (17-2, 5-2 American Lacrosse Conference) dropped the ball against second-seeded Northwestern (12-2, 4-1 ALC) in the championship round of the ALC Tournament in Baltimore, Md.

Kelsey Horton connects with a pitch in Florida's 5-2 win against Auburn on April 15, 2012. Horton hit a home run in Florida's 10-4 win against Missouri in the SEC Tournament final on Saturday.

Sports

Gators split doubleheader with Gamecocks

By LANDON WATNICK< | May 4, 2013

Competing in a doubleheader with South Carolina on Saturday, Florida earned the series victory but lost its first contest to USC in 10 years.

Freshman pitcher Danny Young warms up on the mound before Florida’s 4-0 victory against Ole Miss on March 31 at McKethan Stadium. Young picked up the loss in the Gators' 18-6 loss to the Tigers on Saturday.

Sports

Florida's pitching struggles in blowout loss

By ADAM LICHTENSTEIN< | May 4, 2013

The Gators scored two runs in the top of the first and 4 runs in the top of the ninth against the Tigers on Saturday. In between those two innings, LSU scored 18 times.

Sports

Florida ends regular season at Seminole Twilight

By GORDON STREISAND< | May 3, 2013

With the running events over for the regular season, the Gators officially closed out the regular season at the Seminole Twilight meet in Tallahassee with a handful of field-only events.

Junior Hannah Rogers waits in the circle during Florida’s 4-2 win against Mississippi State on April 6 at Katie Seashole Pressly Stadium. Rogers threw 288 pitches in 15 innings of work in the Southeastern Conference Tournament last weekend.

Sports

Gators ride big third inning to victory

By GORDON STREISAND< | May 3, 2013

Hannah Rogers made quick work of the Gamecocks on Friday night.

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

Sports

Sophomore pitcher quiets Gators' bats in shutout win

By PHIL HEILMAN | May 3, 2013

Aaron Nola entered Friday with three complete games in his past three outings.

Florida players lean on the dugout railing while watching the Gators’ 14-5 win against South Carolina on April 13 at McKethan Stadium. Florida dropped the opener of its three-game series against LSU 3-2 on Thursday.

Sports

Offense struggles in loss to LSU

By JOSH JURNOVOY< | May 2, 2013

Florida had a chance to steal a game from LSU with a favorable pitching matchup on Thursday night.

Sophomore catcher Taylor Gushue swings Florida’s 14-5 win against South Carolina on April 12 at McKethan Stadium. Gushue leads the Gators with 30 RBI.

Sports

Gators to swing freely against Tigers staff

By JOSH JURNOVOY< | May 1, 2013

The Gators’ approach at the plate didn’t work out on Sunday against Tennessee.

Freshman starting pitcher Jay Carmichael warms up between innings during Florida’s 4-1 win against Kentucky on March 15 at McKethan Stadium. Carmichael only pitched 1.2 innings in April while dealing with arm soreness.

Sports

Injured starters nearing return

By JOSH JURNOVOY< | May 1, 2013

Florida enters its series against LSU on Thursday with Jonathon Crawford and two question marks as its three starters.

Junior runner Agata Strausa, runs in the Mountain Dew Invitational on Sept. 15 at the Mark Bostick golf course.

Sports

Gators set personal records at final regular season meet

By GORDON STREISAND< | Apr. 29, 2013

Florida’s outdoor regular season came to a close on Sunday night at the Payton Jordan Invitational in Palo Alto, Calif.

Freshman Richie Martin (12) bats in Florida’s 7-4 loss to Florida Gulf Coast on Feb. 24 at McKethan Stadium. Martin was the only player with more than one hit in the Gators' 4-2 loss to the Volunteers on Sunday.

Sports

Tennessee ace silences Florida offense

By JOSH JURNOVOY< | Apr. 28, 2013

The Gators had a chance to go for the sweep on Sunday.

Taylor Schwarz prepares for the pitch during Florida’s 8-0 win against Arkansas on March 22 at Katie Seashole Pressly Stadium.

Sports

Gators shut out Bulldogs to clinch final home series

By LANDON WATNICK< | Apr. 28, 2013

Florida jumped out to an early lead Sunday afternoon and cruised past Georgia courtesy of Taylor Schwarz’s bat.

Sophomore jumper Marquis Dendy competes in the long jump at the SEC Indoor Track Championships on Feb. 23 in Fayetteville, Ark. Dendy qualified for the men's triple jump in next week's NCAA Outdoors Championships.

Sports

Gators pick up 11 victories in Fayetteville

By GORDON STREISAND< | Apr. 27, 2013

At its second-to-last meet of the regular season, Florida’s track and field team shined.

Sophomore Zack Powers is congratulated by teammates at home plate after hitting his second grand slam during Florida’s 16-5 win against Duke on Feb. 17 at McKethan Stadium.

Sports

Florida takes game from Tennessee in extras

By JOSH JURNOVOY< | Apr. 27, 2013

After two straight games where the Florida lineup put the game out of reach early, it looked like the pitching staff would have to win the game on Saturday night.

Sports

Gushue hitting stride in second season

By ADAM PINCUS< | Apr. 27, 2013

Taylor Gushue pointed to the Florida dugout as McKethan Stadium awoke from its Saturday night slumber. The sophomore catcher gave Florida a 1-0 lead on a double down the left-field line to score Casey Turgeon from first base.