Sports - The Independent Florida Alligator

Sophomore Alyssa Bache pitches in the Florida Lipton Invitational. Bache surrendered six runs in four innings of work against Ole Miss on Sunday.

SPORTS | SOFTBALL

Florida survives inclement weather to sweep series vs. Ole Miss

By ADAM LICHTENSTEIN< | Mar. 31, 2013

The Gators were well on their way to sweeping Sunday’s doubleheader and the weekend series from the Rebels in Oxford, Miss., on Sunday. Then the rain started.

Freshman Danielle Collins returns a serve during UF’s 7-0 win against USF on Jan. 29 at Linder Stadium. Collins teamed with Olivia Janowicz to win the only doubles match for the Gators on Friday.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS TENNIS

Gators continue winning ways against Razorbacks

By MICHELLE PROVENZANO< | Mar. 31, 2013

Senior Isabelle Lendl chips a shot onto the green. Lendl finished tied for 32nd at the Bryan National Collegiate this weekend.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS GOLF

Florida takes fifth at Bryan National Collegiate

By RJ Schaffer | Mar. 31, 2013

The Florida women’s golf team rebounded after a disastrous first round to finish in fifth place at the Bryan National Collegiate over the weekend.

UF senior Bob van Overbeek returns a volley. Van Overbeek won only his second match since Feb. 3 against Ole Miss on Friday.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS TENNIS

Freshman clinches victory for Florida

By CHRIS KIRSCHNER< | Mar. 31, 2013

Bob van Overbeek sat his second consecutive match against Arkansas, but he wasn’t needed on Sunday.

Michigan guard Trey Burke (3) celebrates with his teammates after making a game-tying three pointer during the second half of Friday's Sweet 16 game against Kansas at Cowboys Stadium in Austin, Texas. The Wolverines defeated the Jayhawks 87-85 in overtime.

SPORTS | MEN'S BASKETBALL

Stopping dynamic guard Burke key to Florida's game plan against Michigan

By LANDON WATNICK< | Mar. 30, 2013

ARLINGTON, Texas – Before Florida warmed up for its contest against FGCU, it witnessed Michigan guard Trey Burke’s late-game heroics against Kansas.

Center Patric Young pulls down a rebound during Florida’s 78-64 win against Minnesota on March 24 in Austin, Texas. Young had surgery to remove a bone spur in his right ankle on Friday.

SPORTS | MEN'S BASKETBALL

Notebook: Young to block dangerous forward

By LANDON WATNICK< | Mar. 30, 2013

ARLINGTON, Texas – When No. 3 seed Florida faces fourth-seeded Michigan on Sunday at 2:20, center Patric Young will have his toughest defensive assignment of the NCAA Tournament.

Junior Eddie Lovett (left) races in the 55m hurdles at the Gator Invitational in the O’Connell Center.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS TRACK

Gators win at three separate meets

By GORDON STREISAND< | Mar. 30, 2013

The Gators ended the Texas Relays with a bang.

Piccio finished her college career Friday with a 75 (+3) in UF's final round of the NCAA Championships. The Gators finished 17th overall.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS GOLF

Florida improves at second day of Bryan National Collegiate

By RJ Schaffer | Mar. 30, 2013

The Gators women’s golf team shot up six spots in the second round of the Bryan National Collegiate on Saturday and put themselves in a tie for sixth after a day of all-around improvement.

Freshman guard Sydney Moss (40) drives to the basket during Florida 69-58 win against Arkansas on Feb. 28 in the O’Connell Center.

SPORTS | WOMEN'S BASKETBALL

Gators advance to WNIT Final Four

By PHIL HEILMAN< | Mar. 30, 2013

Sydney Moss is playing in her first postseason, but the freshman guard looks fully comfortable with the raised stakes.

Senior guard Kenny Boynton (1) takes it to the basket during Florida’s 66-63 loss to Ole Miss in the SEC Tournament final on March 17 at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn. Boynton and the Gators have lost in the Elite Eight each of the last two years.

SPORTS | COLUMNS

Seniors' legacy hinges on Elite Eight

By GREG LUCA< | Mar. 30, 2013

Florida’s season begins on Sunday.

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 | BASEBALL

Bottom of the order provides offense for Florida

By ADAM PINCUS< | Mar. 30, 2013

Jonathon Crawford could tell warming up in the bullpen he’d be in for a gem. He unleashed a plus slider and live fastball from the get-go.

Right-hander Jonathon Crawford throws a pitch during Florida’s 8-2 loss to Florida Gulf Coast on Feb 22 at McKethan Stadium. Selected 20th by the Detroit Tigers in the first round of the MLB Draft on Thursday, Crawford is the highest Florida pitcher taken since John Burke went sixth to the Houston Astros in 1991.

SPORTS | BASEBALL

Junior pitches gem to even series with Ole Miss

By JOSH JURNOVOY< | Mar. 30, 2013

The Gators got what they had been waiting all season for on Saturday: last year’s version of Jonathon Crawford.

Senior attacker Kitty Cullen looks to score against UAlbany on Feb. 24 at Donald R. Dizney Stadium. Cullen scored two goals in her final game for the Gators.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS LACROSSE

Florida drops first game of season to Penn State

Mar. 30, 2013

Florida did not leave Happy Valley, Pa., with a smile on Saturday afternoon.

Guard Mike Rosario celebrates after making a three-point shot during Florida's 62-50 win against Florida Gulf Coast in the NCAA Tournament Sweet 16 on Friday at Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas.

SPORTS | MEN'S BASKETBALL

Florida survives early FGCU run, advances to Elite Eight

By LANDON WATNICK | Mar. 30, 2013

ARLINGTON, Texas – After looking outmatched for most of the first half, Florida snapped out of a shooting slump and amped up its defense against Florida Gulf Coast.

Freshman Jay Carmichael warms up between innings during UF’s 8-2 loss to Florida Gulf Coast on Feb. 22. Carmichael walked four and hit two batters in Florida's 4-3 loss to Ole Miss on Friday.

SPORTS | BASEBALL

Freshman begins series with uncharacteristic start

By JOSH JURNOVOY< | Mar. 29, 2013

Jay Carmichael finally met his match on Friday night.

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 | BASEBALL

Gators force extra innings, fall to Rebels

By ADAM PINCUS< | Mar. 29, 2013

Baseball can be a cruel game. Florida felt its wrath yet again Friday at McKethan Stadium. Baserunning mistakes killed rallies. Two-out baserunners taxed Florida pitchers. Three innings offered opportunities to win the game. Three times the Gators couldn’t come through.