sports - The Independent Florida Alligator

Sophomore shortstop Katie Medina bats during Florida’s 9-1 win against UNC Wilmington on Sunday at Katie Seashole Pressly Stadium. She hit her first career home run on Thursday.

Sports

Shortstop hits first homer in win

By ADAM LICHTENSTEIN | Feb. 21, 2013

In 123 at-bats, Katie Medina had never hit a home run.

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

Sports

Senior struggling in recent skid

By CHRIS KIRSCHNER< | Feb. 21, 2013

Bob van Overbeek’s serve is so powerful that he snapped a net strap this past weekend in the ITA Indoor Championships.

Alexandra Cercone returns a volley. Cercone propelled Florida to a 7-0 victory against South Carolina on Saturday.

Sports

Confident sophomore leading Gators

By MICHELLE PROVENZANO< | Feb. 21, 2013

Alexandra Cercone brings patience and confidence to a high-ranked Florida team this spring season.

Junior guard Scottie Wilbekin attempts a layup during Florida’s 69-52 win against Kentucky on Feb. 12 in the O’Connell Center. Wilbekin said the Gators need to increase their offensive presence in the paint.

Sports

Florida aiming to achieve offensive balance down stretch

By LANDON WATNICK | Feb. 21, 2013

Coach Billy Donovan wants his players to take open shots, regardless of whether their attempts are inside or beyond the arc.

Sports

UF in striking distance heading into third day of SEC Championships

By ROBERT JUDIN< | Feb. 20, 2013

After the second day of the Southeastern Conference Championships, Florida’s men's swimming and diving team finds itself trailing Auburn for first place 417-412.5.

Carlie Needles calls out to her teammates during Florida’s 87-54 victory against Alabama on Feb. 3 in the O’Connell Center.

Sports

Florida struggling down stretch in close contests

Feb. 20, 2013

Three days after losing to No. 13 Georgia on Sunday, coach Amanda Butler silently reminded her squad of its inability to finish games inside the O’Connell Center.

Patric Young attempts a shot during Florida’s 69-52 win against Kentucky on Feb. 12 in the O’Connell Center.

Sports

Frontcourt struggles in defeat

By KATIE AGOSTIN | Feb. 20, 2013

Midway through the first half, center Patric Young set a screen on Missouri’s Earnest Ross for freshman Michael Frazier II.

Lauren Haeger (17) runs home after hitting a game-tying homer during Florida’s 4-3 victory against Charleston Southern on Feb. 17 at Katie Seashole Pressly Stadium.

Sports

Sophomore excelling early

By ADAM LICHTENSTEIN | Feb. 20, 2013

Lauren Haeger has first base covered.

Senior Brittany Dashiell (left) attempts a shot during Florida’s 18-13 exhibition win against England on Jan. 24 at Dizney Stadium. Dashiell and the Gators defeated Stony Brook 16-9 on Wednesday.

Sports

Freshman goalie key in win

Feb. 20, 2013

After a Stony Brook narrowed Florida’s lead to 12-8, coach Amanda O’Leary took a timeout with 19:37 left in the second half.

Coach Billy Donovan instructs his players during Florida’s 69-52 win against Kentucky on Feb. 12 in the O’Connell Center.

Sports

Florida surrenders double-digit lead in road loss to Missouri

By LANDON WATNICK | Feb. 19, 2013

Down by three with 3.1 seconds left, Florida had an opportunity to tie Missouri and send the game into overtime. But guard Mike Rosario’s desperation heave from the left corner couldn’t find the net.

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 holds off UCF rally in road win

By JOSH JURNOVOY | Feb. 19, 2013

ORLANDO — Florida’s lineup was supposed to experience a power outage this season. Home runs would be at a premium, and UF was going to rely heavily on manufacturing runs.

Freshman shortstop Richie Martin attempts to steal third base during Florida’s 16-5 win against Duke on Sunday at McKethan Stadium. Martin left Florida's 6-3 series-clinching win against Miami on Sunday after beating hit by a pitch in the hand.

Sports

Freshman active on base paths in victory

By ADAM PINCUS | Feb. 19, 2013

ORLANDO — Richie Martin doesn’t hit the home runs like his teammates. He doesn’t get sacrifice flies. He didn’t even reach the outfield in half of his at-bats on Tuesday.

UF gymnastics coach Rhonda Faehn's freshmen struggled early in the season.

Sports

Freshman’s season in jeopardy

By CHUCK KINGSBURY< | Feb. 19, 2013

Gymnast Bridgette Caquatto endured several setbacks even before arriving at Florida.

Junior point guard Jaterra Bonds (10) shoots during Florida’s 62-57 loss to Georgia on Feb. 17 in the O’Connell Center. Bonds scored 17 points in Florida's 64-59 victory against Arkansas in the SEC Tournament on Thursday.

Sports

Increased maturity helping junior point guard during trying season

Feb. 19, 2013

Jaterra Bonds was known for her erratic on-court behavior for the Gators last season.

Freshman Bridget Sloan performs her bar routine during Florida's 198.10-196.85 win against Alabama on Feb. 8 in the O'Connell Center. Sloan won the all-around title at the SEC Championship meet on Saturday.

Sports

Freshman performing better in road meets

By CHUCK KINGSBURY< | Feb. 18, 2013

Bridget Sloan had rarely been rooted against before arriving at Florida.

UF senior Lauren Embree returns a volley from Baylor sophomore Ema Burgic during the No. 1 Gators’ 7-0 win against the 15th-ranked Bears on Feb. 2. Embree has won four Southeastern Conference titles at Florida.

Sports

Florida defeats North Carolina in road match

By MICHELLE PROVENZANO< | Feb. 18, 2013

Brianna Morgan led the way for the Gators in Chapel Hill, N.C., on Monday.

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

Sports

Sophomore pitcher rebounding from slow start to 2013

By ADAM LICHTENSTEIN | Feb. 18, 2013

Alyssa Bache’s first inning in 2013 was not her finest hour.

UF associate head coach Anthony Nesty (right) watches during Florida’s dual-meet sweep against Tennessee on Feb. 1 in the O’Connell Center. Nesty said the Gators need to excel in relays to win the SEC championship.

Sports

UF swimming aims to win SEC meet

By ROBERT JUDIN< | Feb. 18, 2013

The Gators are trying to get over the hump.

Kitty Cullen attempts a shot during Florida's 14-7 win against Northwestern on May 5 at Dizney Stadium.

Sports

UF working to eliminate slow starts despite successful rallies

Feb. 18, 2013

Following a 13-7 win against High Point, coach Amanda O’Leary pointed out a statistic Florida should note.

Olivia Janowicz prepares to return a serve in a match against Duke in 2011.

Sports

Blue Devils snap Gators’ 25-match winning streak

By MICHELLE PROVENZANO< | Feb. 17, 2013

After Olivia Janowicz and Danielle Collins dropped the first doubles match to Duke’s Monica Turewicz and Hanna Mar 8-4, Florida could not get back on track.