sports - The Independent Florida Alligator

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

Gators clinch SEC title

By CHUCK KINGSBURY< | Mar. 23, 2013

In the biggest competition since competing in the 2008 Olympics, Bridget Sloan set the standard on Saturday evening in Little Rock, Ark.

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

Florida sweeps Arkansas with a walk-off home run

By ADAM LICHTENSTEIN< | Mar. 23, 2013

Kelsey Horton kept promising a run for her pitcher.

Senior Brittany Dashiell (22) runs after the ball during Florida’s 18-13 exhibition win against England on Jan. 24 at Dizney Stadium. Dashiell became the first Gator to record 200 career draw controls on Saturday.

Sports

Gators prevail in first conference match

Mar. 23, 2013

Ten minutes into the first half, the Gators found themselves in an unfamiliar position: without a goal on the scoreboard.

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

Florida posts strong results at UCF Invitational and FSU Relays

By GORDON STREISAND< | Mar. 22, 2013

Florida opened its outdoor season with an impressive statistic.

Senior Lauren Embree hits a ball in Linder Stadium. Embree won her singles match against Alabama in straight sets on Friday.

Sports

No. 2 Florida defeats No. 8 Alabama after falling behind early

By MICHELLE PROVENZANO< | Mar. 22, 2013

Sophomore Lauren Haeger (17) swings during an at-bat in Florida’s 6-5 win against Tennessee on March 15 at Katie Seashole Pressly Stadium. Haeger went 2 for 3 with a home run, a double and five walks in Friday's doubleheader against Arkansas.

Sports

Gators outslug Razorbacks in doubleheader

By ADAM LICHTENSTEIN< | Mar. 22, 2013

The Southeastern Conference named Lauren Haeger as one of the league’s players of the week for her performance against No. 8 Tennessee last weekend, but her hot streak has not ended.

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

Florida takes opening game from No. 2 Vanderbilt

By ADAM PINCUS< | Mar. 22, 2013

Friday night started as a showcase of an elite Southeastern Conference pitcher. It ended with the coronation of another.

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

Sports

Florida defeats Alabama on the road

By CHRIS KIRSCHNER< | Mar. 22, 2013

For the first time in over a month, senior Bob van Overbeek experienced the feeling of winning again.

Wide receiver Quinton Dunbar (1) catches the game-tying touchdown during Florida’s 27-20 win against Louisiana on Nov. 10 at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.

Sports

Wide receivers look to improve in second year under Pease

By JOE MORGAN AND PHIL HEILMAN< | Mar. 21, 2013

Quinton Dunbar does not feel threatened by Loucheiz Purifoy practicing at wide receiver during spring practice.

Catcher Taylor Gushue (17) swings during Florida’s 11-5 loss to Kentucky on March 16 at McKethan Stadium. Gushue finished the game 1 for 4 at the plate.

Sports

Florida opens series with No. 2 Vanderbilt tonight

By ADAM PINCUS< | Mar. 21, 2013

The Gators took off for Nashville, Tenn., on Thursday morning for their first Southeastern Conference road matchup this season.

Gymnast Mackenzie Caquatto performs her beam routine during Florida’s 196.975-196.075 win against Kentucky on Feb. 22 in the O’Connell Center.

Sports

Florida’s uneven bars effort to play key role in SEC title meet

By CHUCK KINGSBURY< | Mar. 21, 2013

No. 1 Florida was nearly flawless on the uneven bars in a high-scoring 198.125-197.875 loss to No. 7 Utah on Saturday, a trend that has been consistent this season.