Sports - The Independent Florida Alligator

Coach Tim Walton signals to a base runner during Florida’s 3-1 victory against Auburn on April 14, 2012 at Katie Seashole Pressly Stadium. Walton has started freshman Taylor Schwarz at first base in every Southeastern Conference game.

SPORTS | SOFTBALL

Florida drops first game of season

By ADAM LICHTENSTEIN | Feb. 22, 2013

The Gators’ second game on Friday went longer than most baseball games.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS LACROSSE

Florida thrashes UC Davis in early blowout

Feb. 22, 2013

Florida had Friday night’s game all but clinched prior to halftime.

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 | OTHER SPORTS TRACK

Gators eying another SEC crown

By GORDON STREISAND< | Feb. 21, 2013

Sophomore Taylor Burke hopes to continue her torrid pace heading into the 2013 Southeastern Conference Indoor Championships this weekend in Fayetteville, Ark.

Mackenzie Caquatto performs on the beam during UF’s 196.575-190.55 win against Ball State on Jan. 4 in the O’Connell Center.

SPORTS | GYMNASTICS

Junior sharpening leadership skills through teaching

By CHUCK KINGSBURY< | Feb. 21, 2013

When Mackenzie Caquatto isn’t balancing handstands or posting perfect scores on bars, she’s teaching the alphabet.

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 | SOFTBALL

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 | OTHER SPORTS TENNIS

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 | OTHER SPORTS TENNIS

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 | MEN'S BASKETBALL

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.

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

SPORTS | MEN'S BASKETBALL

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 | SOFTBALL

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 | OTHER SPORTS LACROSSE

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 | MEN'S BASKETBALL

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.

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 | BASEBALL

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 | GYMNASTICS

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 | WOMEN'S BASKETBALL

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 | GYMNASTICS

Freshman performing better in road meets

By CHUCK KINGSBURY< | Feb. 18, 2013

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

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

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 | OTHER SPORTS SWIM AND DIVE

UF swimming aims to win SEC meet

By ROBERT JUDIN< | Feb. 18, 2013

The Gators are trying to get over the hump.

Freshman guard Michael Frazier II (20) reacts after a play during Florida’s 75-36 win against South Carolina on Jan. 30 in the O’Connell Center.

SPORTS | MEN'S BASKETBALL

Florida facing stronger Missouri squad in rematch on road

By KATIE AGOSTIN | Feb. 18, 2013

The last time Florida played Missouri, the game got ugly. UF cruised to an 83-52 blowout on Jan. 19.

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

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS TENNIS

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.