Sports - The Independent Florida Alligator

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Kenny Boynton attempts a shot during Florida’s 69-52 victory against Kentucky on Feb. 12 at the O’Connell Center.

SPORTS | MEN'S BASKETBALL

Three-point shooting key in UF win against Auburn

By LANDON WATNICK | Feb. 17, 2013

Before Saturday’s game, Kenny Boynton remembered what happened at Auburn Arena two seasons ago.

Sophomore first baseman Zack Powers hits the second of his two grand slams during Florida’s 16-5 win against Duke on Sunday at McKethan Stadium. Powers, who missed 2012 with a torn labrum, finished the Gator’ series-clinching victory with nine RBI.

SPORTS | BASEBALL

Sophomore hits two grand slams, helps clinch series

By JOSH JURNOVOY | Feb. 17, 2013

Zack Powers got his mojo back 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

Senior returns to form during first series of final season

By ADAM PINCUS | Feb. 17, 2013

After Sunday’s game ended, clay dotted the right side of Cody Dent’s uniform from his chest to his cleats.

Freshman Bridget Sloan performs her beam routine in Florida’s 197.65-196.025 win against Auburn on Jan. 25 at home.

SPORTS | GYMNASTICS

No. 1 Florida collects third road win of season

By CHUCK KINGSBURY< | Feb. 16, 2013

What Florida accomplished on Saturday evening had not been done in nearly 21 years.

Sophomore second baseman Casey Turgeon throws the ball to first base during Florida’s 4-2 win against Florida Gulf Coast on Mar. 9, 2012, at McKethan Stadium. Turgeon had four hits and three RBI during a 6-4 victory against Indiana on Saturday.

SPORTS | BASEBALL

Turgeon, Gators even series against Blue Devils

By ADAM PINCUS | Feb. 16, 2013

Squirrel struck again for Florida.

Sophomore Alyssa Bache threw a complete game shutout against Savannah State on Saturday.

SPORTS | SOFTBALL

Bache throws shutout; Gators sweep Saturday

By ADAM LICHTENSTEIN | Feb. 16, 2013

Alyssa Bache took the circle against Savannah State for the second consecutive day.

Junior Jonathon Crawford throws a pitch during Florida’s 9-8 victory against NC State in Game 2 of the NCAA Gainesville Super Regional on June 10, 2012, at McKethan Stadium.

SPORTS | BASEBALL

Gators fall to Blue Devils in season opener

By JOSH JURNOVOY | Feb. 15, 2013

The Gators weren’t supposed to have to worry about Friday.

After giving up two easy goals at UNC, junior defender Sam Farrell said the Gators have made defensive adjustments in an effort to improve transition play.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS LACROSSE

Tampa 2 defense paying off for UF

Feb. 14, 2013

Tampa 2 is a defensive football strategy created by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the 1990s. Mixing his lacrosse and football background, Nick Williams formed a deviation of the Tampa 2 to incorporate in lacrosse.

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 ready for tough road tests

By MICHELLE PROVENZANO< | Feb. 14, 2013

Freshmen Danielle Collins and Brianna Morgan will learn first hand how rowdy opposing tennis teams’ fans can get.