sports - The Independent Florida Alligator

Florida right-handed pitcher Ava Brown subbed in the fifth inning during the Gators’ 8-0 win over UIC, Sunday, Feb. 25, 2024.

Sports

Florida softball's new pitching staff finds early success

By Hailey Hurst | Feb. 26, 2024

During the 2023 season, the Gators softball pitching staff struggled. The staff had a 3.69 ERA, and the team faltered in SEC play, in part due to the pitching. The Gators ranked second-to-last in the category, ahead of Kentucky. In June, the team decided to move on from former pitching coach Mike Bosch, who had been with the team since 2018. To replace Bosch, Florida went with Chelsey Dobbins. Dobbins had been with the University of North Carolina for the past eight years. This season under Dobbins, the staff has found success, recording a 0.48 ERA in the team’s first 17 games.

Florida freshman Adhithya Ganesan (left) rips a backhand with sophomore Tanapatt Nirundorn (right) in the Gators’ 7-0 win against The Citadel on Friday, Jan. 19, 2024.

Sports

Adhithya Ganesan first stepped on campus in January; the freshman is already cracking jokes and succeeding on the court

By Chandler Hawkes | Feb. 26, 2024

In the Gators men’s tennis dual against the University of North Florida Jan. 19, the match to clinch the doubles point was tied at 6-6. The score in the tiebreaker was 5-4 in favor of Florida freshman Adhithya Ganesan and sophomore Tanapatt Nirundorn.

Florida women’s basketball added a new coach to its staff Tuesday, as Jackie Moore was named assistant to the head coach.

Sports

Gators crushed by Bulldogs on the road

By Jack Meyer | Feb. 25, 2024

The Gators (14-12, 5-9 SEC) were defeated by the Bulldogs (12-15, 3-11 SEC) in a 76-60 loss, Sunday afternoon. Georgia took a 22-point lead into the halftime break and went on cruise control for the remainder of the game to swiftly leave Florida in the dust.

Gators outfielder Kendra Falby gets her bat to the ball in the team's win over the University of Illinois Chicago on Sunday, February 25, 2024.

Sports

No. 14 Gators clinch T-Mobile Tournament with Sunday sweep

By Hailey Hurst | Feb. 25, 2024

The No. 14 Florida Gators softball team (15-2) defeated UIC (9-6) 8-0 to sweep the T-Mobile Tournament. Freshman right-handed pitcher Keagan Rothrock continued her start to the season with a smooth 1-2-3 first inning getting three strikeouts on 11 pitches.

Gators baseball left-handed pitcher Jac Caglianone pitches the ball in the team's 12-5 win over Columbia University on Sunday, February 25, 2024.

Sports

Gators finish off series sweep against Columbia

By Luke Adragna | Feb. 25, 2024

The Gators baseball team earned its first weekend series sweep of 2024. Florida outscored Columbia 34-14 over the three-game set and defeated the Lions 12-5 on Sunday.

Freshman Qavia Lopez slams a hit in the Gators women's tennis 6-1 win against Baylor.

Sports

Gators women’s tennis falls short in top-15 matchup against Pepperdine

By Max Bernstein | Feb. 25, 2024

The No. 15 Gators women’s tennis team (4-5) fell short in their fifth consecutive match 5-2, this time against the No. 13 Pepperdine Waves (6-2). However, the Gators’ lone points came from freshmen Malwina Rowinska and Qavia Lopez in singles action.

Freshman Conor Gesing dives in the Gators meet against Florida State, Friday, Jan. 26, 2024.

Sports

Florida earns back-to-back SEC Championship title

By Shaine Davison | Feb. 24, 2024

UF freshman Jonny Marshall placed first in the men’s 200 back, breaking the program’s record with a time of 1:36.68.

Florida baseball freshman right-handed pitcher Liam Peterson shows emotion after escaping a jam in the fourth inning of the team's game against Columbia University on Saturday, February 24, 2024.

Sports

Late offensive rally pushes Gators to series win against Columbia

By Luke Adragna | Feb. 24, 2024

The Gators baseball team used a late offensive rally to win Game 2 and the series over Columbia University.

UF track and field coach Mike Holloway led the men’s team to the indoor national championship and the women’s team to a top-10 ranking.

Sports

Florida track and field finish second at SEC Indoor Championships

By Hannah Getman | Feb. 24, 2024

The Florida men’s and women’s track and field teams both finished second at the SEC Indoor Championships, earning 17 medals during the meet.

Gators softball redshirt senior Skylar Wallace comes through the ball in the team's loss to Oklahoma State on Monday, February 19, 2024.

Sports

Florida increases win streak to six after two Saturday wins

By Hailey Hurst | Feb. 24, 2024

The Gators softball team increased its win streak to six games after earning two more wins at the T-Mobile Tournament on Saturday.

Florida lacrosse graduate student Paisley Eagan looks to pass the ball in the team's exhibition against the Scotland National Team on Wednesday, February 14, 2024.

Sports

Florida lacrosse takes down No. 6 Maryland in overtime

By Lacey Rogers | Feb. 24, 2024

The Gators lacrosse team came back from a five-point deficit to defeat the No. 6 Maryland Terrapins in College Park on Saturday.

Florida's swimming and diving program competed last week in the NCAA National Championships, finishing in 13th place.

Sports

Florida swimming continues to shine on Day 5 of SEC Championships

By Shaine Davison | Feb. 23, 2024

On the second-to-last day of the SEC Championships, Florida broke away from the rest of the conference on the leaderboard, sitting 361.5 points in front on the men’s side and 214.5 on the women’s side

The Florida men's track and field team runs in the Pepsi Florida Relays, Friday, March 31, 2023.

Sports

Florida track and field comes out strong on Day 1 of SEC Indoor Championships

By Hannah Getman | Feb. 23, 2024

Florida track and field comes out strong on Day 1 of SEC Indoor Championships. The Gators had a successful first day with multiple SEC medalists and finals qualifiers.

Gators baseball left-handed pitcher Cade Fisher throws the ball in Florida's 9-5 loss to St. John's University on Friday, February 16, 2024.

Sports

Florida bats roar past Lions

By Luke Adragna | Feb. 23, 2024

The Florida Gators jumped out to a 10-run lead in the first inning and defeated the Columbia Lions 15-6 in Game 1 of their weekend series.

Gators softball pitcher Keagan Rothrock does the Gator chomp before the team's game against Oklahoma State on Monday, February 19, 2024.

Sports

Keagan Rothrock highlights doubleheader with no-hitter in Game 2

By Hailey Hurst | Feb. 23, 2024

The Gators softball team earned two wins Friday and Game 2 was highlighted by a Keagan Rothrock no-hitter.

Junior Leanne Wong excels in her floor routine to earn a 10 and bring home the win for the Gators against LSU, Friday, Feb. 23, 2024.

Sports

No. 5 Gators gymnastics upsets No. 2 LSU in Friday night thriller

By Alyssa Britton-Harr | Feb. 23, 2024

The No. 5 Florida Gators (10-1, 5-1 SEC) upset the No. 2 Louisiana State Tigers (7-3, 4-2 SEC) 198.150-197.950 Friday evening. Florida earned a season-high score of 198.150.

Sophomore Caroline Pennington swims in a relay in the Florida Invitational against Nova Southeastern, Friday, Feb. 2, 2024.

Sports

Florida keeps momentum rolling in day four of SEC championships

By Shaine Davison | Feb. 22, 2024

After yet another day of SEC championships, Florida led in the men’s leaderboard with 893 points while the women’s team led with 765.5 points.

Senior guard Aliyah Matharu shoots a jumpshot in the Gators' 83-69 win against the Bethune-Cookman Wildcats on Thursday, Nov. 9, 2023.

Sports

florida-lights-up-the-scoreboard-in-statement-victory-over-mizzou

By Jack Meyer | Feb. 22, 2024

The Gators (14-11, 5-8 SEC) took home a massive 86-70 victory over the Tigers (11-15, 2-11 SEC) following a pair of bitter losses in the last week.

Senior Victoria Nguyen performs her vault routine in the Gators gymnastics'
Hype Night on Monday, Dec. 4, 2023.

Sports

No. 5 Gators gymnastics set for biggest meet of the season against No. 2 LSU

By Alyssa Britton-Harr | Feb. 22, 2024

Florida and LSU are the only two teams in the SEC continuously in line for the conference championship trophy. With the season coming to a close, UF, LSU and Kentucky are currently tied with 4-1 records.

Florida baseball sophomore Michael Robertson follows through on a swing in the team's 13-4 win over UNF on Wednesday, February 21, 2024.

Sports

Michael Robertson propels Gators baseball over UNF 13-4

By Bennett Solomon | Feb. 21, 2024

Behind a four-hit night from Michael Robertson, the Gators baseball team earned its second win of the season over UNF 13-4.