Sports | Baseball - The Independent Florida Alligator

Center fielder Nick Horvath hit a three-run homer during Florida's win over FGCU Tuesday night.

SPORTS | BASEBALL

Florida rolls past FGCU behind unlikely contributors

By Morgan McMullen | Apr. 4, 2018

After sweeping No. 8 Vanderbilt at home on Sunday, the No. 1 Gators (26-5, 7-2 SEC) stayed at McKethan Stadium to face off against Florida Gulf Coast on Tuesday. Florida — coming off a 26-run outburst against the Commodores over the three-game series — continued its dominant ways en route to an 8-4 win over the Eagles (22-6).

Right fielder Wil Dalton went 4 for 5 on Friday in Florida's 13-5 win over Columbia at the Gainesville Regional. He nearly hit the cycle but was thrown out sliding into third base.

SPORTS | BASEBALL

Florida’s Jonathan India is getting plenty of attention, but don’t forget about Wil Dalton

By Ethan Bauer | Apr. 3, 2018

Jonathan India gets most of the fanfare. And for good reason.

Florida third baseman Jonathan India extended his hitting streak to 15 games during UF's 8-2 win over Vanderbilt on Sunday. The junior blasted a two-run home run in the bottom of the fourth inning.

SPORTS | BASEBALL

Florida sweeps Vandy, India continues hitting streak

By Morgan McMullen | Apr. 1, 2018

The outcome between No. 2 Florida and No. 8 Vanderbilt on Sunday at McKethan Stadium had become nothing more than a sideshow. Even though it was still a ballgame — just 5-2 in Florida’s favor in the bottom of the fourth — everyone’s focus was solely on UF third baseman Jonathan India.

Catcher JJ Schwarz notched his 214th career RBI Saturday against Vanderbilt.

SPORTS | BASEBALL

Slumping UF hitters break out on Saturday, Gators blow out Commodores for second win of series

By Justin Ahlum | Mar. 31, 2018

The blazing Florida sun finally warmed up the bats of a couple slumping Gators on Saturday afternoon.

Pitcher Brady Singer allowed one run on two hits through seven innings Friday night against No. 8 Vanderbilt.

SPORTS | BASEBALL

Gators undeterred by rain, beat Vandy to open series

By Justin Ahlum | Mar. 31, 2018

Empty seats, wet bleachers and dampened ponchos of anxious Gators fans surrounded the tarp-covered infield at McKethan Stadium. At 6:30, when second-ranked Florida was supposed to begin its first contest of a three-game set against the No. 8 Vanderbilt Commodores, not one player for either team could be seen on the field.

UF third baseman Jonathan India's solo home run jump-started the Gators' offense on a 3-2 win against Jacksonville at the Gainesville Regional. His solo home run was one of three for Florida on the night.

SPORTS | BASEBALL

As Florida’s offense cools, India heats up with No. 8 Vanderbilt coming to town

By Ethan Bauer | Mar. 29, 2018

It wasn’t long ago that Florida’s offense was smacking hits and spitting homers at the same rate you’d see in a video game. It wasn’t long ago that five Gators were hitting over .300. It wasn’t long ago that UF’s entire offense was feared as a national menace.

Right fielder Wil Dalton drove in the winning runs in Florida's 3-1 victory over Missouri on Friday.

SPORTS | BASEBALL

Gators squeak by ‘Noles in second matchup of season

By Morgan McMullen | Mar. 27, 2018

Right fielder Wil Dalton took a modest lead off of second base in the bottom of the fourth inning. After smacking a ball down the left-field line and into the corner, the precious scoring opportunity could’ve been the only one Florida would have for the rest of the game, for all he knew.

Florida catcher JJ Schwarz was 2-for-17 from the plate in the past week.

SPORTS | BASEBALL

Florida baseball team’s over- and underachievers: Week of March 19 to March 25

By Morgan McMullen | Mar. 27, 2018

After winning a three-game series over then-No. 4 Arkansas this past weekend in Gainesville, the No. 2 Gators (21-5, 4-2 SEC) are preparing to face No. 7 Florida State on Tuesday night at 6 in Jacksonville.

Despite allowing a run on three hits, UF relieving pitcher Michael Byrne recorded his first win of the season in Florida's 5-4 win against Arkansas on Sunday. “Michael Byrne is just special,” coach Kevin O’Sullivan said. “He’s just got a different temperament.”

SPORTS | BASEBALL

Florida’s unsung ace leads UF baseball to series win over No. 4 Arkansas

By Ethan Bauer | Mar. 25, 2018

William Shakespeare once compared his beloved to a summer’s day. Michael Byrne’s 2018 season could be compared to something more like a sturdy dam.

UF starting pitcher Brady Singer picked up the win in his final home game as a Gator. The junior was drafted 18th overall by the Kansas City Royals in the MLB Draft on Monday.

SPORTS | BASEBALL

Blaine Knight bests Brady Singer in Arkansas’ win over Florida

By Justin Ahlum | Mar. 23, 2018

At the end of the seventh inning, Arkansas starter Blaine Knight was the first to meet his teammates at the mouth of the Razorbacks’ dugout. After being removed from the game just one out away from completing seven innings of work, his defense got the job done, as it ended Florida’s one-run inning and shut the door on a potential Gators comeback.

Shortstop Deacon Liput was perfect from the plate Tuesday night against USF, going 3-of-3 with three RBIs and scoring two runs.

SPORTS | BASEBALL

Liput finding his swing again ahead of Arkansas series

By Morgan McMullen | Mar. 22, 2018

If Deacon Liput had any doubts hanging over his head coming into Wednesday night’s game against Jacksonville, he let them all blow away with the gusty winds at McKethan Stadium.

Shortstop Deacon Liput was a perfect 4-for-4 from the plate Wednesday night against Jacksonville.

SPORTS | BASEBALL

Every Florida starter records a hit in seven-run win over Jacksonville

By Ethan Bauer | Mar. 22, 2018

The ball seemed to pause in the air, as if painted onto the Carolina-blue, jet exhaust-scarred sky. Then it descended.

Freshman Jordan Butler has allowed six runs in his last 9.1 innings pitched

SPORTS | BASEBALL

Bullpen still seeing moderate struggles through early portion of season

By Justin Ahlum | Mar. 20, 2018

Bright rays of sunshine, a nice breeze and a partly cloudy sky engulfed Gainesville on Tuesday evening, right around the time Florida’s baseball team was supposed to have its first pitch. But a horrendous forecast earlier in the day forced UF to postpone its game against the Jacksonville Dolphins.

Third baseman Jonathan India slugged a two-run home run in Florida 3-1 victory over Auburn on Thursday.

SPORTS | BASEBALL

Over/Under: Florida baseball’s over- and underachievers this week

By Morgan McMullen | Mar. 19, 2018

The No. 2 Gators baseball team went 3-1 over the past week, and the games couldn’t have been much more different from one another.

Florida pitcher Tyler Dyson pitched five innings against South Carolina on Sunday. He allowed two runs on two hits and struck out five Gamecock batters.

SPORTS | BASEBALL

Behind strong pitching, Florida’s baseball team claims SEC-opening series over South Carolina

By Ethan Bauer | Mar. 18, 2018

The ball rocketed off Jacob Olson’s bat like a satellite designed for orbit.

Right fielder Wil Dalton registered the game-winning RBI in UF's 7-6 win over Georgia on Friday night.

SPORTS | BASEBALL

Gamecocks wallop Gators pitchers for 15 runs on Saturday

By Morgan McMullen | Mar. 17, 2018

Gamecocks designated hitter Noah Campbell stared down the barrel of a 6-foot-6 human cannon and didn’t blink. On a 2-2 pitch to lead off the first inning, Campbell took a 94-mph fastball from Florida starting pitcher Jackson Kowar deep to right-center field.

Junior right-hander Brady Singer allowed one run on two hits and struck out seven batters through six innings in Florida's win Friday night.

SPORTS | BASEBALL

Florida baseball powers past South Carolina in SEC opener

By Ethan Bauer | Mar. 16, 2018

Graham Lawson didn’t even look up.

Outfielder/pitcher Andrew Baker has developed a reputation as being one of the funnier players on the Florida roster. But it was the young lefty's faith and family helped guide him through his low points.

SPORTS | BASEBALL

Family, faith and baseball: Andrew Baker’s evolution from little league novice to UF two-way player

By Morgan McMullen | Mar. 15, 2018

Andrew Baker leaned forward with his hands on his knees. He oozed a confidence and swagger that would have made Muhammad Ali blush.

Center fielder Nick Horvath is hitting .345 this year after failing to break the .200 mark in his first two seasons.

SPORTS | BASEBALL

Nick Horvath’s bat coming alive at perfect time for Florida

By Justin Ahlum | Mar. 15, 2018

During the beginning of his career at UF, Gators center fielder Nick Horvath struggled in the batter's box. His average at the plate was below .200.

Florida center fielder Nick Horvath went 3-for-4, notched two RBIs and scored two runs on Tuesday against Florida State in a 12-6 win for the Gators.

SPORTS | BASEBALL

Gators' offense explodes, blows past No. 7 Florida State

By Justin Ahlum | Mar. 13, 2018

Nick Horvath stood tall on second base with his hand on his belt buckle. After the Gators center fielder sent a double to left center field that scored two Gator runners, he whipped out some familiar dance moves.