Sports | Baseball - The Independent Florida Alligator

Second baseman Blake Reese went 7-for-12 (.583) from the plate over Florida's opening-weekend series against Siena. He leads the team in OPS (1.726).

SPORTS | BASEBALL

Florida’s touted pitching was as advertised, but its offense stole the show on opening weekend

By Ethan Bauer | Feb. 19, 2018

Friday is supposed to be Brady Singer’s day, Saturday is supposed to be for Jackson Kowar, and Sunday — Sunday is all about Tyler Dyson. The three titans who form UF’s weekend pitching rotation delivered on making every start about them with solid opening-weekend performances all around. But that was expected.

Sophomore pitcher Tyler Dyson tossed six innings against Siena Sunday afternoon, allowing one earned run.

SPORTS | BASEBALL

Gators demolish Siena in series finale blowout

By Morgan McMullen | Feb. 18, 2018

Sophomore pitcher Tyler Dyson spiked his pitch into the dirt. The ball skipped between the legs of catcher Cal Greenfield and to his right, allowing Siena’s Brendan Conley to advance to third.

Senior catcher and team captain JJ Schwarz notched his first home run of the season Saturday afternoon. He finished 3 for 5 from the plate with three RBIs.

SPORTS | BASEBALL

Florida baseball overcomes early deficit behind consistent hitting and a lucky bounce

By Ethan Bauer | Feb. 17, 2018

Joe Drpich looks more like an offensive lineman than a baseball player.

Junior college transfer Wil Dalton launched his team-leading 16th home run of the season in Florida's 6-4 loss on Tuesday.

SPORTS | BASEBALL

UF’s newcomers make an impact on opening night

By Ethan Bauer | Feb. 16, 2018

It started with a fly ball to right field, hanging in the air for about five or six seconds, carrying nothing but Wil Dalton’s pride.

Junior Brady Singer pitched seven innings and gave up just two hits in Florida's season-opener against Siena.

SPORTS | BASEBALL

Florida’s baseball team thumps Siena 7-1 on opening night to kick off national title defense

By Morgan McMullen | Feb. 16, 2018

After the ceremonial first pitch from 2017 College World Series MVP Alex Faedo, after unveiling the national championship banner on the left field wall, after all the pomp and circumstance of honoring a year coach Kevin O’Sullivan would like to ignore, the Gators offense was bone dry.

Florida's top two pitchers, Brady Singer (above) and Jackson Kowar, could be UF's highest pair of flamethrowers selected in the MLB Draft in program history.

SPORTS | BASEBALL

A PAIR OF ACES: Florida has featured an abundance of elite arms in recent years. This year’s pocket rockets could be the best of them all

By Ethan Bauer | Feb. 16, 2018

Nelson Maldonado is still nursing a lingering arm injury from late last season and will likely start the year as Florida's designated hitter.

SPORTS | BASEBALL

Florida’s baseball team lost some position players to the MLB Draft. Meet their replacements.

By Ethan Bauer | Feb. 6, 2018

There are holes.

Florida catcher/first baseman JJ Schwarz decided to return to school after being selected in the final three rounds of last year's MLB Draft.

SPORTS | BASEBALL

Kevin O'Sullivan: UF baseball "not defending a national championship... It's a different team"

By Ethan Bauer | Jan. 28, 2018

Walk by McKethan Stadium this week and listen. Really listen.

Florida's baseball team celebrates following its 6-1 victory over LSU on June 27, 2017, in Game 2 of the College World Series at TD Ameritrade Park in Omaha, Nebraska.

SPORTS | BASEBALL

Two teams, two trips to the College World Series for Gators baseball and softball

By Dylan Dixon | Aug. 20, 2017

Gators baseball team wins first national championship

Coach Kevin O'Sullivan and the Gators dropped their first home game since March 23 in an 8-4 loss against Jacksonville Tuesday night. “We’ve gotta clean up some mistakes,” O'Sullivan said.

SPORTS | BASEBALL

O'Sullivan honored with Coach of the Year

By Jake Dreilinger | July 27, 2017

One month might have passed since the Florida baseball team won its first national championship, but the Gators are still finding reasons to celebrate.

Ryan Raburn tosses his helmet during the sixth inning of Washington’s 7-0 loss against the Los Angeles Angels on July 19, 2017, at Angel Stadium.

SPORTS | BASEBALL

Raburn placed on bereavement list, Tebow making strides

By Morgan McMullen | July 24, 2017

With the MLB in the heart of its regular season, here’s a look at how several former Gators are faring in the professional ranks.

Tim Tebow is arguably the greatest player in UF history, but should he be judged by his former accolades forever?

SPORTS | BASEBALL

Gators in the MLB: Tebow hitting strong, Puk pitches in All-Star Futures Game

By Jake Dreilinger | July 17, 2017

Since his promotion to the New York Mets Class A-advanced affiliate, the St. Lucie Mets, former Gators quarterback Tim Tebow has been playing well.

Alex Faedo pitches during Florida's 1-0 win against LSU on March 24, 2017, at McKethan Stadium.

SPORTS | BASEBALL

Gators lose seven, add 13 to 2018 roster

By Jake Dreilinger | July 13, 2017

From June 12 to June 14, eight UF baseball players were selected in the 2017 MLB Draft, the first step in their long journeys to the major leagues.

Former Gator Darren O'Day stands on the mound during a Baltimore Orioles game in the 2017 MLB season.

SPORTS | BASEBALL

Gators in the MLB: All-Star Game Edition

By Jake Dreilinger | July 10, 2017

Baltimore Orioles reliever Darren O’Day is the only Gator currently in the MLB that has played in an All-Star Game.

Alex Faedo hoists the NCAA Tournament trophy on Wednesday night during UF’s championship celebration at McKethan Stadium.

SPORTS | BASEBALL

Gators celebrate CWS title with fans

By Jake Dreilinger | June 29, 2017

The UF baseball team held a championship celebration for fans at McKethan Stadium on Wednesday night to commemorate its first ever NCAA title.

Mike Zunino smacks a three-run home run during the Seattle Mariners 10-5 win against the Houston Astros on Sept. 19, 2014.

SPORTS | BASEBALL

Gators in the MLB: Zunino has historic month in Seattle, Tebow and Puk called up

By Jake Dreilinger | June 29, 2017

Former Gator and current Seattle Mariners catcher Mike Zunino has had a month to remember.

Florida's baseball team celebrates following its 6-1 victory over LSU on Tuesday in Game 2 of the College World Series Finals at TD Ameritrade Park in Omaha, Nebraska.

SPORTS | BASEBALL

The first is always the sweetest: Gators finally clinch national championship

By Dylan Dixon | June 29, 2017

As second baseman Deacon Liput shifted to his left, corralled the ground ball and fired it over to first base, Florida’s dugout erupted with cheers like it never had before.

The Florida baseball team celebrates with the national championship following its 6-1 win over LSU in Game 2 of the College World Series Finals on Tuesday in Omaha, Nebraska.

SPORTS | BASEBALL

NATIONAL CHAMPS: Gators win first ever NCAA title in Omaha

By Jake Dreilinger | June 27, 2017

For the first time in program history, the Gators get to dogpile on the pitcher's mound in late June. For the first time, they get to wear the shirts and hats with the words printed on them that puts a satisfying end to their season-long journey.

UF pitcher Brady Singer pitches during Florida's 6-2 loss against Bethune-Cookman on June 4, 2017, at McKethan Stadium.

SPORTS | BASEBALL

Gators win Game 1 of College World Series Finals

By Dylan Dixon | June 26, 2017

Zach Watson did everything he could to catch the ball, breaking into a deep sprint towards the warning track as he stared into the glaring sun.

UF pitcher Alex Faedo pitches during Florida's 1-0 win against LSU on March 24, 2017, at McKethan Stadium.

SPORTS | BASEBALL

Gators bounce back against TCU, advance to CWS Championship series

By Jake Dreilinger | June 25, 2017

Alex Faedo has been here before.