Sports | Baseball - The Independent Florida Alligator

Jonathon Crawford celebrates after pitching a no-hitter against Bethune-Cookman on June 1 at McKethan Stadium.

SPORTS | BASEBALL

Florida weighing options at closer

By ADAM PINCUS | Jan. 31, 2013

Florida baseball was a sure thing last season.

Josh Tobias throws the ball to first base during Florida’s 9-8 win against N.C. State in Game 2 of the NCAA Super Regional on June 10 at McKethan Stadium. Against Georgia on Friday, Tobias notched Florida's only RBI of the match on a ground-rule double.

SPORTS | BASEBALL

Outfield spots currently unsettled for Gators

By JOSH JURNOVOY | Jan. 29, 2013

Josh Tobias and Vickash Ramjit know they’ll see the field for Florida this season. They know they’ll be starting, too.

UF coach Kevin O'Sullivan watches from outside the dugout during the Gators' 9-7 loss to Southern Miss. in game one of NCAA Super Regional play in McKethan stadium Saturday, June 6, 2009. O'Sullivan and the Gators were eliminated from the 2014 NCAA Tournament in the regional round on Saturday.

SPORTS | BASEBALL

Youthful Gators playing ‘small ball’ in 2013

By ADAM PINCUS | Jan. 27, 2013

This isn’t your typical Florida baseball team.

UF outfielder Tyler Thompson rounds the bases after his homerun during the Gators' 13-9 win against Kentucky in McKethan Stadium on Saturday, May 17, 2009. (Andrew Stanfill / Alligator Staff)

SPORTS | BASEBALL

Senior Thompson leaves Florida baseball team

By ADAM PINCUS | Jan. 9, 2013

After losing nine players to the MLB draft, UF coach Kevin O’Sullivan can add Tyler Thompson to the list of players the Gators must replace this season.

Mike Zunino bats against North Carolina State during the NCAA Super Regional on June 10. In the Gators’ 9-8 victory against the Wolfpack, Zunino went 2 for 4 with a run scored and one RBI. The win sent Florida to the College World Series.

SPORTS | BASEBALL

Zunino beginning pro career in Single A

By The Associated Press | July 4, 2012

SEATTLE — At this point, Mike Zunino just wants to get through the whirlwind of being honored for his college career so his pro career can begin.

Florida's Brian Johnson yells after lining out to South Carolina right fielder Adam Matthews in the seventh inning of an NCAA College World Series baseball game in Omaha, Neb., Saturday, June 16, 2012.

SPORTS | BASEBALL

Johnson's slow start, errors sink Florida against South Carolina

By JOE MORGAN | June 16, 2012

The third time against Brian Johnson proved to be the charm for South Carolina.

Greg Larson pitches against North Carolina State in the first game of the NCAA Super Regional on June 9. The senior pitcher has been to the College World Series three times during his career at Florida.

SPORTS | BASEBALL

Florida faces familiar foe in College World Series opener

By JOE MORGAN | June 13, 2012

After losing to South Carolina in the College World Series final last June, Florida has had the two-time defending national champions’ number this season.

Josh Tobias celebrates after scoring a run in the top of the ninth against North Carolina State Sunday. Tobias drove in the eventual winning run for Florida in the 10th frame.

SPORTS | BASEBALL

Tobias, freshmen prove clutch in Gators' return to College World Series

By JOE MORGAN | June 11, 2012

The Gators’ roster boasts nine new MLB prospects, but Florida relied on more than its highly-regarded upperclassmen to advance to a third straight College World Series.

Mike Zunino bats in the seventh inning just before the first rain delay against N.C. State on Saturday. Zunino completed the at-bat with a home run two hours and three minutes later.

SPORTS | BASEBALL

Rain delays plague Gators' NCAA Super Regional sweep

By ADAM PINCUS< | June 11, 2012

With a potential third-straight Omaha appearance on the line, the top-ranked Gators received a bit of help from the dark clouds hovering above McKethan Stadium.

Keenan Kish celebrates after striking out Chris Diaz of North Carolina State to win the Super Regional game Sunday. Kish is scheduled to start against North Florida on Tuesday.

SPORTS | BASEBALL

Gators advance to third straight College World Series

By JOE MORGAN | June 10, 2012

When Keenan Kish struck out Chris Diaz looking to send the Gators to their third straight College World Series, the on-field scene played out like he imagined. Kish was at the bottom of the pile.

Josh Tobias throws to first base against Georgia Tech on June 3, 2012, at McKethan Stadium.

SPORTS | BASEBALL

Strong defensive effort helps No. 1 Gators advance

By JOE MORGAN | June 4, 2012

With Jonathon Crawford’s no-hit bid on the line, Carlos Delgado lined a 3-2 pitch right at Casey Turgeon.

Catcher Mike Zunino homers to center field against Georgia Tech. His solo shot gave the Gators a 2-1 lead in the fourth inning en route to a 6-2 win.

SPORTS | BASEBALL

Zunino leads Florida to a win against Georgia Tech

By JOE MORGAN | June 2, 2012

Mike Zunino was happy to lead off the top of the fourth inning. After a testy latter half of the third, the junior catcher wanted to give the Gators an emotional edge.

Closer Austin Maddox pitches against LSU on April 5. Vanderbilt stole six bases with Maddox on the mound against Florida on May 26

SPORTS | BASEBALL

UF struggling to prevent stolen bases

By JOE MORGAN | May 30, 2012

Needing just three outs to advance to the Southeastern Conference Tournament final, Gators closer Austin Maddox took the mound.

Brian Johnson pitches against Florida Gulf Coast on March 10. He threw his first career complete game against South Carolina on Saturday.

SPORTS | BASEBALL

UF falls in SEC semis, earns No. 1 seed

By JOE MORGAN | May 28, 2012

After a lengthy stay in Alabama, the Gators will be home for a while.

SPORTS | BASEBALL

Vandy uses triple steal to down Florida baseball in SEC Tourney semifinal

May 26, 2012

Vanderbilt shortstop Anthony Gomez stole home in the top of ninth, but he took more than just another run from Florida.

Jonathon Crawford throws against Arkansas on April 29. Crawford lowered his ERA to 3.34 after giving up one unearned run in 5.2 innings against Auburn on Tuesday.

SPORTS | BASEBALL

Crawford dominates in Gators’ SEC Tourney opener

By JOE MORGAN | May 23, 2012

Florida’s bats have returned to form, but Jonathon Crawford did not take that for granted against Auburn.

Steven “Paco” Rodriguez gave up three earned runs in one inning against Auburn on Sunday. He has a 2.17 ERA this season.

SPORTS | BASEBALL

Florida fails to claim share of SEC regular season title

By JOE MORGAN | May 21, 2012

Steven “Paco” Rodriguez and Austin Maddox have been nearly unhittable out of the Gators’ bullpen this season. The duo has combined for a 1.82 ERA, a .193 batting average against and 15 saves in 103.1 innings pitched.

Mike Zunino (right) celebrates his home run in the eighth inning with Brian Johnson on Sunday. The solo shot was Zunino's team-leading 13th of the season.

SPORTS | BASEBALL

Zunino homers, bullpen dominant in win against Mississippi State

By JOE MORGAN | May 13, 2012

Seventeen pitches and a Mike Zunino home run are all Austin Maddox needed to earn his third victory of the season.

SPORTS | BASEBALL

Whitson, bullpen dominant in series-clinching win against Kentucky

May 5, 2012

Karsten Whitson has finally returned to form.

SPORTS | BASEBALL

Florida's bats silent in rubber match loss to Arkansas

By TOM GREEN | Apr. 29, 2012

The Gators did everything they could Sunday to look for offense, but they left the field still searching for answers as Florida continued its midseason slump, and Arkansas continued to prove why its pitching staff is tops in the Southeastern Conference.