Sports | Baseball - The Independent Florida Alligator

Florida pitcher Cade Fisher walks to the dugout during the Gators' 7-1 win over Texas Tech Sunday, June 4, 2023.

SPORTS | BASEBALL

Fisher tosses gem, Gators set for regional finale against Texas Tech

By Luke Adragna | June 4, 2023

The No. 2 Florida Gators (47-14, 20-10 SEC) defeated the Texas Tech Red Raiders (41-22, 12-12 Big XII) 7-1 Sunday in the National Collegiate Athletic Association Gainesville regional. Florida freshman left-hander Cade Fisher surrendered one run in seven innings to help advance the Gators to the regional finale Monday.

Florida pitcher Hurston Waldrep celebrates during the Gators' 8-2 win against UConn Sunday, June 4, 2023.

SPORTS | BASEBALL

Gators stay afloat against UConn

By Luke Adragna | June 4, 2023

The No. 2 Florida Gators (46-15, 20-10 SEC) defeated the No. 10 Connecticut Huskies (44-17, 15-5 Big East) 8-2 Sunday at Condron Family Ballpark.

Florida starting pitcher Brandon Sproat delivers a pitch during the Gators' 5-4 loss to Texas Tech Saturday, June 3, 2023.

SPORTS | BASEBALL

Gators fall to Texas Tech, face elimination in Gainesville regional

By Luke Adragna | June 4, 2023

The Florida Gators (45-15, 20-10 SEC) were defeated by the Texas Tech Red Raiders (40-21, 12-12 Big XII) 5-4 Saturday at Condron Family Ballpark.

Florida sophomore pitcher Jac Caglianone stands on the mound during the Gators' 3-0 win against Florida A&M Friday, June 2, 2023.

SPORTS | BASEBALL

Florida overcomes sluggish offense, defeats Florida A&M in NCAA regional opener

By Luke Adragna | June 2, 2023

The No. 2 Florida Gators (45-14, 20-10 SEC) defeated the Florida A&M Rattlers (29-29, 18-12 SWAC) 3-0 Friday in the opening round of the National Collegiate Athletic Association Gainesville regional.

Florida pitcher Brandon Sproat throws the ball to first baseman Jac Caglianone during the Gators' 10-0 win against Vanderbilt Friday, May 12, 2023.

SPORTS | BASEBALL

Gators’ road to Omaha begins at Gainesville Regional

By Jackson Castellano | June 1, 2023

No. 2 Florida (44-14, 20-10 SEC) will host No. 10 UConn (43-15, 15-5 Big East), Texas Tech (39-21, 12-12 Big XII) and Florida A&M (29-28, 18-12 SWAC) at the NCAA Gainesville Regional starting Friday.

Jac Caglianone rounds the bases during Florida's 10-0 win against Vanderbilt Friday, May 12, 2023.

SPORTS | BASEBALL

Gators prepare for NCAA tournament after SEC semifinals loss

By Luke Adragna | May 30, 2023

The No. 2 Florida Gators (44-14, 20-10 SEC) were eliminated from the SEC tournament by the No. 8 Vanderbilt Commodores (40-18, 19-11 SEC) 11-6 Saturday at Hoover Metropolitan Stadium in Hoover, Alabama.

Florida sophomore Jac Caglianone looks over the shoulders of Vanderbilt players during the Gators' 10-0 victory against the Commodores Friday, May 12, 2023.

SPORTS | BASEBALL

Gators conclude SEC Tournament run in loss to Vanderbilt

By Luke Adragna | May 27, 2023

The No. 1 seed Florida Gators (44-14, 20-10 SEC) were defeated by the Vanderbilt Commodores (40-18, 19-11 SEC) 11-6 Saturday at Hoover Metropolitan Stadium in Hoover, Alabama. Florida’s rough start led to its elimination from the Southeastern Conference Tournament.

Florida catcher BT Riopelle flips his bat during the Gators' 10-0 win against Vanderbilt Friday, May 12, 2023.

SPORTS | BASEBALL

Gators advance to SEC Tournament semifinals behind Riopelle’s surge

By Luke Adragna | May 26, 2023

The No. 1 seed Florida Gators (43-13, 20-10 SEC) defeated the No. 4 seed Vanderbilt Commodores (38-17, 19-11) 6-3 Thursday at Hoover Metropolitan Stadium in Hoover, Alabama. Riopelle hit his second and third home runs of the tournament to advance the Gators to the semifinal round Saturday.

Florida catcher BT Riopelle celebrates his three-run home run with the Gators during their 13-3 win against the Charleston Southern Buccaneers Friday, Feb. 17, 2023.

SPORTS | BASEBALL

BT Riopelle blasts miracle shot, leads Gators to walk-off win in SEC Tournament opener

By Luke Adragna | May 25, 2023

The No. 1 seed Florida Gators (43-13, 20-10 SEC) defeated the No. 9 seed Alabama Crimson Tide (39-18, 16-14 SEC) 7-6 in the Gators’ Southeastern Conference tournament opener Wednesday at Hoover Metropolitan Stadium in Hoover, Alabama. Florida trailed 6-3 in the 11th inning before Riopelle hit the game-deciding blast.

Gators freshman Cade Kurland throws during Florida's 10-0 victory against Vanderbilt Friday, May 12, 2023.

SPORTS | BASEBALL

Gators secure SEC title in regular-season finale against Kentucky

By Luke Adragna | May 22, 2023

The No. 4 Gators (42-13, 20-10 SEC) defeated the No. 19 Wildcats (36-17, 16-14 SEC) 5-2 May 20 to secure the series at Kentucky Proud Park in Lexington, Kentucky. Florida secured its 16th SEC championship with the win.

Florida sophomore two-way player Jac Caglianone celebrates with his teammates during the Gators' 10-0 win against Vanderbilt Friday, May 12, 2023.

SPORTS | BASEBALL

Florida touts strong outing from Caglianone, wins regular season finale

By Luke Adragna | May 20, 2023

The No. 4 Florida Gators (42-13, 20-10 SEC) defeated the No. 19 Kentucky Wildcats (36-17, 16-14 SEC) 5-2 Saturday at Kentucky Proud Park in Lexington, Kentucky.

Brandon Sproat pitching against Miami Feb. 21, 2021. Courtesy of the SEC Media Portal. Sproat will start on the mound for Florida's first-round matchup with Central Michigan.

SPORTS | BASEBALL

Florida unable to clinch series against Kentucky

By Luke Adragna | May 19, 2023

The No. 4 Florida Gators (41-13, 19-10 SEC) were defeated by the No. 19 Kentucky Wildcats (36-16, 16-13 SEC) 6-4 Friday evening at Kentucky Proud Park in Lexington, Kentucky. The Gators mustered only five hits to Kentucky’s pitching staff which was able to strike out Florida fourteen times.

Florida outfielder Wyatt Langford hits the ball in the Gators' 10-4 win over the Miami Hurricanes March 3, 2023.

SPORTS | BASEBALL

Florida bats break out against Kentucky in series opener

By Luke Adragna | May 18, 2023

The No. 4 Florida Gators (41-12, 19-9 SEC) defeated the No. 19 Kentucky Wildcats (35-16, 15-13 SEC) 10-3 Thursday at Kentucky Proud Park in Lexington, Kentucky. Florida’s offense was headlined by Langford and Kurland who earned three hits and runs each.

Jac Caglianone pitches during Florida’s 6-2 win against Vanderbilt Sunday, May 14, 2023.

SPORTS | BASEBALL

Gators dismantle Vanderbilt in weekend series, idealize playoff picture

By Luke Adragna | May 15, 2023

The No. 7 Florida Gators (40-12, 18-9 SEC) defeated Vanderbilt (35-16, 17-10 SEC) 6-2 May 14th to complete the series sweep at Condron Family Ballpark, drastically improving their outlook in the SEC baseball tournament and National Collegiate Athletic Association tournament.

Florida infielders Cade Kurland and Josh Rivera shake hands during the Gators' 6-2 win against Vanderbilt Saturday, May 13, 2023.

SPORTS | BASEBALL

Florida breaks through delay, takes series against Vanderbilt

By Jackson Castellano | May 13, 2023

No. 7 Florida (39-12, 17-9 SEC) defeated No. 5 Vanderbilt (35-14, 17-9 SEC) 6-2 Saturday to take the series at home. The Gators’ pitching staff combined for 11 strikeouts while allowing just two runs from the Commodores.

Florida sophomore infielder Deric Fabian celebrates his home run during the Gators' 10-0 victory against Vanderbilt Friday, May 12, 2023.

SPORTS | BASEBALL

No. 7 Florida routs No. 5 Vanderbilt in series opener

By Luke Adragna | May 12, 2023

The No. 7 Florida Gators (38-12, 16-9 SEC) took game one of the weekend series against the No. 5 Vanderbilt Commodores (35-14, 17-8 SEC) 10-0 Friday at Condron Family Ballpark. Florida finished the matchup in seven innings of work when sophomore two-way star Jac Caglianone drove in two runs in the final inning to secure the victory for UF.

Florida pitcher Ryan Slater walks off the field in the Gators' 5-3 win against the Florida State Seminoles Tuesday, April 11, 2023.

SPORTS | BASEBALL

Florida drops series to Texas A&M

By Topher Adams | May 7, 2023

The No. 4 Florida Gators (37-12, 15-9 SEC) fell 3-2 to the Texas A&M Aggies (28-20, 11-13 SEC) Sunday afternoon in College Station, Texas. The loss secured UF’s second Southeastern Conference series loss of the season.

Florida pitcher Tyler Nesbitt tries to tag the runner in the Gators' 14-11 loss to the Georgia Bulldogs Friday, April 14, 2023.

SPORTS | BASEBALL

Florida gives up season-high 15 runs in blowout

By Topher Adams | May 6, 2023

The No. 4 Florida Gators (37-11, 15-8 SEC) fell 15-2 to the Texas A&M Aggies (27-20, 9-14 SEC) Saturday night. It was Florida’s third run-rule loss of the season, and the most runs allowed by the Gators this season.

Florida catcher BT Riopelle swings his bat during the Gators' 2-1 win against the Georgia Bulldogs Saturday, April 15, 2023.

SPORTS | BASEBALL

Neely delivers to take first game against Aggies

By Topher Adams | May 5, 2023

The No. 4 Florida Gators (37-10, 15-7 SEC) defeated the Texas A&M Aggies (26-20, 9-13 SEC) Friday night in College Station, Texas. Senior catcher BT Riopelle led the way for UF with a pair of home runs, and Neely picked up his 10th save of the season.

UF pitcher Jac Caglianone swings hit bat during Florida's 2-1 win against the Georgia Bulldogs Saturday, April 15, 2023.

SPORTS | BASEBALL

Caglianone ties UF single-season home run record in Gators’ win over Seminoles

By Ethan Eibe | May 2, 2023

Caglianone’s power gave No. 4 Florida (36-10, 14-7 SEC) the edge in its 7-5 win over the Florida State Seminoles (15-28, 6-18 ACC) to wrap up non-conference play. Florida swept the season series with FSU and has won 22 of its last 26 games against their in-state rival.