Sports - The Independent Florida Alligator

Florida Gators alternate white football helmet.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Three-star wide receiver commits to Florida

By Faith Buckley | May 9, 2021

Florida picked up another three-star Sunday in wide receiver Isaiah Bond.

Ricky Castillo tees off from the 13th hole of the Seminole Golf Club Sunday. (Chris Keane/USGA)

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS GOLF

Castillo stays healthy and shines in Walker Cup

By Joseph Henry | May 9, 2021

Ricky Castillo goes 4-0 in Juno Beach and contributes to Team USA retaining the Walker Cup.

Florida catcher Julia Cottrill prepares to swing against Louisville on February 27.

SPORTS | SOFTBALL

Julia Cottrill lost a tooth but grabbed the SEC regular-season crown

By Julianna Reichenbach | May 9, 2021

Immediately after a walk-off victory, Julia Cottrill may not have received a visit from the Tooth Fairy, but she does get to hold up the SEC Championship banner.

Ben Shelton celebrates against USF. The Gators took down the Bulls to advance to the Sweet 16.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS TENNIS

Gators outclass Bulls in singles, win 4-1

By Ryan Zehnder | May 9, 2021

Gators outclass Bulls in singles, win 4-1 and advance to the Sweet 16.

Sophomore Marina Escobar hits a drive at the Gators Invitational in February. The Gators are set to compete at the NCAA Regionals in Stanford, California, this week.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS GOLF

Gators set to tee it up in California

By Joseph Henry | May 9, 2021

The Florida women’s golf team begins play in the NCAA Regionals Monday morning.

Junior Marlee Zein and senior McCartney Kessler against Arkansas on March 14, 2021. The Gators overcame the Mississippi State Bulldogs Sunday afternoon.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS TENNIS

Women’s tennis team falls to USC, ends season 13-8

By Ryan Zehnder | May 8, 2021

Florida women’s tennis falls to USC 4-1, ends season at 13-8.

Ben Shelton on Feb. 21, 2021 against Auburn. Shelton announced his decision to forgo his remaining collegiate eligibility and turn pro Tuesday.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS TENNIS

Gators sweep Jaguars, move on to Round of 32

By Ryan Zehnder | May 8, 2021

Gators sweep Jaguars in first round of the NCAA tournament and will play USF in the round of 32 Sunday.

Charla Echols, Hannah Adams and Kendyl Lindaman celebrate at home plate.

SPORTS | SOFTBALL

Florida drops three bombs in win over Texas A&M

By Julianna Reichenbach | May 8, 2021

“Dropped the Bomb on Me” rang out three times today as Charla Echols, Cheyenne Lindsey, and Hannah Adams each hit a ball out of Katie Seashole Pressly Stadium Saturday afternoon.

Southpaw Hunter Barco pitches against Jacksonville on March 14

SPORTS | BASEBALL

Hunter Barco strikes out Wildcats, Gators win series

By Jesse Richardson | May 8, 2021

Southpaw Hunter Barco only allowed two hits Saturday and struck out ten batters as Florida baseball shut out Kentucky to win the series.

The Gators dominated the Temple Owls en route to their seventh straight AAC title.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS LACROSSE

Gators lacrosse defeats Temple to claim AAC Championship

By Karina Wilson | May 8, 2021

Led by attacker Brianna Harris, the No. 7 Gators drowned the Temple Owls to win the AAC Championship.

Charla Echols fields a ball against Alabama on April 17. Echols won the game in walk-off fashion with a three-run home run Friday.

SPORTS | SOFTBALL

Gators fight to keep SEC championship hopes alive

By Julianna Reichenbach | May 7, 2021

Hannah Adams has been clutch all season for the Gators. Tonight, she passed the baton to stars Charla Echols and Katie Chronister, who ended the game in walk-off fashion, once again.

Florida outfielder Kendrick Calilao watches a ball he hit against Jacksonville on March 14. Calilao tied Friday's game in the eighth inning before he struck the winning home run in the ninth.

SPORTS | BASEBALL

Kendrick Calilao saves Gators in final hour

By Ryan Haley | May 7, 2021

In the eighth inning, Kendrick Calilao singled to tie the game. In the top of the ninth, he hit a ball a whole lot farther.

Senior Grace Haus runs down the field in Florida's win over Cincinnati on May 6. The Gators look to take home the AAC Championship Saturday against Temple.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS LACROSSE

Florida lacrosse to take on Temple in AAC Championship

By Karina Wilson | May 7, 2021

The No. 7 Gators prepare to take on the Temple Owls in the AAC Championship.

Freshman Ben Shelton against Auburn on Feb. 21. The Gators kick off the NCAA Tournament Saturday against South Alabama.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS TENNIS

Top-seeded Gators host South Alabama to kick off NCAA tournament

By Ryan Zehnder | May 7, 2021

Top-ranked Gators men’s tennis play host to South Alabama to kick off postseason tournament.

Florida softball looks to clinch a share of the SEC Championship this weekend against Texas A&M

SPORTS | SOFTBALL

SEC Championship in Gator softball’s sights

By Julianna Reichenbach | May 7, 2021

The Florida Gators softball team can win a share of the SEC title with Arkansas this weekend against the visiting Aggies. What must they do to earn this title? Find out here.

Annabell Fuller (pictured), Maisie Filler and Lauren Waidner were honored by the SEC Friday. Courtesy of the UAA.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS GOLF

Three Gators Earn SEC Honors

By Joseph Henry | May 7, 2021

Three members of the UF women’s golf team were recognized by the SEC Friday.

Third baseman Kirby McMullen in the infield against Jacksonville on March 14.

SPORTS | BASEBALL

Gators fall after defensive collapse in the eighth

By Jesse Richardson | May 7, 2021

No. 10 Florida baseball committed three errors and surrendered 14 hits on Thursday night to lose the first meeting against Kentucky.

2021 AAC Midfielder of the Year Shannon Kavanagh, pictured in grey, passes down the field against Cincinnati in the conference semifinal on May 6. Kavanagh scored her 200th goal during the game.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS LACROSSE

Gators lacrosse advances to AAC Championship

By Karina Wilson | May 6, 2021

No. 7 Florida lacrosse advanced to the championship with a 19-6 win over Cincinnati and awaits the winner of the Temple-Vanderbilt semifinal.

Freshman Joe Pagdin practices at Mark Bostick Golf Course. Pagdin was awarded SEC Freshman of the Year Friday.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS GOLF

Gators head to Washington for NCAA Regionals

By Joseph Henry | May 6, 2021

Florida will travel to Washington to compete in the NCAA Regionals from May 17 to 19.

Sam Riffice returns a ball against Auburn on February 21.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS TENNIS

Five Gators to play in NCAA Individual Championships

By Ryan Haley | May 5, 2021

Five Florida men’s tennis players receive the chance to compete for the individual crown after being selected to compete in the 2021 NCAA Men’s Tennis Individual Championships.