Sports - The Independent Florida Alligator

SPORTS | RECRUITING

Gators land four-star offensive tackle

By Faith Buckley | Mar. 13, 2021

The Gators acquire four-star offensive tackle Tony Livingston for 2022.

UF pitcher Tommy Mace (left) speaking with coach Kevin O’Sullivan (middle) and catcher Brady Smith (right) during the UM series last year.

SPORTS | BASEBALL

Desperate Florida rally comes up a run short

By Ryan Haley | Mar. 12, 2021

A pair of two-run homers in the ninth inning weren’t enough for the Gators, who fell to Jacksonville 10-9 in the series opener.

Senior Duarte Vale at day four of the ITA Tournament in Gainesville last year. He paired with Sam Riffice to earn a 6-4 doubles victory Friday.

SPORTS | BASEBALL

Nothing but wins for Florida tennis

By Jesse Richardson | Mar. 12, 2021

The women’s team dominates at Linder Stadium while the men continue their win streak.

Florida softball huddles in a Feb. 20 matchup against Charlotte.

SPORTS | SOFTBALL

Florida softball’s first SEC win comes against Kentucky

By Rachel Slay | Mar. 12, 2021

Florida broke Kentucky’s 19-game win streak Friday in the first game of conference play.

Mann played a nearly perfect second half with 28 points on 7-11 shooting.
Photo from UF-Mizzou game March 4.

SPORTS | MEN'S BASKETBALL

Gators bow out of SEC Tournament with loss to Tennessee

By Declan Walsh | Mar. 12, 2021

An 8-2 Volunteer run restored their 17-point advantage and buried the Gators for good.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS LACROSSE

Florida lacrosse earns three spots on the 2021 Tewaaraton Watch List

By Karina Wilson | Mar. 12, 2021

Three Gators received bids to the Tewaaraton Watch List in its 20th year. Florida boasts 17 players who earned 33 Tewaaraton nominations in the program's 12-year history.

Lindsey Ronbeck scored five goals and one assist in the Florida lacrosse team's 32-1 win over Scotland on Saturday.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS LACROSSE

Gators lacrosse heads to Jacksonville

By Karina Wilson | Mar. 12, 2021

The Gators head north to take on the Jacksonville Dolphins Saturday afternoon. UF holds a 9-0 record against Jacksonville.

Middle blocker Lauren Dooley leads the team in blocks/set at 1.2.

SPORTS | VOLLEYBALL

Florida surges back to beat Missouri in five sets

By Zachary Huber | Mar. 12, 2021

No. 25 Missouri backed No. 7 Florida to the wall with nowhere to run after it won the first two sets. The Gators surged back to take three-straight sets to win the match 3-2.

Florida’s 3-1 win against Georgia Southern Thursday night marked Burleigh's last home game as she retires at the season’s end. Photo from UF-Georgia Southern game.

SPORTS | SOCCER

Florida beats Georgia Southern 3-1 in Burleigh’s final home game

By Myles Herbert | Mar. 12, 2021

Florida's 3-1 win against Georgia Southern Thursday night marked her last home game as she retires at the season's end.

The gift of a season and the ability to play again isn’t lost on the Florida dugout. Photo from the UF-UM game Feb. 21. Courtesy of the SEC Media.

SPORTS | BASEBALL

The year without baseball

By Ryan Haley and Sara Kate Dyson | Mar. 12, 2021

One year after COVID-19 brought the world to its knees, the Gators reflect on what it meant to not play a year ago — and what it means to play now.

Freshman Katie Kistler rounds second base against Charlotte Feb. 20

SPORTS | SOFTBALL

Top-10 matchup this weekend as Florida welcomes Kentucky

By Noah Ram | Mar. 11, 2021

Florida will play its highest-ranked opponent this season when it hosts No. 9 Kentucky.

Sophomore Tre Mann led the Gators with 22 points Thursday.

SPORTS | MEN'S BASKETBALL

Gators survive second-round scare against Vanderbilt

By Declan Walsh | Mar. 11, 2021

Florida escaped with an unconvincing 69-63 victory over Vanderbilt in the SEC Tournament Thursday.

Florida has focused on individual workouts amid connective cancelations

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS LACROSSE

Florida lacrosse stays sharp during unexpected week off

By Karina Wilson | Mar. 11, 2021

Two postponed games led to an unexpected week off for the Gators. Individual workouts kept them afloat.

No. 26 duo McCartney Kessler and Marlee Zein preserved their consistency and stacked up a six-match win streak in the doubles category. Photo from UF-Texas A&M match Feb. 28.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS TENNIS

Another SEC-riddled weekend for Gators tennis

By Jesse Richardson | Mar. 11, 2021

Women return home to battle Missouri at 5 p.m. while the men take on the Rebels in Oxford at 6 p.m.

Sophomore Thayer Hall leads the team with 369 kills on the season through 26 matches, 144 more kills than the next-best player.

SPORTS | VOLLEYBALL

Florida finally plays ranked opponent, hosts Missouri

By Noah Ram | Mar. 11, 2021

No. 7 Florida welcomes in its first ranked opponent this weekend: No. 25 Missouri.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS

Remembering when COVID-19 shut down sports

By Christian Ortega , Declan Walsh , Zachary Huber , Noah Ram , Rachel Slay , Ryan Haley and Sara Kate Dyson | Mar. 11, 2021

The COVID-19 pandemic swept through the sports world and canceled all organized activities. Florida athletes and coaches reflect on what happened 365 days ago and how they feel now.