Sports - The Independent Florida Alligator

Shortstop Deacon Liput hit his second and third home runs of the season this weekend against Tennessee.

SPORTS | BASEBALL

Florida goes for sweep of FSU: Over- and underachievers for week of April 3-9

By Morgan McMullen | Apr. 10, 2018

With Tennessee’s win over No. 1 Florida in Game 2 of Sunday’s doubleheader the Volunteers snapped the Gators’ nine-game winning streak. Though that aspect merely matched last season’s longest stretch of consecutive wins, the 2018 Gators offense emerged as a larger part of the team’s identity than it had been during the 2017 championship run.

Pitcher Kelly Barnhill gave up two runs on four hits in a complete game against Alabama on Monday.

SPORTS | SOFTBALL

Florida captures series against Alabama behind clutch hitting from Romanello

By Mark Stine | Apr. 10, 2018

The odds were stacked against Florida’s Danielle Romanello in the top of the sixth inning. The freshman catcher faced an 0-2 count against Alabama ace Alexis Osorio with two outs and the game tied.

Quarterback Feleipe Franks and the Gators will play in the Orange and Blue game this Saturday.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Last week of spring practice approaches for UF with Orange and Blue Game set for Saturday

By Andrew Huang | Apr. 10, 2018

First-year coach Dan Mullen wants to break records at Florida, starting with the annual Orange and Blue Game this Saturday.

Candace Parker of the Los Angeles Spark is one of six WNBA players to be paid the league's highest salary of $113,500.

SPORTS | COLUMNS

Lack of love for women’s sports is frustrating

By Skyler Lebron | Apr. 10, 2018

Late last week, I was perusing the Twittersphere when I came across a tweet that caught my attention.

Bryan Shelton was modest after earning his 100th career win as Florida's coach. “I don't hit a single ball in these matches so the players are the ones that should get the credit,” he said.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS TENNIS

Florida sweeps LSU to give Shelton 100 wins at UF

By Dylan Rudolph | Apr. 9, 2018

The No. 9 Florida men’s tennis team swept the LSU Tigers in Baton Rouge on Sunday 7-0 to give coach Bryan Shelton his 100th win at UF.

Junior attacker Lindsey Ronbeck scored the first two goals of the game on Saturday, but it wasn't enough as the Gators fell to James Madison, 11-8.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS LACROSSE

Gators blow out Villanova to remain undefeated in Big East

By Tyler Nettuno | Apr. 9, 2018

The No. 8 Florida lacrosse team continued its romp through Big East play on Sunday as it took down Villanova 18-8 on the road to earn its fourth straight victory.

LeBron James is a better basketball player than Kevin Durant according to Andrew Huang, sports columnist.

SPORTS | COLUMNS

LeBron has a right to be mad at Saban

By Andrew Huang | Apr. 9, 2018

I was reminded of a scene from the 2007 crime-drama “American Gangster” last week when I heard about the drama between LeBron James and Nick Saban.

Senior Rachel Slocum took home an individual title on vault in Florida's first-place finish at the NCAA Regional Championships on Saturday.

SPORTS | GYMNASTICS

Slocum and McMurtry shine as Gators win NCAA Regionals

By Alana Gomez | Apr. 9, 2018

Right before senior Rachel Slocum stepped up to the mat for her floor routine during the NCAA Regionals on Saturday, teammate Alex McMurtry ran up to her, grabbed her hands and touched her forehead to Slocum’s. Although it only lasted three seconds, the private moment had a clear effect on Slocum, who went on to claim her first floor title as a Gator.

Florida defensive lineman Keivonnis Davis did not play in 2017 following an indefinite suspension from then-head coach Jim McElwain.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Player involved in credit card scandal violates pre-trial intervention terms

By Jake Dreilinger | Apr. 8, 2018

Florida defensive lineman Keivonnis Davis’ status with UF’s football team remains unclear after he violated three parts of his pre-trial intervention agreement for his alleged involvement in a 2017 credit card scandal.

Senior Aleshia Ocasio torched Ohio State for a no-hitter on Sunday evening.

SPORTS | SOFTBALL

Florida falls to Crimson Tide after offense fails to cash in

By Mari Faiello | Apr. 8, 2018

Pitcher Aleshia Ocasio stepped to the plate in the top of the first with the bases loaded and two outs.

Catcher JJ Schwarz drove in the go-ahead run in the top of the 11th inning in Florida's 6-4 win over Tennessee in the first game of a doubleheader in Knoxville.

SPORTS | BASEBALL

UF splits doubleheader with Vols, ends nine-game win streak

By Justin Ahlum | Apr. 8, 2018

After inclement weather pushed back the start of Florida’s three-game series against Tennessee from Friday to Saturday, the No. 1 Gators (28-6, 9-3 SEC) and the Volunteers (19-14, 5-7 SEC) squeezed in a doubleheader on Sunday at UT’s Lindsey Nelson Stadium.

Third baseman Jonathan India blasted his team-leading 12th home run of the season in Saturday's 22-6 win over Tennessee.

SPORTS | BASEBALL

Gators set season-high run mark in shellacking of Tennessee

By Ethan Bauer | Apr. 7, 2018

Florida’s offense on Saturday was a lot like the Knoxville sky on Friday night: explosive and dangerous.

Senior Alex McMurtry took the individual title in the All Around (39.725) in Florida's win at the NCAA Regional Championship in University Park, Pennsylvania.

SPORTS | GYMNASTICS

Florida finishes first at NCAA Regionals, qualifies for NCAA Championships

By Alana Gomez | Apr. 7, 2018

The moment before senior Alex McMurtry landed her final pass on floor, Rec Hall was quiet.

Left fielder Amanda Lorenz has come around to score every time she has drawn a leadoff walk to start the game.

SPORTS | SOFTBALL

Gators get past Alabama after offense draws nine walks

By Mark Stine | Apr. 7, 2018

A walk is rarely the most important play of a softball game. But during Saturday’s matchup between Florida and Alabama, bases on balls played a crucial role.

Senior Josie Kuhlman clinched the match for Florida in a 4-2 win over South Carolina on Saturday.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS TENNIS

Gators women’s tennis team defeats Gamecocks to move into tie for first in SEC

By River Wells | Apr. 7, 2018

When senior Josie Kuhlman clinched the match and sealed a road victory over No. 5 South Carolina, she didn’t jump, scream or shout.

Freshman Andy Andrade accounted for the only point Florida could muster against No. 5 Texas A&M in Friday night's matchup.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS TENNIS

Gators fall to Texas A&M for second straight loss

By Dylan Rudolph | Apr. 7, 2018

The No. 9 Florida men’s tennis team lost to No. 5 Texas A&M 6-1 in College Station on Friday.

NACGC second-team All-American Rachel Gowey said practices leading up to the NCAA Regional Championships have been intense. “Putting the pressure on it helped us," she said.

SPORTS | GYMNASTICS

Gators set to compete at NCAA Regionals

By Alana Gomez | Apr. 7, 2018

When the No. 5 Gators enter Penn State's Rec Hall in University Park, Pennsylvania, on Saturday, they will be looking to advance to the NCAA Championships for the 36th time in 37 years.

After a sixth place finish last month in Statesboro, Georgia, UF coach JC Deacon expressed his lukewarm feelings on his team's performance. “I think we’re doing OK, but I think our best golf is yet to come," he said.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS GOLF

Deacon: ‘I don’t think we’ve played our best golf’

By Sam Campisano | Apr. 6, 2018

It’s been a tumultuous spring season for coach J.C. Deacon’s Florida men’s golf team.

Coach Roland Thornqvist and the Gators are wrapping up their regular season with three final conference matchups. "These last two weekends are going to provide some of the most exciting tennis and marquee match-ups,” he said.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS TENNIS

UF women’s tennis looking to overcome struggles against top-10 teams

By River Wells | Apr. 6, 2018

With three matches left in the regular season, the Florida women’s tennis team (14-6, 9-1 SEC) is second in the SEC standings. Right below it is Vanderbilt (16-3, 8-1 SEC) and Georgia (12-5, 7-3 SEC), two teams that have defeated Florida this year.

Coach Bryan Shelton said he is expecting stiff competition in the final three matches of Florida's regular season. “You have to embrace that you will get each team’s very best and solve each problem," he said.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS TENNIS

Gators prepare to face top team in SEC

By Dylan Rudolph | Apr. 6, 2018

The Florida men’s tennis team plays two matches on the road this weekend.