Sports - The Independent Florida Alligator

UF's Logan Shore pitches during Florida's 14-3 win against South Carolina on April 10, 2015 at McKethan Stadium. Shore pitched seven innings giving up two earned runs in a loss to Auburn on Thursday night.

SPORTS | BASEBALL

A Shore thing: Sophomore pitcher proving his worth

By IAN COHEN | Apr. 21, 2015

Coon Rapids, Minnesota, is a bit hard to describe.

UF junior outfielder Kirsti Merritt smiles as she goes up for an at-bat during Florida's 2-1 win against North Florida on April 1, 2015, at Katie Seashole Pressly Stadium.

SPORTS | FEATURES

A reason to smile: Gator softball's Kirsti Merritt living out her dream

By Luis Torres | Apr. 21, 2015

Kirsti Merritt can’t stop smiling.

Led by first-year head coach JC Deacon, the Florida men's golf team returned to the NCAA Championship last season. Here's Ryan Summer's story on the occasion (http://www.alligator.org/sports/golf/article_982fe4ae-fdf2-11e4-833b-83c78d3e0d3f.html)

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS GOLF

Florida men's golf team focusing on training during down time

By Ryan Summers | Apr. 21, 2015

The next month will be full of preparation for Florida’s men’s golf team.

Josh Tobias bats during Florida's 14-8 win against Florida State on March 17 at McKethan Stadium.

SPORTS | BASEBALL

UF baseball tops Bethune-Cookman with timely hitting

By IAN COHEN | Apr. 21, 2015

Richie Martin wasn’t sure whether to keep running. Good thing he did.

UF's Lauren Haeger bats during Florida's 2-1 win against UNF on April 1, 2015, at Katie Seashole Pressly Stadium.

SPORTS | SOFTBALL

UF softball players ready for midweek against FSU

By Patrick Pinak | Apr. 21, 2015

Two emotions come to Kelsey Stewart’s mind when Florida and Florida State clash in Gainesville – love and hate.

SPORTS | COLUMNS

Johnson’s Journal comes to a close as staffer, columnist turns a new page

By RICHARD JOHNSON | Apr. 21, 2015

There is inherent power in the written word, and I’ve come to realize the impact. I need not look any further than the handmade card that sits on the desk in my room, written to me nearly two years ago. The cover reads: "congrats on quitting the Alligator," in bold letters. That’s how excited I was to leave this newspaper after Summer 2013. It was an occasion warranting celebration. It was before I understood the value of written words.

SPORTS | COLUMNS

Staff writer thankful for co-workers, memories as college career comes to a close

By MORGAN MORIARTY | Apr. 21, 2015

As I write my byline one final time, I can’t help but get misty-eyed. I cannot believe my time at The Alligator is coming to a close.

Florida lacrosse players celebrate after a goal during UF's 18-4 win against Georgetown on April 4 at Donald R. Dizney Stadium.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS LACROSSE

A Family Affair: Florida lacrosse team embraces support

By ALEX MAMINAKIS | Apr. 20, 2015

Jim Darcangelo answered a phone call from back home in Maryland. It was his wife, Marilyn.

UF's Dane Dunning pitches during Florida's 7-4 win against Alabama on March 28, 2015, at McKethan Stadium.

SPORTS | BASEBALL

Air Jordan: Three questions for the UF baseball team heading into the final stretch

By JORDAN MCPHERSON | Apr. 20, 2015

The No. 6 Florida baseball team is three-quarters of the way through the regular season. With just 14 games before postseason play begins — including a midweek against Bethune-Cookman tonight — here are three questions for the Gators.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Injured UF offensive lineman relishes new opportunities

By Luis Torres | Apr. 20, 2015

Rod Johnson’s life changed on April 3.

Rachel Spicer and coach Rhonda Faehn point to Spicer's mom in the O'Connell Center crowd during Florida's win against Kentucky on Feb. 27

SPORTS | GYMNASTICS

A season in review: Top five moments from the three-peat

By GRAHAM HACK | Apr. 20, 2015

Winning a third-straight national title on Saturday night was by far the highlight of the UF gymnastics team’s season. During a year of ups and downs, here are five moments that stood out above the rest:

Tim Tebow throws a pass during warm-ups before a preseason game against the Detroit Lions on Aug. 27. The New England Patriots released Tebow on Aug. 31.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Flashback: A look at Tim Tebow’s history in the NFL

By JORDAN MCPHERSON | Apr. 20, 2015

Former UF quarterback Tim Tebow signed a one-year contract with the Philadelphia Eagles on Monday afternoon. As he looks for another opportunity to resurrect his football playing career, here’s a look back at his time in the NFL:

Chicago Bulls center Joakim Noah, right, celebrates with guard Jimmy Butler, center, and forward Mike Dunleavy after Butler scored a basket during the second half in Game 1 of the NBA basketball playoffs against the Milwaukee Bucks Saturday, April 18, 2015, in Chicago. The Bulls won 103-91.

SPORTS | MEN'S BASKETBALL

Former Gators providing quality minutes in NBA playoffs

By GRAHAM HALL | Apr. 20, 2015

With the first weekend of the playoffs in the books, nine former Gators are hoping to make it out of the first round.

Florida junior all-arounder Bridget Sloan and freshman all-arounder Alex McMurtry celebrate after competeing on vault during the 2015 NCAA gymnastics championships on Saturday in Fort Worth, Texas.

SPORTS | GYMNASTICS

Gators gymnastics team raises the bar with NCAA three-peat

By GRAHAM HACK | Apr. 19, 2015

The result was the same.

Florida senior all-arounder Kytra Hunter performs her floor routine where she scored 9.975 during the 2015 NCAA gymnastics championships on Saturday, April 18, 2015 in Fort Worth, Texas.

SPORTS | GYMNASTICS

Senior gymnast caps career with floor title

By GRAHAM HACK | Apr. 19, 2015

As Kytra Hunter walked off the floor for the final time, coach Rhonda Faehn gave her a long hug.

UF's Peter Alonso bats during Florida's win against South Carolina on April 10, 2015, at McKethan Stadium.

SPORTS | BASEBALL

Sophomore hits two home runs, UF sweeps Mississippi State

By JORDAN MCPHERSON | Apr. 19, 2015

Peter Alonso finally found his groove.

Florida gymnastics head coach Rhonda Faehn celebrates winning the NCAA national championship during the 2015 NCAA gymnastics championships on Saturday in Fort Worth, Texas.

SPORTS | COLUMNS

Air Jordan: UF gymnastics isn't done winning

By JORDAN MCPHERSON | Apr. 19, 2015

Rhonda Faehn is building a dynasty.

J.D. Tomlinson swings during Day 1 of the SunTrust Gator Invitational on Feb. 14 at the Mark Bostick Golf Course.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS

Sports roundup: UF sports this weekend

Apr. 19, 2015

The Florida men’s golf team finished tied for seventh place at the Southeastern Conference Championships, shooting a 2-over-par in St. Simons Island, Georgia, this weekend.

Redshirt freshman defensive back J.C. Jackson catches the ball during practice on March 16 at Donald R. Dizney Stadium.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Florida cornerback JC Jackson charged with felony

By RICHARD JOHNSON | Apr. 19, 2015

Gainesville Police arrested a UF football player Saturday after he reportedly was part of an armed robbery at a Gainesville apartment complex.

The Florida gymnastics team celebrates wining the NCAA National Championship on Saturday, April 18, 2015 in Fort Worth, Texas.

SPORTS | GYMNASTICS

SETTING THE BAR: Florida gymnastics three-peats at 2015 NCAA Championships

By GRAHAM HACK | Apr. 18, 2015

For the third-consecutive year, the UF gymnastics team will bring home the national title.