Sports - The Independent Florida Alligator

Senior Elizabeth Beisel competes in the 200-yard butterfly during Florida’s match against Auburn on Jan. 25 in the O’Connell Center. Beisel listened to EDM and rap before races this season to get pumped up.

SPORTS | FEATURES

Getting ready: Florida swimmers share pre-race routines

By Logan McGuire | Apr. 15, 2014

Every race is unique.

Taylor Gushue bats during Florida’s 3-1 win against FSU on March 18 at McKethan Stadium. Gushue was a second-team All-American in 2014 after batting a career-high .318

SPORTS | BASEBALL

Florida finishes road trip with victory over Florida Gulf Coast

By ADAM PINCUS< | Apr. 15, 2014

The Gators had their work cut out for them two weeks ago. An eight-game road trip that included three top-10 teams awaited them.

Wizards guard Bradley Beal (3) shoots during Washington’s 104-91 win against the Milwaukee Bucks on Saturday.

SPORTS | MEN'S BASKETBALL

Brewer scores career-high 51

By JONATHAN CZUPRYN< | Apr. 15, 2014

Prior to Friday night, Corey Brewer had never scored more than 29 points in an NBA game. During his three-year tenure at Florida under Billy Donovan, Brewer topped out at 26 points.

Former Tennessee men’s basketball coach Cuonzo Martin (right) smiles as he is introduced as Cal’s new coach at a press conference Tuesday in Berkeley, Calif.

SPORTS | MEN'S BASKETBALL

Vols coach accepts Cal job

By LANDON WATNICK< | Apr. 15, 2014

The Cuonzo Martin Experiment at Tennessee is over.

Briana Little bats during Florida’s 2-0 win against Ole Miss on March 9 at Katie Seashole Pressly Stadium. Little has hit well despite limited playing time this season.

SPORTS | SOFTBALL

Reserves come up big for Florida in nonconference weekend

By JORDAN MCPHERSON | Apr. 14, 2014

After starting 53 games and hitting 11 home runs in 2013, Briana Little has seen less time on the field this season.

$Jeff Driskel (6) signals down the field as he scrambles during Florida’s Orange and Blue Debut on Saturday at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Driskel suffered a fractured fibula against Tennessee on Sept. 21, 2013.$

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Driskel solid in first game at Florida Field following injury

By MORGAN MORIARTY | Apr. 13, 2014

Jeff Driskel took to Florida Field during Saturday’s Orange and Blue Debut for the first time since suffering a season-ending fractured fibula against Tennessee on Sept. 21, 2013.

SPORTS | BASEBALL

Gators need 13 innings to topple Gamecocks

By ADAM PINCUS< | Apr. 13, 2014

A Justin Shafer sacrifice fly scored the go-ahead run against South Carolina on Saturday night to even up the Southeastern Conference series and keep Florida tied at the top of its division.

Hunter Joyer (41) runs the ball during Florida’s Orange and Blue Debut on Saturday in Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. The Gators’ two offenses combined for 606 yards in the game.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Gators show off offense at spring game

By JORDAN MCPHERSON | Apr. 12, 2014

Florida showcased its new up-tempo offense during the Orange and Blue Debut on Saturday, and coach Will Muschamp liked what he saw in Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.

Ahmad Fulwood (5) recovers from a tackle made by Jabari Gorman (2) during Florida’s Orange and Blue Debut on Saturday in Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Fulwood is one of several sophomore wide receivers who expect to have a large role in the Gators’ offense in 2014.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Sophomore wide receivers leading the way in Florida’s new passing offense

By ADAM LICHTENSTEIN< | Apr. 12, 2014

Youth is the key word in the Gators’ wide receiving corps.

SPORTS | BASEBALL

Florida falls short of No. 5 South Carolina

Apr. 12, 2014

The Gators got on the board first Friday night, but the Gamecocks got the best of them.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS

Florida stumbles in singles, loses fifth match on road

By BRITNEE MCCOY< | Apr. 12, 2014

The Gators continue to have struggles on the road as the season winds down. No. 15 Florida fell 4-3 to Vanderbilt in Nashville, Tenn., for its eighth loss of the season and fifth on the road.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Positions, players to watch for during the Orange and Blue Debut

By MORGAN MORIARTY | Apr. 10, 2014

The Orange and Blue Debut is scheduled to kickoff Saturday at 1:30 p.m. Spring practice is a superb chance for players wishing to start to separate themselves from those destined to be on the second team. Here are some of the positions to keep an eye on while you watch the game.

Jeff Driskel throws a pass during Florida’s 38-0 win against Kentucky at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium on Sept. 22, 2012. Driskel is the first-team starter at quarterback.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Back on the field: Driskel returns to Gators for spring game

By ADAM PINCUS< | Apr. 10, 2014

Jeff Driskel lied writhing in pain at the 47-yard line.

Kytra Hunter performs a balance beam routine during Florida’s 198.125-197.625 win against LSU on Feb. 21 in the O’Connell Center. Hunter and the Gators begin competing at the NCAA Championships on April 18.

SPORTS | GYMNASTICS

Hunter competed at regionals despite flu-like symptoms

By ERICA A. HERNANDEZ | Apr. 10, 2014

Kytra Hunter battled more than nerves at the 2014 NCAA Regionals meet. The junior all-arounder competed through an illness she’d been fighting the week prior.

Kourtney Keegan returns a ball during Florida’s 4-0 win against Harvard on Jan. 26 at the Ring Tennis Complex.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS

Freshman excelling late in the season

By IAN COHEN | Apr. 10, 2014

Only a handful of freshmen play well enough to be named Southeastern Conference Freshmen of the Week over the course of the season.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS

Lipman brothers to square off when Florida plays Vanderbilt

By BRITNEE MCCOY< | Apr. 10, 2014

After a long season of highs and lows, the No. 15 Gators (12-7, 7-3 Southeastern Conference) are winding down and entering their penultimate match of the season against Vanderbilt (13-8, 4-6 SEC) today at 5 p.m.

Vernon Hargreaves III intercepts a pass in the end zone during Florida’s 24-7 victory on Sept. 28, 2013, at Commonwealth Stadium in Lexington, Ky.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Hargreaves stepping up as he enters second season at UF

By MORGAN MORIARTY | Apr. 9, 2014

It’s not easy to get better when you’re already one of the most talented cornerbacks in the nation.

Hannah Rogers pitches during Florida’s 8-0 win against Indiana on Feb. 22 at Katie Seashole Pressly Stadium.

SPORTS | SOFTBALL

Power hitting gives Gators the edge over Seminoles on the road

By JORDAN MCPHERSON | Apr. 9, 2014

No. 6 Florida held a 2-1 lead heading into the seventh inning against No. 8 Florida State in Tallahassee on Wednesday.

Chris Walker attempts a shot during Florida’s 79-68 win in the Sweet 16 round of the NCAA Tournament against UCLA on March 27 in FedEx Forum in Memphis, Tenn.

SPORTS | MEN'S BASKETBALL

Walker to return for sophomore season

By LANDON WATNICK< | Apr. 9, 2014

Chris Walker will stay in Gainesville for another year.

Casey Turgeon swings during Florida’s 4-0 win against Maryland on Feb. 14 at McKethan Stadium.

SPORTS | BASEBALL

Gators trounce No. 1 Seminoles to sweep season series

By ADAM PINCUS< | Apr. 8, 2014

TALLAHASSEE — Florida State students arrived two hours before the game to get a ticket. They sat throughout Dick Howser Stadium and filled the right-field bleachers to capacity.