Sports - The Independent Florida Alligator

Junior Jonathon Crawford warms up on the mound during Florida’s 3-2 win against South Carolina on April 11 at McKethan Stadium. Crawford and No. 3 seed Florida will face No. 2 seed Austin Peay in its first NCAA Tournament game on Friday.

SPORTS | COLUMNS

Florida needs more innings from starting staff

By JOSH JURNOVOY< | Apr. 22, 2013

The UF baseball team has every right to be pleased.

Sophomore outside hitter Noami Santos-Lamb stands on the court prior to Florida’s 3-0 (25-21, 25-14, 25-12) win against FIU on Aug. 24 in the O’Connell Center.

SPORTS | VOLLEYBALL

Sophomore outside hitter returning to court after knee injury

By JOE MORGAN< | Apr. 22, 2013

Noami Santos-Lamb is healthy and ready to get going.

Florida celebrates its victory at the NCAA Championships on April 20 in Los Angeles. The Gators became the fifth gymnastics program to win a national title.

SPORTS | GYMNASTICS

Faehn-tastic: UF wins first title

By CHUCK KINGSBURY< | Apr. 21, 2013

The Gators were not finishing second again this year.

Olivia Janowicz prepares to return a serve in a match against Duke in 2011.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS TENNIS

Florida clinches fourth consecutive SEC title

By MICHELLE PROVENZANO< | Apr. 21, 2013

Third-seeded Florida faced No. 1 seed Georgia in the final match of the Southeastern Conference Tournament on Sunday, and the Gators swept the Bulldogs 4-0 to win their fourth consecutive conference title and their 19th overall.

Florida players lean on the dugout railing while watching the Gators’ 14-5 win against South Carolina on April 13 at McKethan Stadium. Florida dropped the opener of its three-game series against LSU 3-2 on Thursday.

SPORTS | BASEBALL

Missouri snaps Florida’s eight-game winning streak

By ADAM PINCUS< | Apr. 21, 2013

Florida fell behind for the third straight game against Missouri. Unlike the previous two contests, Sunday’s series finale ended in UF’s first loss in two weeks.

Junior Hannah Rogers waits in the circle during Florida’s 4-2 win against Mississippi State on April 6 at Katie Seashole Pressly Stadium. Rogers threw 288 pitches in 15 innings of work in the Southeastern Conference Tournament last weekend.

SPORTS | SOFTBALL

Junior ace breaks out of slump by tossing no-hitter

By ADAM LICHTENSTEIN< | Apr. 21, 2013

After three mediocre starts against Mississippi State and Kentucky, Hannah Rogers had something to prove.

Junior Alexandra Cercone swings during Florida’s 7-0 victory against Baylor on Feb. 2 at Linder Stadium.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS TENNIS

The Fighter: Junior rising to occasion for championship team

By MICHELLE PROVENZANO< | Apr. 21, 2013

To teammate Lauren Embree, Alexandra Cercone is a “fighter.”

Senior Lauren Embree returns a ball during Florida’s 4-1 win against Georgia on March 15. Embree lost to Stanford's Nicole Gibbs 6-0, 6-1 as the Cardinal defeated the Gators 4-3 to advance to the NCAA title match.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS TENNIS

Florida advances to SEC Tournament final

By MICHELLE PROVENZANO< | Apr. 20, 2013

After falling to Southeastern Conference newcomer Texas A&M in the regular season, Florida got its revenge.

Freshman outfielder Harrison Bader slides into home during Florida's 14-5 win against South Carolina on Saturday. Bader scored a run in the Gators' 7-1 win against the Owls on Tuesday.

SPORTS | BASEBALL

Gators defeat Tigers in 15-inning contest

By ADAM PINCUS< | Apr. 20, 2013

It took 15 innings and nearly five hours before the Gators grabbed their first lead in a Saturday matinee that turned into a Saturday night affair.

Junior Eddie Lovett (left) races in the 55m hurdles at the Gator Invitational in the O’Connell Center.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS TRACK

Florida posts strong results at Tom Jones Memorial Classic

By GORDON STREISAND< | Apr. 20, 2013

On a damp and chilly day at the Tom Jones Memorial Classic in Gainesville, littered with delays and timekeeping malfunctions, the Gators managed to sweep three events: the men’s hammer throw, men’s 3000m and women’s 1500m.

Junior Hannah Rogers pitches during Florida’s 7-3 win against FSU on March 27 at Katie Seashole Pressly Stadium. Rogers struck out 11 in her complete-game victory against Longwood on Saturday.

SPORTS | SOFTBALL

Florida pitching dominates Longwood

By ADAM LICHTENSTEIN< | Apr. 20, 2013

Hannah Rogers struggled in her last three appearances against light-hitting Mississippi State and Kentucky, but she dominated a Longwood lineup with three .400 hitters.

Senior Tyler McCumber putts during the SunTrust Gator Invitational on Feb. 10 at Mark Bostick Golf Course.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS GOLF

Gators improve on second day of SEC tourney

By RJ Schaffer | Apr. 20, 2013

After a disastrous first round of golf for the Gators men’s and women’s golf teams, both teams fared better on the second day of the Southeastern Conference Championships.

Senior Billy Federhofer prepares to backhand the ball during Florida’s 7-0 win against St. John’s on Jan. 26 at Linder Stadium. Federhofer dropped his last set 1-6 to end the Gators' 4-3 loss in the NCAA Tournament on Friday.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS TENNIS

Gators eliminated from SEC Tournament

By LANDON WATNICK< | Apr. 20, 2013

After failing to earn the doubles point against Tennessee, Florida struggled to climb out of an early 1-0 hole.

Senior Brittany Dashiell (22) runs after the ball during Florida’s 18-13 exhibition win against England on Jan. 24 at Dizney Stadium. Dashiell became the first Gator to record 200 career draw controls on Saturday.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS LACROSSE

Florida clinches share of ALC title

Apr. 20, 2013

Wiping away tears from her face during the national anthem, senior Kitty Cullen expected Saturday’s game to be a memorable one.

Freshman Danielle Collins returns a serve during UF’s 7-0 win against USF on Jan. 29 at Linder Stadium. Collins teamed with Olivia Janowicz to win the only doubles match for the Gators on Friday.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS TENNIS

Gators dominate singles play, defeat Commodores

By MICHELLE PROVENZANO< | Apr. 20, 2013

After dropping the doubles point for the second time this season against the Commodores, the Gators pulled out a singles wins to send themselves to the SEC semifinals.

Junior starting pitcher Jonathon Crawford warms up on the mound during Florida’s 3-2 victory against South Carolina on April 11 at McKethan Stadium. Crawford gave up four runs in four innings against Auburn on Friday.

SPORTS | BASEBALL

Florida rallies to take opener from Missouri

By JOSH JURNOVOY< | Apr. 20, 2013

The Gators were hoping to get the good Jonathon Crawford on Friday night.

Junior Camilla Hedberg watches her shot during the SunTrust Gator Invitational on March 15 at Mark Bostick Golf Course.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS GOLF

Florida golf teams struggle at SEC Tournaments

By RJ Schaffer | Apr. 19, 2013

The Gators men’s golf team was one of the favorites to win the Southeastern Championship, but after one round, the team may have to look elsewhere for a title.

Bridget Sloan celebrates during the NCAA Regionals on April 6 in the O’Connell Center. Florida won the meet with a score of 198.4. Sloan posted a 9.925 on uneven bars at the NCAA Championships Friday.

SPORTS | GYMNASTICS

Florida earns bid to NCAA Super Six

By CHUCK KINGSBURY< | Apr. 19, 2013

At the close of each gymnast’s routine, there was no giddy celebration.

Junior Florent Diep strikes the ball during Florida’s 5-2 victory against Miami on Jan. 19 at Linder Stadium.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS TENNIS

Gators sweep Gamecocks in SEC quarterfinals

By LANDON WATNICK< | Apr. 19, 2013

With junior Stephane Piro leading the way, the Gators came out firing during their first match of the postseason.

Bridget Sloan performs her floor routine during Florida’s 198.1-196.85 win against Alabama on Feb. 8 in the O’Connell Center. Sloan won uneven bars (9.95) and all-around (39.675) against the Crimson Tide.

SPORTS | GYMNASTICS

A New Chapter: Freshman overcomes injury at Olympic trials

By CHUCK KINGSBURY< | Apr. 18, 2013

Inside the HP Pavilion center in San Jose, Calif., Bridget Sloan was vying for a spot on the U.S. Gymnastics team at the Olympic trials on June 28, 2012.