Sports - The Independent Florida Alligator

Sophomore catcher Taylor Gushue swings Florida’s 14-5 win against South Carolina on April 12 at McKethan Stadium. Gushue leads the Gators with 30 RBI.

SPORTS | BASEBALL

Florida defeats FGCU for sixth consecutive victory

By ADAM PINCUS< | Apr. 16, 2013

The Gators will not stop winning.

A Boston Marathon competitor and Boston police run from the area of an explosion near the finish line in Boston on Monday. (AP Photo/MetroWest Daily News, Ken McGagh)

SPORTS | COLUMNS

Boston Marathon tragedy is strong reminder of priorities

By JOSH JURNOVOY< | Apr. 16, 2013

At 2 p.m. on Monday afternoon, I walked into ESPN Radio 850/900 in Weimer Hall to prepare for my weekly radio show.

Center Patric Young pulls down a rebound during Florida’s 78-64 win against Minnesota on March 24 in Austin, Texas. Young had surgery to remove a bone spur in his right ankle on Friday.

SPORTS | MEN'S BASKETBALL

Center has surgery

By LANDON WATNICK< | Apr. 16, 2013

Patric Young underwent surgery on Friday to remove a bone spur from his right ankle, UF confirmed Tuesday.

Forward Jennifer George dives for the ball during Florida’s 69-58 loss to Arkansas on Feb. 28 in the O’Connell Center. The Indiana Fever selected George with the 33rd overall pick in the 2013 WNBA Draft on Monday.

SPORTS | WOMEN'S BASKETBALL

Defending WNBA champions draft former Florida forward

By PHIL HEILMAN< | Apr. 16, 2013

Jennifer George spent Monday night with a group of teammates at the home of Gators assistant coach Murriel Page, waiting to find out if she would be selected in the 2013 WNBA Draft.

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 aiming to get back on track

By ADAM LICHTENSTEIN< | Apr. 16, 2013

On April 5, Hannah Rogers came close to reaching the apex of pitching performance.

Florida players celebrate during a 14-5 victory against South Carolina on Saturday at McKethan Stadium. The victory sealed the Gators' series sweep against the Gamecocks.

SPORTS | BASEBALL

Gators return to polls with No. 19 ranking

By ADAM PINCUS< | Apr. 15, 2013

Florida has been through baseball hell and back.

Guard Carlie Needles shoots during Florida's 69-58 loss to Arkansas on Feb. 28 in the O'Connell Center. Needles hit 34.1 percent of her three-point shots last season.

SPORTS | WOMEN'S BASKETBALL

Women's basketball team aims for better 2013-14

By PHIL HEILMAN< | Apr. 15, 2013

Coach Amanda Butler had a message for her team during its first offseason meeting last week: The best fruit ripens slowly.

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 | COLUMNS

Freshman key to UF baseball's turnaround

By JOE MORGAN< | Apr. 15, 2013

Harrison Bader stood before reporters following Florida’s 4-1 loss to Florida State on March 12.

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

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS GOLF

Sophomore places 72nd at LPGA event

By RJ Schaffer | Apr. 15, 2013

While all eyes were on Florida senior T.J. Vogel at The Masters this weekend, another Gators golfer was making headlines on the professional circuit.

Freshman running back Kelvin Taylor (21) scores a touchdown during drills at the Orange and Blue Debut on Saturday at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.

SPORTS | COLUMNS

The Rally: Which football freshman will have the biggest impact on offense?

By JOE MORGAN< | Apr. 14, 2013

Joe: Florida desperately needs a playmaker in the passing game.

UF senior Lauren Embree returns a volley from Baylor sophomore Ema Burgic during the No. 1 Gators’ 7-0 win against the 15th-ranked Bears on Feb. 2. Embree has won four Southeastern Conference titles at Florida.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS TENNIS

Florida clinches share of fourth straight SEC championship

By MICHELLE PROVENZANO< | Apr. 14, 2013

Four years, four Southeastern Conference championships for Lauren Embree and Caroline Hitimana.

Florida first baseman Taylor Schwarz (49) hits during Florida's 4-2 victory against Mississippi State on April 6 at Katie Seashole Pressly Stadium. Schwarz had one run after two attempts at bat. Schwarz homered twice in Florida's 9-5 win against Georgia in the Southeastern Conference Tournament semifinals.

SPORTS | SOFTBALL

Freshman first baseman breaks out of slump in series finale

By ADAM LICHTENSTEIN< | Apr. 14, 2013

Taylor Schwarz struggled through Florida’s first two games against Kentucky.

Florida’s Ashley Bruns (13) attacks the net against Ohio State defender Tayler Kuzma (24) in the Gators’ 13-7 win against the Buckeyes on March 23 at Dizney Stadium. Northwestern held Bruns to one goal in Florida's 8-3 loss on Sunday.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS LACROSSE

Senior attacker enjoys historic day in UF lacrosse team’s win

Apr. 14, 2013

Ashley Bruns was unstoppable on Sunday.

Gordon Watson hits a ball during Florida’s 7-0 win against St. John’s on Jan. 6, 2013. The junior won the singles event of the Gainesville ITA Circuits Draw on Monday.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS TENNIS

Gators end regular season with win

Apr. 14, 2013

The first undefeated weekend in Southeastern Conference play came at the perfect time for the Gators.

Junior pitcher Daniel Gibson winds up for a pitch during Florida’s 14-5 win against South Carolina on Saturday at McKethan Stadium. Gibson allowed two home runs during the seventh inning in Florida's 9-2 loss to Georgia on Saturday.

SPORTS | BASEBALL

USC inopportune in losses

By JOSH JURNOVOY< | Apr. 14, 2013

The outcome of Florida’s series finale against South Carolina was not in doubt after the Gators exploded for 10 runs in the bottom of the sixth inning on Saturday.

Senior Vickash Ramjit hits the ball during Florida’s 14-5 win against South Carolina on Saturday at McKethan Stadium. Ramjit scored three times in the victory, which completed the Gators’ first sweep against the Gamecocks since April 2009.

SPORTS | BASEBALL

Offensive outburst seals sweep of South Carolina

By ADAM PINCUS< | Apr. 13, 2013

Richie Martin yelled into the Florida dugout from second base, unleashing a fury of emotion that rivaled his team’s offensive outburst in the sixth inning. Martin drove in the third and fourth runs of the sixth on a single. Florida would add six more in its first 10-run inning since plating 11 against Kentucky on April 2, 2005.