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  • LAX: Gators Put Out Liberty Flames In Regular Season Finale

    LAX: Gators Put Out Liberty Flames In Regular Season Finale

    Photo by Benjamin Fox | ChompTalk.com

    Attacker Brianna Harris plummeted into the grass as she blindly threw an overhand shot in the air. With less than 90 seconds of regulation time in the first half, the redshirt senior notched a hat trick in and extended Florida’s advantage to 10.

    The No. 8 Gators burned the Liberty Flames 17-2 Wednesday in Gainesville and left nothing but ashes as nine players scored in the back of the net. It was the first matchup ever between the teams.

    Fifth year defender Cara Trombetta mercilessly pushed attacker upon attacker out of the defense and held her ground to a 15-point advantage. She fiercely guarded defense and imposed a Liberty shot-clock violation along with midfielder Shelton Sawers and defender Kaitlyn Dabkowski.

    Shannon Kavanagh found success of her own as she soon followed Harris with a hat trick on the free position and closed the first half 11-0. 

    With a sharp pass from Harris in the attack zone, the powerhouse player moved towards the net swiftly and quickly. Going all in, the senior gave an overhand pop shot and brought the Gators to a five-point advantage just eight minutes into the game. 

    Kavanagh then effortlessly put in a turn-around shot to bring the Gators 7-0 and inched closer to the 200 career-goal mark.

    The midfielder later impressed the crowd as she landed an astonishing behind-the-back shot 20 minutes into the second half and stacked up to a four-point goal count. She sits at 199 goals. 

    Grace Haus showed her dominance as she clawed away from Liberty midfielder Olivia Glaze and ran in for a successful pop shot. The goal was her second one of the half.

    Attacker Kassidy Bresnahan also saw some action thirty seconds into the second half as she bolted to the net and snatched her second goal of the day. She slid into the ground shortly after. Earlier in the matchup, the senior made a wrap-around shot into the net to bring the score 4-0. 

    The five starting players didn’t dominate the game, however. An additional four players from the bench threw the ball in net during regulation and helped Florida grab its monstrous 15-point lead.

    Emily Heller snagged her eighth goal of the season in a solid free position goal halfway through the second period. The sophomore midfielder gave Florida an 11-point lead. 

    Harrison whipped the ball into the net in a one on one battle with Liberty goaltender only two minutes left in the half. Florida moved 16-2. 

    With one final push in the last ten seconds, sophomore attacker Janine Suris got in a vivacious goal and topped of the Florida win 17-2.

    “I thought that the second group came in off the bench and seamlessly executed what we asked them to do,” said head coach Amanda O’Leary. “This was a total team effort today.”

    https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js

    Goaltender Sarah Reznick pulled in a fiery .75 save percentage with six saves in 51 minutes of gameplay. Backup goaltender Julia Hammerschlag took to the net the last nine minutes of the second half and got in one save. 

    The victory over the Flames makes for Florida’s 11th consecutive win on the season and its fewest goals-against since its win over Cincinnati 19-2 in April 2017.

    The Gators host the AAC tournament May 6 and May 8 and take on Cincinnati opening day at 4:30 p.m.

    Contact Faith Buckley on her Twitter @_faithbuckley

  • The Gridiron Growl Podcast: Early Rounds of the NFL Draft with Andrew Spivey

    The Gridiron Growl Podcast: Early Rounds of the NFL Draft with Andrew Spivey

    Check out the latest episode of The Gridiron Growl Podcast as David Soderquist and Brian Fox are once again joined by Andrew Spivey of GatorCountry.com.

    The trio discuss the Florida Gators that are expected to be selected on days one and two (rounds one through three) of the NFL Draft.

    The Brian and David take you around the campus before discussing the All-Access Spring Special that debuted on Monday.

    Click play on the following audio player to listen to this week’s episode of The Gridiron Growl Podcast:

    You can also follow The Gridiron Growl Podcast on the following platforms:

  • SB: Florida Wins Rubber Match and Captures Sixth Straight SEC Series victory

    SB: Florida Wins Rubber Match and Captures Sixth Straight SEC Series victory

    Photo by Brian Fox | ChompTalk.com

    The Gators hopped out to a 3-0 lead through two innings at Katie Seashole Pressly Stadium Sunday after a pair of South Carolina errors allowed Florida second baseman Hannah Adams and center fielder Cheyenne Lindsey to score in the bottom of the first and third baseman Charla Echols drew a two-out, bases-loaded walk in the second.

    Senior right-hander Natalie Lugo started in the circle for the Gators and hurled 5.2 shutout innings barring South Carolina catcher Jordan Fabian’s solo shot in the top of the fourth. Sunday’s win marked Lugo’s sixth win in the month of April.

    Florida scored a run in the bottom of the fourth after three free passes loaded the bases for Echols, who drove in shortstop Sarah Longley a sacrifice fly into right field.

    Florida southpaw Katie Chronister relieved Lugo of her pitching duties with two outs in the top of the sixth and struck out the first bater she faced to end the inning. In the seventh, Chronister surrendered a run on a pair of doubles, but the Gainesville native settled in and recorded the final three outs to send the Gamecocks home in defeat.

    Final (R/H/E)

    South Carolina: 2 / 7 / 3

    No. 3 Florida: 4 / 4 / 1

    Pitching Decision

    Win: Lugo (13-1)

    Loss: Vaughan (2-2)

    Save: Chronister (5)

    Individual Stats (season totals)

    Lugo: 5.2 IP, 5 H, 1 ER, 1 BB, 4 K (1.30 ERA)

    Chronister: 1.1 IP, 2 H, 1 ER, 0 BB, 2 K (2.22 ERA)

    1. Adams: 1-4, 1 R, 2 SB (.404 BA)
    2. Lindsey: 0-1, 1 R, 2 BB, 1 SB (.339 BA)
    3. Echols: 0-2, 2 RBI, 1 BB (.356 BA)
    4. Lindaman: 1-3, 1 RBI (.316 BA)
    5. Cottrill: 1-3 (.293 BA)
    6. Matthews 0-2 (.196 BA)
    7. Hoover: 0-3 (.240 BA)
    8. Longley: 0-2, 1 R, 1 BB (.175 BA)
    9. A. Goelz: 1-1, 1 R, 2 BB, 1 SB (.267 BA)

    Next Up

    The Gators will return to Katie Seashole Pressly Stadium Wednesday as they welcome Florida A&M for a non-conference tilt. The game is scheduled for 6 p.m. and will air on SEC Network+.

  • SB: Gators Bounce Back as Lugo Shuts Out Gamecocks

    SB: Gators Bounce Back as Lugo Shuts Out Gamecocks

    Photo by Brian Fox | ChompTalk.com

    Senior right-hander Natalie Lugo hurled her first complete-game shutout this season as No. 3 Florida bounced back from Friday’s one-run loss against South Carolina.

    The Gators faced South Carolina right-hander Leah Powell again and took her yard twice until the Gamecocks finally made their first pitching change of the weekend.

    Florida second baseman Hannah Adams unleashed the scoring with a leadoff solo shot to right-center in the bottom of the first. An inning later, left fielder Jaimie Hoover ripped a two-run homer just fair down the left-field line.

    Gamecocks pitcher Karsen Ochs entered the circle in relief but gave up a double to Florida shortstop Sarah Longley, who scored the fourth unanswered run on a South Carolina throwing error.

    After a scoreless fourth frame, the top of Florida’s lineup delivered two insurance runs in the bottom of the fifth. Center fielder Cheyenne Lindsey singled through the right side before third baseman Charla Echols hit her team-high 11th home run this season.

    After she yielded six baserunners the first two times through South Carolina’s lineup, Lugo retired nine straight batters to secure the Gators’ 15th shutout victory this year.

    Final (R/H/E)

    SC: 0 / 4 / 1

    UF: 6 / 8 / 0

    Pitching Decision

    Win: Lugo (12-1)

    Loss: Powell (8-3)

    Individual Stats (season totals)

    Lugo: 7 IP, 4 H, 0 ER, 1 BB, 5 K (1.31 ERA)

    1. Adams: 2-4, 1 R, 1 RBI, 1 HR (6) (.414 BA)
    2. Lindsey: 1-4, 1 R (.344 BA)
    3. Echols: 1-3, 1 R, 2 RBI, 1 HR (11) (.368 BA)
    4. Lindaman: 0-2, 1 BB (.315 BA)
    5. Cottrill: 1-3, 1 R (.287 BA)
    6. Matthews: 0-3 (.220 BA)
    7. Hoover: 1-3, 1 R, 2 RBI, 1 HR (3) (.256 BA)
    8. Longley: 2-3, 1 R, 1 2B (.182 BA)
    9. A. Goelz: 0-2 (.253 BA)

    Rubber Match

    The Gators will look to clinch their sixth straight conference series victory Sunday at 1 p.m. on SEC Network+.

  • SB: Gators Lose to South Carolina for the First Time Since 2013 in Series Opener

    SB: Gators Lose to South Carolina for the First Time Since 2013 in Series Opener

    Photo by Brian Fox | ChompTalk.com

    South Carolina freshman pitcher Leah Powell hurled her fourth career complete game Friday at Katie Seashole Pressly Stadium as the Gamecocks defeated the Gators for the first time since 2013.

    Florida managed only four hits and three walks off Powell en route to a narrow 2-1 loss. Junior right-hander Elizabeth Hightower made her 18th start this year for the Gators and gave up three singles in the top of the first, which led to South Carolina grabbing a 1-0 lead.

    Florida negated South Carolina’s advantage in the bottom half of the inning when third baseman Charla Echols scored all the way from first on cleanup hitter Kendyl Lindaman’s double off the right-center-field wall.

    After four scoreless frames, the Gamecocks broke the tie in the top of the sixth. Hightower allowed a leadoff double before southpaw Katie Chronister entered the circle and surrendered an RBI single up the middle to the first batter she faced.

    Chronister settled in nicely and retired the next six Gamecocks, but the Gators came up short at the plate in the bottom of the seventh. Catcher Julia Cottrill poked a leadoff single up the middle and Jordan Matthews drew a pinch-hit walk to put the leading run aboard with two outs. But on a 2-2 count, left fielder Jaimie Hoover fouled out to the second baseman for the final out.

    Final (R/H/E)

    South Carolina: 2 / 6 / 0

    No. 3 Florida: 1 / 4 / 0

    Pitching Decision

    Win: Powell (8-2)

    Loss: Hightower (15-4)

    Individual Stats (season totals)

    Hightower: 5 IP, 5 H, 2 ER, 0 BB, 1 K (1.38 ERA)

    Chronister: 2 IP, 1 H, 0 ER, 0 BB, 2 K (2.06 ERA)

    1. Adams: 1-3 (.411 BA)
    2. Lindsey: 0-2 1 BB (.347 BA)
    3. Echols: 0-2, 1 R (.369 BA)
    4. Lindaman: 1-3, 1 RBI (.321 BA)
    5. Cottrill: 1-2, 1 BB (.290 BA)
    6. Goddard: 0-2 (.191 BA)
    7. A. Goelz: 1-3 (.258 BA)
    8. Longley: 0-2, 1 HBP (.161 BA)
    9. Hoover: 0-3, 1 RBI (.253 BA)

    Next Up

    Florida will look to bounce back Saturday night at 6 on ESPNU.

  • BSB: Halter Propels Gators Past Auburn in Series Opener

    BSB: Halter Propels Gators Past Auburn in Series Opener

    Photo by Brian Fox | ChompTalk.com

    Florida and Auburn entered the ninth inning tied at two, but a pair of plays by outfielders on each team in the final frame ultimately decided the game as the Gators stunned the Tigers, 4-2 on Friday.

    Florida third baseman Colby Halter sent a line drive shot to center that Auburn CF Kason Howell was tracking, but misjudged and resulted in Brock Edge scoring to put the Gators ahead.

    In the bottom of the ninth, Auburn’s Tyler Miller sent a liner to the gap in left, but LF Jacob Young hustled and made a terrific catch for the out.

    How It Happened:

    Backed by a strong effort from starter Franco Aleman, the Gators got on the scoreboard first in the fourth inning. Jud Fabian crushed a two run homer over the scoreboard in left center to put Florida up 2-0.

    Aleman cruised until the sixth when a lead-off walk and a 1-0 count to lead-off the inning saw Kevin O’Sullivan make the move to Christian Scott.

    Scott, however, struggled a bit and was hit fairly hard. In the seventh, a two-run homer by Ryan Bliss evened the score at two.

    In the ninth, a Kendrick Calilao walk with one out brought up Halter with a chance at some late inning heroics.

    Halter’s triple to center scored pinch runner Edge. Halter scored on Josh Rivera’s single to right-center one batter later.

    Jack Leftwich came on in the ninth to close things out and promptly retired the heart of the Tigers’ lineup on just eight pitches in earning his first save.

    Pitching Decision:

    • W: Christian Scott (3-2)
    • L: Trace Bright (3-4)
    • S: Jack Leftwich (1)

    Individual Stats:

    • Aleman: 5 IP, 6 H, 0 R, 5 K, BB
    • Young: 3-5, 2B
    • Rivera: 2-4, RBI

    On Deck:

    Florida will look to clinch the series victory on Saturday with Tommy Mace on the mound. Weather in Auburn is expected to be ugly and the game has already been postponed to a 7:00 PM start time.

  • SB: Walton Earns Milestone Victory As Gators Top FGCU

    SB: Walton Earns Milestone Victory As Gators Top FGCU

    Photo by Brian Fox | ChompTalk.com

    After clinching its fifth straight conference series in Tuscaloosa Saturday and jumping Alabama as the top SEC team in the national rankings, Florida head coach Tim Walton earned his 950th career win Wednesday in Fort Myers.

    Before Florida Gulf Coast pitcher Sarah Lawton managed to record the first out of the game, Gators center fielder Cheyenne Lindsey hit a two-run shot — her fourth home run this season — en route to Florida’s 14th shutout victory this year.

    With only 241 losses in 19 seasons, Walton maintains the nation’s highest winning percentage (.798) among active NCAA DI softball coaches.

    Florida right-hander Natalie Lugo hurled the first five frames and yielded only three FGCU baserunners on a trio of singles. In the bottom of the sixth, southpaw Katie Chronister entered the circle for Lugo and threw two perfect innings barring a hit-by-pitch. The Gainesville native picked up her fourth save in the month of April.

    Following a five-inning scoring hiatus, Florida left fielder Jaime Hoover hit a sacrifice fly in the top of the seventh inning, which allowed freshman Katie Kistler to score an insurance run before Chronister retired the side in the bottom half to prevail 3-0.

    Final (R/H/E)

    #3 UF: 3 / 7 / 0

    FGCU: 0 / 3 / 0

    Pitching Decision

    Win: Lugo (11-1)

    Loss: Lawton (7-5)

    Save: Chronister (4)

    Individual Stats (season totals)

    Lugo: 5 IP, 3 H, 0 ER, 0 BB, 4 K (1.34 ERA)

    Chronister: 2 IP, 0 H, 0 ER, 0 BB, 2 K (2.06 ERA)

    1. Adams: 2-3, 1 R, 1 HBP (.419 BA)
    2. Lindsey: 1-3, 1 R, 2 RBI, 1 HR (4) (.352 BA)
    3. Echols: 1-3, 1 2B (.375 BA)
    4. Lindaman: 0-3 (.312 BA)
    5. Cottrill: 1-3 (.287 BA)
    6. Wilkie: 0-3 (.220 BA)
    7. A. Goelz: 0-2, 1 SB (.250 BA)
    8. Longley: 1-1, 1 HBP (.182 BA)
    9. Hoover: 0-2, 1 RBI (.256 BA)

    Next Up

    The Gators will return to Gainesville ahead of a weekend home series against South Carolina. The Gamecocks are 2-13 in conference play after they lost their first five series, while Florida’s 12-3 SEC record ranks No. 2 behind only No. 8 Arkansas. Friday’s series opener is scheduled for 6 p.m. and will air on SEC Network+.

  • The Gridiron Growl Podcast: Draft Talk With Andrew Spivey

    The Gridiron Growl Podcast: Draft Talk With Andrew Spivey

    Check out the latest episode of The Gridiron Growl Podcast as David Soderquist, Brian Fox, and Jake Hitt are joined by GatorCountry.com recruiting and football analyst Andrew Spivey.

    The four talk at length about the guys most likely to be selected on day three (rounds 4-7) of the NFL Draft before talking about the best scenarios for the headliners: Kyle Pitts, Kadarius Toney, and Kyle Trask.

    Brian and Jake then take you on a quick update of the other sports on campus, including a couple of heartbreaking post-season losses.

    Click play on the following audio player to listen to this week’s episode of The Gridiron Growl Podcast:

    You can also follow The Gridiron Growl Podcast on the following platforms:

  • VB: Gators Upset Bid Falls Just Short to No. 1 Wisconsin

    VB: Gators Upset Bid Falls Just Short to No. 1 Wisconsin

    Photo by Benjamin Fox | ChompTalk.com

    The No. 8 seed Florida Gators Women’s Volleyball team lost a hard match to the No. 1 seed Wisconsin Badgers with a final score of 3-2 in the Elite Eight round of the NCAA Women’s Volleyball Tournament. This ends the Gators’ volleyball season with a 21-4 record as the Badgers advance to the Final Four round in the tournament.

    This was not an easy win for Wisconsin whatsoever. The Gators gave them a run for their money as the match win came down to the final three-ish points.

    Entering play on Monday, Wisconsin had only lost three sets all season and hadn’t played a fifth set in any match. Florida won two sets, and nearly pulled off the upset.

    How it happened

    Set 1: 30-28 Wisconsin

    Florida and Wisconsin demonstrated that this would be a hard fought match right off of the bat. The two teams traded points back-and-forth early in the first set. Neither team was able to hold a significant lead over the other until Wisconsin went on a 4-1 scoring run to take a lead at the 13-9 mark. Wisconsin held off Florida until late in the first set when they were able to get back within one point at the 22-21 mark. The next several points were once again traded between the two teams, pushing the set to reach match point several times. An attack error and a final kill by Wisconsin gave the Badgers their first win of the night.

    Set 2: 25-18 Florida

    Similar to the beginning of the first set, the two teams presented equal action. This did not last long however as Florida mustered up a 5-1 run to go up 8-4. Wisconsin attempted to answer Florida’s run, but Florida held their own. Eventually, Wisconsin was forced to call a timeout after Florida held a six point lead at the 17-11 mark. However, Wisconsin was never quite able to catch up, and Florida increased the gap to seven points at which Florida was able to take their first win of the night.

    Set 3: 25-22 Wisconsin

    The beginning of the third set mirrored the second. The teams were toe-to-toe until Florida was able to pull slightly ahead at 8-5. The difference however was that Wisconsin did not let them hold them off. Wisconsin was able to tick away Florida’s advantage and create a tie frame at 11-11. The two teams then went back-and-forth in action once again. Florida attempted to end this streak by calling a timeout, but it was no use. It was not until Wisconsin followed in suit with a timeout that any big changes happened. Coming out of the Wisconsin timeout, the Badgers were able to create a 22-18 lead over Florida which influenced a second Florida timeout. The Gators were able to lessen this lead and pull within a few points of Wisconsin right at the end of the frame, but a Florida service error gave the Badgers their second win of the night.

    Set 4: 25-18 Florida

    The fourth set showed off that same point trading in the beginning that was seen in the other three. Florida, however, was able to come out of this stalemate on top. The Gators were able to pull ahead 10-6 after a 4-1 run. Wisconsin immediately responded by diminishing the Florida lead and returning the tie at the 12-12 mark. It was not until late in the frame that either team was able to gain a significant advantage over the other. The set finished off with a 7-1 run by Florida. This gave the Gators this second win of the night, and it tied the match.

    Set 5: 15-12 Wisconsin

    The final set started the same as the others. There was no advantage held by either team until Florida managed to pull ahead 9-6. Wisconsin responded to this lead and then some. The Badgers took off. They went on a 6-1 run to take the advantage at 12-10. Florida followed closely behind. Wisconsin neared victory after completing a kill to put the frame at 14-12 which forced a Florida timeout. However, an attack error by the Gators gave Wisconsin the final point they needed to take the match win and move on to the final four.

    Leaderboard

    Aces

    Ceasar, 4

    Carlton, 1

    Digs

    McKissock, 23

    Monserez, 22

    Ceasar, 19

    Blocks

    Forte, 7

    Carlton, 7

    Kills

    Hall, 23

    Ceasar, 17

    Forte, 10

  • VB: Block Party Lands Gators in Elite Eight

    VB: Block Party Lands Gators in Elite Eight

    Photo by Benjamin Fox | ChompTalk.com

    The No. 8 seeded Florida Gators Women’s Volleyball team defeated the No. 9 seeded Ohio State Buckeyes 3-1 on Sunday night. This win advances the Gators to the Regional Final on Monday night.

    With this win, the Gators move forward to take on the No. 1 Wisconsin Badgers. The Gators also improved their overall record to 21-3.

    How it Happened

    Set 1: 25-20 Florida

    The first set began with both teams presenting an equal fight. It was not until a tie at 11-11, that Florida began to take off. A major 9-3 run was able to give Florida a 20-14 lead over Ohio State, but the Buckeyes attempted to answer this run by pulling the score to 21-18. To no avail by Ohio State, Florida regained their traction to complete a 4-2 run to cinch the first set win of the night.

    Set 2: 26-24 Florida

    The second set began similar to the first. Both of the teams were trading points back-and-forth, and they were able to hit another tie at the 11-11 mark. However, this time, it was Ohio State that was able to spurt ahead with a 8-2 run to go up 19-13 over Florida. Florida did not let this go unanswered as they worked to tick away Ohio State’s lead, and they were able to come within one point with a score of 20-19 in the frame. In response, the Buckeyes pulled ahead to reach match point at 24-20. Despite this fact, the trailing Florida team returned with an incredible 6-0 run to claim their second win of the match.

    Set 3: 25-23 Ohio State

    The third set began with both teams keeping pace with each other. However, Ohio State was able to take advantage of the media break by returning to action with a 4-0 run to put them up over Florida. Florida was able to diminish Ohio State’s lead by coming within one point at the 24-23 mark. However, unlike the previous set, the Buckeyes were able to hold Florida off to seal their first set win of the night.

    Set 4: 25-16 Florida

    Florida returned to play ready to go. The Gators were able to take an early advantage over Ohio State. Florida just continued to widen the gap between themselves and the Buckeyes as they hit a 12 point lead at the 18-6 mark. Ohio State was able to half the lead that Florida held over them, but it was not enough. Florida hit the 21-15 mark and proceeded forward with a 4-1 run to claim their set win and advance to the Regional Final.

    Leaderboard

    Aces

    Monserez, 3

    Ceasar, 2

    Digs

    McKissock, 19

    Monserez, 15

    Ceasar, 11

    Blocks

    Dooley, 8

    Forte, 7

    Monserez, 5

    Carlton, 5

    Ceasar, 3

    Hall, 3

    Kills

    Ceasar, 17

    Hall, 11

    Monserez, 8

    What’s Next?

    Florida will take on the No. 1 seeded Wisconsin Badgers on April 19 for the Regional Final in Omaha, Nebraska. The match is slated to take place at 6:30 p.m.