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Hello, my name is Griffin Foll. I graduated from the University of Florida in August 2023 with a bachelor’s degree in journalism with a specialization in sports and media. I am passionate about my writing and reporting, and I hope you enjoy my personal website. Welcome!
  • SB: Gators Fall Shy of Series Sweep in Tuscaloosa

    SB: Gators Fall Shy of Series Sweep in Tuscaloosa

    Photo by Brian Fox | ChompTalk.com

    Up 2-1 entering the bottom of the third inning, Florida right-hander Elizabeth Hightower gave up two walks before her throwing error allowed the tying run to score.

    Hightower surrendered another unearned run before Alabama scored an insurance run in the fourth en route to a 4-2 victory Sunday.

    After it clinched its fifth straight SEC series to begin the season Saturday, No. 5 Florida fell shy of sweeping No. 3 Alabama for the first time ever.

    The Crimson Tide jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first after leadoff singles sparked a RBI groundout. The Gators faced Alabama right-hander Montana Fouts — who went the distance for the second time this weekend — and managed only four hits in 24 at-bats (.167).

    Florida scored its only two runs after a pair of walks in the top of the third led to catcher Julia Cottrill’s two-out, two-run single through the right side. After she blew the lead, Fouts yielded only one baserunner though the final four frames and struck out the side in the top of the seventh.

    Final (R/H/E)

    No. 5 Florida: 2 / 4 / 3

    No. 3 Alabama: 4 / 4 / 0

    Pitching Decision

    Win: Hightower (15-3)

    Loss: Fouts (14-3)

    Individual Stats (season totals)

    Hightower: 4 IP, 4 H, 1 ER, 2 BB, 1 K (1.34 ERA)

    Chronister: 2 IP, 0 H, 0 ER, 0 BB, 4 K (2.14 ERA)

    1. Adams: 1-3 (.405 BA)
    2. Lindsey: 0-3 (.345 BA)
    3. Echols: 1-3, 1 R (.376 BA)
    4. Lindaman: 1-2, 1 BB (.333 BA)
    5. Cottrill: 1-2, 2 RBI, 1 BB, 1 SB (.288 BA)
    6. Wilkie: 0-3 (.232 BA)
    7. A. Goelz: 0-2 (.255 BA)
    8. Longley: 1-3 (.143 BA)
    9. Goddard: 0-2, 1 R, 1 BB (.191 BA)

    Next Up

    The Gators will return to the Sunshine State for a non-conference game against FCGU Wednesday at 5 p.m.

  • BSB: Gators Complete Sweep of Missouri

    BSB: Gators Complete Sweep of Missouri

    Photo by Brian Fox | ChompTalk.com

    Game One: Florida 8, Mizzou 6

    Playing just eleven hours after the conclusion of the series opener, Florida topped Missouri 8-6 in the first game of Saturday’s double-header. The entire series wrapped up in just under twenty-four hours.

    How It Happened:

    Missouri jumped on the Gators in the second inning, scoring five runs off Tommy Mace in the frame. Mark Vierling highlighted the inning with a two-run homer to right.

    The Gators chipped away in the bottom of the inning, as Jud Fabian scored on a Josh Rivera fielder’s choice.

    Florida’s offense erupted in the fifth inning as the Gators tacked on five runs. A Colby Halter walk, a Jordan Carrion single followed by a walk to Jacob Young loaded the bases with nobody out. Nathan Hickey walked to plate Halter then Kirby McMullen singled to score Carrion to create a 5-3 ballgame. Kendrick Calilao followed with a sacrifice fly to bring the Gators within one. Two batters later, Rivera singled to the gap in left center that scored two and put Florida on top 6-5.

    The Tigers evened it up on a double play in the sixth, but Florida would score in the bottom of the inning to regain control as McMullen’s sacrifice fly scored Young.

    Leading 7-6 in the bottom of the eighth, Young took the first pitch he saw back up the middle to score Halter for an added run of insurance.

    For the second straight outing Jack Leftwich was dominant. Entering with two on and no out in the fifth, the righty forced a double play and escaped the jam. Leftwich tossed four innings and didn’t allow a walk or a hit and struck out two. Leftwich earned his sixth win of the season (6-2).

    Game Two: Florida 6, Mizzou 4

    In game two Florida defeated the Tigers 6-4 and moved to 9-6 in SEC at the halfway point of the conference schedule.

    How It Happened:

    Florida got on the scoreboard first in the second inning. Fabian scored the first run on a wild pitch from Zach Hise. A single from Halter scored Thompson to put the Gators up 2-0.

    A single by Torin Montgomery scored Clayton Peterson to put the Tigers on the scoreboard.

    Solid pitching from both sides prohibited any scoring until the Gators broke through in the seventh. An RBI single from Calilao scored Young, then a bases loaded walk forced Hickey home. Rivera continued his hot hitting with a single up the middle that plated Calilao to make it a 5-1 game.

    The Tigers struck back in the eighth with a solo homer from Montgomery, but the Gators also added an insurance run in the bottom half of the eighth on a Calilao single.

    Mizzou scratched out a pair of runs in the ninth, but Trey Van Der Weide shut the door and closed out the game for his first save as a Florida Gator.

    Hunter Barco tossed 6.1 innings of one-run ball while striking out five and walking three. Van Der Weide finished the last 2.2 innings.

    On Deck:

    Florida will travel to Jacksonville to face the Dolphins in midweek action on Tuesday. The Dolphins are 7-22 and had a weekend off. Jacksonville has lost seven of their last eight games, but did beat Florida State in that span. The Gators have played JU three times already, winning two of three.

  • SB: Lindaman’s Clutch Grand Slam Powers Gators Past Alabama In Tuscaloosa

    SB: Lindaman’s Clutch Grand Slam Powers Gators Past Alabama In Tuscaloosa

    Photo by Brian Fox | ChompTalk.com

    With two outs and the bases loaded in the top of the sixth, Florida designated player Kendyl Lindaman dug into the batter’s box with a 4-2 advantage.

    Alabama right-hander Sarah Cornell offered Lindaman a belt-high, 63 mph first pitch over the heart of the plate and regretted it an instant later. Lindaman pounced on the ball and sent her third career grand slam over the left-field wall to put the Gators up six runs before the away crowd chomped at departing Alabama fans.

    After prevailing in a pitcher’s duel Friday night, No. 5 Florida clinched its fifth straight SEC series with a 9-2 victory over No. 3 Alabama Saturday on national television.

    The Gators hopped out to a 2-0 lead in the top of the third after a pair of RBI doubles. Center fielder Cheyenne Lindsey grounded a double into the right-center gap that allowed second baseman Hannah Adams to score all the way from first. The next at-bat, third baseman Charla Echols poked a bloop double down the left-field line and Lindsey — determined to score — rounded third base before she slid head-first to beat an on-time throw home.

    Senior right-hander Natalie Lugo started in the circle for the Gators and allowed only two baserunners until the fourth inning. A leadoff walk and back-to-back singles drove in the first and only two Alabama runs so far this weekend.

    Tied in the top of the fifth, Alabama set up for an intentional walk, but a wild pitch allowed Florida freshman Kali Reis to score from third and regain the lead. Following a five-run, sixth-inning outburst, the Gators added one final insurance run on another wild pitch in the top of the seventh.

    Florida southpaw Katie Chronister cruised through the final three frames en route to picking up her third save this season. The Gainesville native bounced back from her abysmal outing Wednesday against No. 23 UCF as she held the Crimson Tide hitless and retired seven consecutive batters to finish the game.

    Final (R/H/E)

    No. 5 Florida: 9 / 7 / 0

    No. 3 Alabama: 2 / 4 / 3

    Pitching Decision

    Win: Lugo (10-1)

    Loss: Goodman (4-1)

    Save: Chronister (3)

    Individual Stats (season totals)

    Lugo: 4 IP, 4 H, 2 ER, 2 BB, 2 K (1.62 ERA)

    Chronister: 3 IP, 0 H, 0 ER, 2 BB, 3 K (2.19 ERA)

    1. Adams: 0-3, 2 R, 2 BB (.398 BA)
    2. Lindsey: 2-5, 2 R, 1 RBI, 1 2B (.364 BA)
    3. Echols: 2-5, 1 R, 1 RBI, 1 2B, 2 BB (.390 BA)
    4. Lindaman: 1-3, 1 R, 4 RBIs, 1 HR (7), 1 BB (.327 BA)
    5. Cottrill: 0-2, 2 BB (.275 BA)
    6. Goddard: 0-2 (.200 BA)
    7. A. Goelz: 1-3, 1 R, 1 BB (.269 BA)
    8. Longley: 1-2, 1 R (.173 BA)
    9. Hoover: 0-3 (.258 BA)

    Series Finale

    The Gators will look to sweep the Crimson Tide and eclipse .500 in their all-time series (40-40) Sunday at 2 p.m. on the SEC Network.

  • WGYM Liveblog: National Championship Final

    WGYM Liveblog: National Championship Final

    It all comes down to this – four teams, four events, one title. Florida Gymnastics qualified yesterday by the skin of their teeth, joining Michigan, Oklahoma, and Utah as the Four on the Floor competing for the national championship trophy in today’s meet.

    Yesterday’s meet got the job done, but it was not ideal for the Gators. Uncharacteristic flubs and a few falls plagued them on almost every event, with Gabbie Gallentine missing a pirouette and coming off on bars, Payton Richards falling on beam and going out-of-bounds on floor, both Trinity Thomas and Nya Reed having trouble controlling their tumbling power on the bouncier floor on podium, and Savannah Schoenherr nearly sitting her Yurchenko 1.5 on vault. That many mistakes against teams of this caliber? They’re lucky they qualified to today at all.

    But what the Gators have to do, and plan to do per head coach Jenny Rowland’s messaging earlier this week, is to put it behind them. They need to move on, let the past be the past, and have each other’s backs as they move forward. Stay in their bubble, focus on the Orange and Blue, and be better than themselves – especially better than they were yesterday.

    But the competition will be stiffer than ever. Michigan is the only team in this fight that has never won a title, and the Wolverines are hungry for it. They had probably the cleanest meet of any team yesterday, and if they can put the full meet together again today, they will be very difficult to beat. Oklahoma had a similarly clean meet, with the exception of one bars fall from 2016 Olympic alternate Ragan Smith, and was the only team to break 198 in either session yesterday. The Sooners are the reigning champs – can the Gators keep them repeating? And Utah can’t be counted out either. They had their ups and downs yesterday, but the Utes are looking stronger than they have all season and could be a real spoiler threat today.

    We start in just a few minutes on ABC, at 3:30pm ET, but if you’re stuck at work or just can’t bear to watch, refresh this page every few minutes. I’ll have all the play by play for you as we go along!

    We have a live eye from warmups today! Shoutout to Sam Marshall at Alligator Army who’s sharing the wealth live from the arena.

    Oh boy, a new hype video today, already in my feels.

    For those who are new to watching college gymnastics, this broadcast being on ABC is huge for the sport. The fact that all regionals and nationals sessions were all broadcast on ESPN/ABC channels is such a massive jump in visibility from even just two years ago, when we were lucky if the regional feeds were even accessible on platforms like FloGymnastics, known for its high prices and low quality broadcasts. We are so lucky and thrilled to get this high-quality broadcast today, commentated by the best of the best, Bart Conner and Kathy Johnson Clarke.

    3:37pm: Here we go, y’all!

    Davis, OU VT: FTY, stuck! What a start.

    Paulson, Utah UB: Stuck her dismount!

    Richards, UF BB: Off on her series again. This is not the sign we needed.

    Bauman, Mich FX: Hit first tumbling pass, we’ve cut away now.

    3:39pm: Stern, VT: Y1.5, looked basically stuck to me, holy cow.

    Sabado, UB: Release is just gorgeous. Bail, little leg sep but that’s getting picky. DLO stuck! Utah cruising along.

    Webb, VT: Y1.5, little scoot back to get her feet under herself, little underdone.

    Skaggs, BB: Okay, let’s start the meet for real this time. Wolf turn, makes it look easy. Switch to split, just gorgeous. Bhs loso, so steady, good job. Front aerial, locks it in. Cat leap switch side, not her highest but hits 180 fine. Side aerial back full stuck! That’s much better, thank you, Skaggs.

    OU just hit another vault in the background.

    Ah, we’re going to see it. It’s Schoepfer, VT: Tucked Y1.5, stuck COLD, that’s huge.

    3:44pm: Wojcik, FX: Double pike to open, gorgeous, well controlled. Dance series is lovely. Front double full to front pike, so well done, really pops up into the second element. Rudi to finish, just a fantastic routine. They are bringing the heat.

    LeVasseur, VT: Y1.5, little crossover step forward.

    Lazzari, BB: Bhs loso loso, doesn’t even have to bring her arms down, she’s so dead on. Switch to split, great extension, lovely toes. Side aerial back full stuck!

    Trautman, VT: Y1.5, and she NAILS it, just drills the landing. This is insane.

    O’Keefe, UB: She told us yesterday she could tell when she’s gonna stick and THERE IT IS. That’s your national champ, folks.

    3:48pm: Baumann, BB: Bhs loso, soooo good. Switch to split, great. Front aerial, nails it. Switch half is a good one, not as good as yesterday but shouldn’t be deducted. Roundoff Y.5 STUCK, let’s GO. Give her the 10, she deserves it.

    Isa, UB: Short on a handstand, hop on the landing. Just going off of audio cuz I’m focused on Lyss.

    Brooks, FX: Full in is gorgeous, maybe a little big on the lunge out. Front through to double back, fully upright on the landing and great control in that lunge. Double pike, two foot stick! Chest a little low, but what a routine.

    3:52pm: Thomas, BB: Switch to split leap, gorg. One arm bhs to loso, and she falls, doesn’t touch the ground but might as well have, grabbing onto the beam and curling herself around it. That’s meet right there, barring disasters from every other team.

    Wilson, FX: Full in in such an open position, well done. Combo pass is lovely. Oversplit in the straddle is sooo nice. Double back to close, lunge out looked like her front foot might’ve slid but not a good camera angle. Still, a great routine.

    3:56pm: Clapper, BB: Need her to come through right now. Bhs loso loso, very nice. Full turn is really nice and precise, love that. Switch to split, maybe a little tight there in the split jump. Side aerial back full is stuck! Good for her, keep fighting, Gators.

    AFTER ONE: MICH 49.625, OU 49.575, UTAH 49.425, UF 48.7625

    https://twitter.com/TracyBsays/status/1383510193791586310?s=20
    https://twitter.com/groshkovapavlo1/status/1383510305632751618?s=20
    https://twitter.com/chikkadee/status/1383510914188468229?s=20

    4:05PM: Heiskell, Mich VT: Y1.5, stuck cold.

    Skaggs, FX: Rudi to stag great. Dance series is even better than yesterday, nice. 1.5 to front lay to finish. She is such a rock for this team, so proud.

    Trautman OU UB: Huge DLO dismount, stuck it looked like.

    Wojcik, VT: Y1.5 another stick! Something about this vault is just absolute fire, wow.

    4:07pm: Wilson, VT: Y1.5, massive amplitude, hop forward.

    Richards going on FX. I hope mentally she can get it together. Didn’t see any of it though, just the music in the background. Oh, can see her in the background of this beam shot. Combo pass to finish looks good.

    Stanhope, Utah BB: Series looked good. Switch to split, nice. Roundoff 1.5 stuck! Utah chugging along over there so far.

    Draper, UB: Jaeger is nice. Pak, big leg sep. Good last handstands. Double front, didn’t look like a stick to me but Bart and Kathy disagree.

    4:10pm: Morrison, VT: Y1.5, another big distance vault, hop forward. These are gorgeous, but they don’t have as many sticks as OU yet.

    Webb, UB: Pak just FLIES, lovely. Handstand on low bar is great. Van Leeuwen had some leg sep, last handstand looked a little short. Double front half out dismount better than yesterday and sticks it.

    Lazzari going on FX now, can hear her music starting. But again, not seeing any of it. Can’t really blame ESPN for not showing them, since they’re so far behind.

    Brooks, VT: Y1.5, there’s another stick! Get it!

    Guggino, VT: Y1.5, such a powerful block, little step forward.

    Smith, UB: Tkachev is gorgeous. Good handstands. Pak is fine today, good for her. Last handstand looked a little short. DLO, some leg sep and a scoot forward.

    4:14pm: Thomas, FX: Going for DLO again today, much better than yesterday, just pops it into the lunge. Leaps are excellent, so precise. Front full front lay to sissone, great. Good recovery for her, that’ll be a good one.

    Davis, UB: Her handstand work is just fabulous. Jaeger is gorgeous. Little step back on the dismount.

    Paulson, BB: Side aerial loso, so solid. Leap series is great. Stuck dismount!

    Reed, FX: DLO, much better control there today. Front lay to Rudi, another controlled lunge. Killing the choreo section as usual. Double pike is nice and upright, she’s THRILLED with that routine, screaming and fist pumping as she comes off.

    4:19pm: Randall, BB: Utah out here just killing it on beam. Bhs loso, great. Beat to sheep, decent position there. Rulfova, well rotated and controlled, good for her, that’s a hard skill. Roundoff 1.5 stuck!

    Baumann, FX: Double tuck, little bouncy on the landing. 1.5 to front full, sassy step out is well controlled. Dance series is fab. Double pike to close, landing was fine but it looked like she tripped on the sting mat? Covers by rolling into her choreo, good thinking, and ends with the music as normal.

    4:23pm: O’Keefe, BB: Gorgeous mount position, love. Side aerial loso is just textbook. Switch to split leap, back leg maybe a little low? Full turn is nice. Cat leap to side aerial back full, sticks it! Utah just having themselves a DAY on beam.

    AFTER TWO: MICH 99.275, OU 99.1375, UTAH 99.125, UF 98.3125

    4:33pm: Heiskell, Mich UB: Huge release, bail fine. I missed her dismount.

    Trautman, OU BB: Soooo steady through the whole thing. Little hop on the dismount.

    Baumann, VT: FTY, little bounce but maybe her best this year?

    Randall, Utah FX: Double pike, two foot stick! Wow! 1.5 to front lay, a little whipped around but a solid start for Utah.

    Lazzari, VT: FTY, little bounce, good.

    Bauman, UB: Great handstand work. Double front, step forward on the landing.

    4:35pm: Schoenherr, VT: Apparently she had a rough warmup and has some extra tape on. Y1.5, better than yesterday, little deep on the knee bend but SHE STUCK WOW!

    Brooks, UB: Great piked Jaeger, handstands looks great. Bail good. Last handstand a little shy? DLO, little hop.

    Skaggs, VT: FTY, gorgeous flared position, landed a little forward but stick? Maybe? We’ll see what the score says.

    Dunn, BB: Triple series, and she falls! Oh boy. Dance series looked good. Full turn, precise. Gainer full, stuck!

    Stanhope, FX: Full in, pops the chest up. Double tuck, well controlled there. Fun flexible choreo in this middle section here! 1.5 to front lay, solid there as well. Another great one for Utah!

    4:41pm: Thomas, VT: Y1.5, just a little hop forward.

    Wojcik, UB: Let’s see if she can stay on today. HUGE Deltchev and catches fine today, nice. Bail is great. Last handstand is gorgeous. DLO, deep knee bend and has to take a step back.

    4:44pm: Woodard, BB: Starting choreo is pretty! Full turn is solid. Side aerial bhs, steady. Front toss to beat, a little slow but should still get the connection. Switch to split, lovely extension there. Scale, just gorgeous, love that. Side aerial back full stuck! She gets them going again after that fall.

    O’Keefe, FX: Double pike to open, good control coming out there. Front lay front full, good lift in the second element. Dance series has great amplitude. 1.5 to front lay, great there too. Another clean one for the Utes, this is so close, man.

    4:48pm: Smith, BB: Bhs loso, big lean and circles her arms, but stays on. Front aerial, dead on. Love her attack in all the choreo. Straddle half to Korbut, very nice! Bhs gainer full stuck! Good recovery.

    Soloski, FX: Love this routine. DLO, gorgeous amplitude, almost goes out but keeps the lunge small. Front lay front full, not as pretty as O’Keefe but still nice. 1.5 to front lay to finish, and Utah is through another one, keeping things very close.

    4:53pm: Webb, BB: Bhs loso, locks it in. Her legs are soooo long, she really uses the full length of the beam. Cat leap to front aerial, nice. Switch to switch, landed on one leg to avoid having a bobble, wow. Side aerial back full stuck. Sooners will drop the fall!

    AFTER THREE: MICH 148.7625, OU 148.625, UTAH 148.6, UF 147.675

    5:02pm: Richards, UB: A hit! Glad to see her redeem herself.

    Bauman, BB: Switch half to split, good. Side somi, didn’t hate it. Stuck dismount!

    Draper, FX: Double pike to open, good. Front full front full, takes it riiiight to the line. Dance series is nice. Whip half to 1.5, finishes strong. OU starting well.

    Hall, VT: Y1.5, little step to the side.

    5:05pm: Wilson, BB: Hitchkick, just choreo but it’s nice. Bhs loso, ooh little bobble there. Cat leap to switch side, another bobble. Full turn is great. Roundoff double back, little scoot back.

    Isa, VT: FTY, hop back. Not the best event for them to end on.

    Lazzari went 9.8875, Skaggs looked like she was doing well in the background.

    Stanhope, VT: Y1.5, hop forward. She never really stops, she’s so excited!

    5:08pm: Rucker, VT: Y1.5 STUCK COLD! Wow, that’ll help.

    LaPinta, FX: Triple full, one of her good ones. Front full to floaty front lay, nice. A little short on her straddle in her dance series. Double tuck, finishes strong.

    Farley, BB: Needs a big score here. Triple series, a little lean but covers well. 1.5 turn, that’s fun. Side aerial, another little adjustment. Gainer pike, little shuffle.

    Schoenherr fell on bars and didn’t get back up, holding her back as she walks off. I know she’s been having back pain this season, that’s devastating for her. I hope she’s okay.

    Burch, VT: Y1.5, nails it! We’ll see if that’s enough to pass OU or Michigan…

    5:12pm: Brooks, BB: Triple series, killed it. Switch to switch, good there. Front toss, so aggressive, love it. Roundoff double back, little bounce in place. That’ll be a bigger one, they needed that.

    Webb, FX: Front double full to open, very clean and controlled. 1.5 to front full, looked a little off axis but lands fine. Rudi to straight jump, and that’s maybe her last routine? Definitely a great finish to her career if it is.

    5:16pm: Wojcik, BB: Front aerial to beat, lovely. Switch to split, great extension. Bhs bhs loso, so solid. Full turn is nice and sharp. Roundoff 1.5 STUCK! That should be a GREAT score, wow.

    Trautman, FX: DLO, wow. Little shy on the third dance element again today. Front lay front full to sissone, nice. Great finish – it’s gonna be TIGHT, y’all.

    5:21pm: Heiskell, BB: Dance series, very sharp. Bhs loso, super solid. Roundoff 1.5, little hop. My heart is POUNDING right now. What a meet!

    Baumann and Thomas went 9.8875 and 9.9 on bars, respectively. Not that we got to see it.

    MICHIGAN DOES IT! A 9.925 for Heiskell seals the deal for the Wolverines’ first ever NCAA title!

    FINAL: MICHIGAN 198.25, OU 198.1625, UTAH 197.9875, UF 197.1375

    The Gators have some healing to do and some reflecting to do – this weekend did not go their way, and postseason as a whole did not look great. I’ll be very interested to see which, if any, seniors take the extra year for COVID, because their business is still not finished. Still, we should be proud of how they fought and took care of each other throughout the weekend. Thank you for a fabulous season, and we’ll be back with a recap later this week. Check my Twitter for updates from final press conferences! Other than that, thanks for joining us, and go Gators.

  • SB: Hightower Shuts Out Alabama in Tuscaloosa Series Opener

    SB: Hightower Shuts Out Alabama in Tuscaloosa Series Opener

    Photo by Brian Fox | ChompTalk.com

    Florida right-hander Elizabeth Hightower threw a seven-pitch, one-two-three bottom of the seventh inning Friday night in Tuscaloosa to cap off the junior’s 10th complete game this season.

    After falling to No. 23 UCF for the second time in the past month, No. 5 Florida knocked off No. 3 Alabama 2-0 in a pitcher’s duel.

    Hightower hurled her sixth shutout, which matches Tennessee pitcher Ashley Rogers for the most in the SEC. Hightower allowed two walks and a trio of singles through the first three frames, but she eased her way into cruise control across the final four innings and yielded only one baserunner.

    The Gators scored their lone pair of runs off Alabama right-hander Montana Fouts — who also went the distance — with two outs in the top of the second inning. Shortstop Sarah Longley drove in designated player Kendyl Lindaman and catcher Julia Cottrill on a single into center field.

    Only four different Gators managed a hit off Fouts and they went just 6-26 (.231) from the plate — a severe decline from their .298 overall batting average this year.

    The win temporarily bumps Florida (11-2) ahead of Alabama (11-5) in the conference standings. Both teams trail only No. 10 Arkansas (14-2), who picked up a series-opening road win against No. 20 Georgia Friday.

    Final (R/H/E)

    No. 5 Florida: 2 / 6 / 0

    No. 3 Alabama: 0 / 3 / 0

    Pitching Decision

    Win: Elizabeth Hightower (15-2)

    Loss: Montana Fouts (13-3)

    Individual Stats (season totals)

    Hightower: 7 IP, 3 H, 0 ER, 3 BB, 4 K (1.22 ERA)

    1. Adams: 0-3, BB (.409 BA)
    2. Lindsey: 2-4, 2B (.366 BA)
    3. Echols: 0-2, 2 BB (.359 BA)
    4. Lindaman: 0-3, 1 R, 1 BB (.317 BA)
    5. Cottrill: 2-3, 1 R, 1 2B (.297 BA)
    6. Goddard: 1-2 (.233 BA)
    7. A. Goelz: 0-2, 1 BB (.258 BA)
    8. Longley: 1-3, 2 RBIs (.157 BA)
    9. Hoover: 0-2 (.271 BA)

    Huge Series Ahead

    The Gators will look to clinch their third consecutive SEC road series Saturday at 1 p.m. on ESPN2.

  • BSB: Gators Take Series Opener Behind Third Inning Surge

    BSB: Gators Take Series Opener Behind Third Inning Surge

    Final: Florida 8, Missouri 5

    A nearly three hour rain delay wasn’t enough to derail the Gators in the series opener against Missouri on Friday.

    Florida’s starter Franco Aleman only lasted 3.1 innings, but Christian Scott retired the first twelve he faced in completing the game and earning his second straight win.

    How It Happened:

    Jud Fabian got things started for the Gators by taking the first pitch of the second inning and depositing it beyond the outfield wall in left. It was the Ocala native’s twelfth home run of the season.

    The Tigers evened the score in the top of the third when a Kirby McMullen error allowed an unearned run.

    McMullen redeemed himself in the bottom of the inning when he crushed a three run homer to give Florida a 4-1 advantage. In all the Gators scored six in the third as Jordan Butler (single) and Kendrick Calilao (triple) each recorded RBI hits. Colby Halter also earned an RBI on a sacrifice fly.

    Mizzou struck again in the fourth as Aleman struggled. Aleman allowed a single, walk, double, single to the first four hitters he faced in the frame. A sacrifice fly plated one more to close the gap to 7-5.

    The Gators received a bit of insurance in the eighth when Nathan Hickey doubled in Jordan Carrion.

    Pitching Decision:

    • W: Scott (2-2)
    • L: Seth Halvorsen (3-2)

    Individual Stats:

    • Hickey: 4-4, 2 2B, RBI, R, BB
    • McMullen: 2-5, HR, 3 RBI
    • Fabian: 2-4, HR, 2B, RBI, 2 R
    • Carrion: 2-4, R
    • Scott: 5.2 IP, H, O R, 3 K, BB

    On Deck:

    Florida head coach Kevin O’Sullivan stated post-game that the Gators would likely play a double-header to complete the series against Missouri on Saturday as inclement weather is expected on Sunday. Sully also indicated that the two teams would play a pair of nine inning games. The first game is expected to being at 1:00 PM.

  • WGYM Liveblog: National Semifinal Two ft. No. 1 Oklahoma, No. 4 LSU, No. 5 Utah, No. 7 Alabama

    WGYM Liveblog: National Semifinal Two ft. No. 1 Oklahoma, No. 4 LSU, No. 5 Utah, No. 7 Alabama

    Welcome back to Fort Worth! Last session was a rollercoaster of a meet, for sure – I’m a little exhausted, to be honest. But even though Florida isn’t competing again until tomorrow, we wanted to bring you coverage of the second session as well to give a good picture of what Florida is up against tomorrow.

    This session will feature the qualifiers from the Tuscaloosa and Salt Lake City regionals, so Oklahoma and Alabama, and Utah and LSU, respectively. Of these teams, the only one that has never won a national team title is LSU, though it’s been some time since the Utes or the Tide have done it.

    The Sooners are the reigning champions, but have shown weak spots this season on beam and floor. They even lost the Big 12 Championship for the first time since Nebraska left the conference in 2011. Alabama has had itself a quietly successful season, putting the pieces together in time to steal the SEC title out from under Florida and LSU but definitely having struggles early on in the year. The Tigers have had an up and down season, but could have what it takes if they can put all the pieces together like they did against Florida earlier this year. And the Utes, like Michigan, seem to be peaking at the right time, putting together their best complete meet at regionals just two weeks ago.

    Like the first semi, it’s really anybody’s game. Strap in for another bumpy ride – it’s gonna be a close one!

    https://twitter.com/poeticdiction/status/1383179659194552320?s=20
    https://twitter.com/LilyEvans2002/status/1383179661853745153?s=20

    6:06pm: Here we gooooo

    Gaskins, Bama VT: FTY, shuffle on the landing.

    Trautman, OU UB: Looked clean, stuck her dismount!

    Burch, Utah BB: Steady through her series. Stuck her gainer full!

    Desiderio, LSU FX: DLO, one of her good ones! Combo pass is good. Dance series solid. Double tuck to finish, good landing there as well. A solid start for the Tigers!

    6:08pm: Waligora, VT: Y1.5, little hop forward but pretty dang clean!

    LeVasseur, UB: Maloney to bail, some flexed feet but otherwise fine. Good handstand work. DLO, slide back and piked down a little.

    Olsen, VT: DTY! Huge difficulty there, we’ll see another later on as well. One of her better ones in terms of form, some crunching at the end and a slide back.

    6:10pm: Draper, UB: Lovely handstands, piked Jaeger is solid. Pak is really wide-legged, oof. Last handstand good. Double front stuck!

    Graber, VT: Y1.5, little step forward. A great one for her as well!

    Isa, BB: Candle mount, love it. Bhs loso loso, a little knees but stays steady. Little correction on dance series. Stuck gainer full!

    Webb, UB: Lovely floaty pak, Van leeuwen is solid. Double front half out, stuck! She cowboys it way more than I thought though, slow mo is very revealing.

    6:14pm: Blanco, VT: Y1.5, a little short and has to step back pretty far to steady herself.

    Paulson, BB: Side aerial loso, gorgeous. Switch to split, nice. Cat leap side aerial back full is STUCK COLD, wow. Utah bringing it on beam.

    6:16pm: Dennis, UCLA individual VT: She pulls out a DTY???? YES NIA! She is done for the night, but what a way to go out. Wearing her BLM leo, rotating with her bestie Makarri Doggette, pulling out a skill she hasn’t competed in years. Good for her. ICYMI, she and her fellow Black teammates at UCLA were featured on the virtual cover of Essence Girls United magazine, very cool interview everyone should check out.

    Oooh, Ragan Smith had a nasty fall on bars, hope she’s okay.

    Randall, BB: Leap series very nice. Rulfova (full-twisting bhs swingdown), pretty clean. Step forward on the dismount.

    Bryant, FX: Double front, sizeable lunge out. Front lay to Rudi, gorgeous. Front double full, another big step forward but I’d rather her overdo it than underdo it.

    Davis, UB: WOW what a high release. Pak is gorgeous. Great pirouette there. Double front, step forward.

    6:21pm: O’Keefe, BB: This routine is just GOLD. Watch this. Side aerial loso, dead on. Switch to split leap, lovely. Little bobble in the middle of her choreo, that’s odd, bummer. Cat leap to side aerial back full, sticks it. What a queen. Hopefully they qualify and she’ll have another chance at perfection.

    Johnson, FX: Full in is fab, a little slide into the lunge but stays in bounds. 1.5 to front lay, really shows off the control as she steps out of that. Lovely extension and toe point despite all the tape on the ankles. Double pike, absolutely nails it. That’ll be a huge score.

    6:25pm: Campbell, UCLA individual FX: Love how much LSU has embraced her this weekend. This is what this sport is all about. Here she goes. Front double full, super well controlled. Really going full out on the dance, get it! Dance series is excellent. She is SERVING this routine, I’m obsessed. Two foot stick on the double tuck!!!?? I am living for this right now. Front lay front full, fist in the air to finish. Obsessed. Easily the highlight of the day for me aside from the Gators qualifying.

    AFTER ONE: LSU 49.5, OU 49.4, BAMA 49.2875, UTAH 49.25

    https://twitter.com/emwatchesgym/status/1383185316501131264?s=20

    Main broadcast didn’t show it, but Ark all-around individual Kennedy Hambrick just slayed her bar routine too.

    Chae Campbell just had a nasty landing and fell in one-touch warmups on vault, and was helped off the floor. Hopefully she’ll be okay to continue.

    6:36pm: Durante, VT: FTY, little shuffle.

    Trautman, BB: What a solid leadoff performance, sticks her dismount like nobody’s business.

    Shchennikova, VT: Y1.5, overcooked it a little so stepped forward quite a bit, but the leg form was clean this week it looked like.

    Davis, BB: Lovely scale mount, showcasing that flexibility. Bhs loso, very steady. Leap series, wow. Punch Rudi dismount, hung onto that stick! Nice!

    Arenas, VT: FTY, great amplitude! Little shuffle on the landing.

    6:41pm: Edwards, VT: Y1.5, little hop forward. That’ll be the last routine of her career – don’t mind me, just crying over here.

    Machado, UB: Maloney to pak, some leg sep in both. Low bar handstand work good. Van Leeuwen also had some leg sep. Off on that full pirouette but somehow got it around and stuck her double tuck?? That’s fight.

    Johnson, VT: Here comes another DTY! The best one of the night easily, just a little hop in place. Spectacular.

    Bryant, VT: FHS pike half STUCK COLD YES MA’AM! LSU peaking at the right time, holy cow.

    6:46pm: Rucker, Utah FX: The first we’ve seen of them this rotation. First pass very nice, gorgeous height. Closed it out strong!

    Campbell, UCLA individual VT: She’s okay! She’s going to go! Just an FTY, hop in place, but her whole bevy of coaches is surrounding her afterward to talk about something – maybe if she’s going to keep going.

    6:48pm: Smith, BB: Series is solid. Front aerial, straight on. Straddle half straight to Korbut, she’s so quick! Wow! Great to see her recover after her bars mishap. Bhs gainer full stuck!

    Doggette hits bars for Bama!

    O’Keefe, FX: Front lay front full, gorgeous. I love this choreo, she is showing it off so well. 1.5 to front lay, great control. Great musicality through that whole middle section though.

    Blanco, UB: Transitions good, had to adjust mid air but makes it work. Full in is stuck!

    6:51pm: Webb, BB: She has some really lovely lines here. Bhs loso takes the full length of the beam, super steady. Switch switch, I don’t think she hits 180 on the second but Kathy disagrees with me.

    Frazier, UCLA individual UB: Maloney to pak, gorgeous. Van leeuwen is great. Went a little aggressive on that handstand but got it back. DLO stuck!

    Soloski, FX: DLO just gorgeous. Nice and precise in her dance series. Front lay front full, nice control. 1.5 to front lay to finish. A great anchor performance!

    Hambrick, Ark individual BB: Series is gorgeous. Switch switch half, lovely. Beat Straddle 3/4, that’s the best one I’ve seen from anyone this season. Full turn, super sharp. Cartwheel gainer full STUCK! Well done.

    6:55pm: Shepard, NCSU individual FX: Kathy calling a spade a spade and saying how unfair it was NCSU got put in the play in! Thank you! Double pike, super high, great control. Dance series is lovely, good extension. Front lay front full, might have been a little short but covered well. She’s so sharp in all her choreo, I love it. Double tuck, great amplitude again. Love seeing her get the nod here!

    AFTER TWO: LSU 99.0125, OU 98.925, UTAH 98.85, BAMA 98.6

    https://twitter.com/vanessasteck/status/1383192657770524673?s=20
    https://twitter.com/FongsGloves/status/1383193233887535104?s=20
    https://twitter.com/emwatchesgym/status/1383193175825715202?s=20

    7:06PM: Johnson, LSU UB: Sticks her dismount, and her releases were solid too. Such a great leadoff.

    Klopfer, Bama BB: Series is very nice. Sticks her dismount!

    Draper, OU, FX: Double pike to open, solid. Combo pass is well controlled into the corner. Dance series is good, second element higher than the first. Front lay to Rudi to finish, nice!

    Brock, UB: Tkachev is good. Handstand a little short, bail fine. Good last handstand. Full out is stuck!! Good for her.

    Isa, Utah, VT: FTY, great in the air! Looked like a small adjustment but might have been stuck?

    7:09pm: Dunne, UB: Good first handstand. Tkachev to pak is nice, one of her better paks. DLO is maybe her best all season? This team is peaking at the right time!

    Gaskins, BB: Apparently some scoring wait for Olsen before her. Go time. Candle mount, a little trouble with it but figures it out. Side aerial split jump, lovely extension. Bhs loso, floaty but some knees.

    Rucker, VT: Y1.5, little step back, underrotated.

    LaPinta, FX: Triple twist, one of her better ones. Ribbons are in her face, oooops. Front full front lay, good control out of it. Double tuck to finish, has to pull it around but gets it fine.

    Burch, VT: Y1.5, another underrotation but covered well, just a small step back.

    7:14pm: Shchennikova, UB: Tkachev to pak, one of her better ones, legs glued together. Last handstand solid. DLO, still whippy but sticks it!

    Dagen, Oregon St individual VT: Y1.5, little stutter step back. Lovely in the air though, great amplitude.

    Durante, UB: Gorgeous first handstands. Jaeger, a little crooked but good amplitude. Pak, misses her hand, oooooh that hurts. Gets back up, full in is stuck. Jay Clark gives her a hug, she’ll recover.

    7:18pm: Graber, BB: Bhs layout 2ft, and she’s off! Oh boy. Gets back up. A wobble on the dance series. Front aerial to scale is goooorgeous. Sticks her gainer full.

    Webb, FX: Gorgeous so far. 1.5 to front full, lovely form. Back leg was short of 180 on both of those split, ooh. Rudi to straight jump to finish, another great one for the Sooners.

    Blanco, BB: Bhs loso loso, super steady. Scale, shows off the flexibility there, very nice. Switch to beat, good connection and extension. Roundoff double full, bounce in place.

    7:23pm: Trautman, FX: Love seeing her back in the lineup. DLO, very good control there. Straddle positions are good but the third, the split, looked short. Front lay front full to split jump, lovely. Plays up the choreo but the routine still feels empty to me at the end…

    Hambrick, Ark individual FX: Huge double back to open, Great form in the air, good control. Rudi to back layout to double stag, good control there too. Dance series is good. Double pike to finish, great there too! That should be a great score.

    AFTER THREE: OU 148.5625, LSU 148.3875, UTAH 148.0875, BAMA 147.9875

    https://twitter.com/mycluttereddesk/status/1383200907026952192?s=20

    This is a phenomenon we need to talk about, not just in terms of nationals, but regionals and conference championships as well. Judges keep leaving themselves “room to grow” and end up throwing bigger scores in the later sessions, almost every single time. There’s no reason to do that – if a routine is stellar in the afternoon, throw the big score. If it’s rough in the night session, deduct it just as harshly as you did earlier routines.

    7:36pm: Desiderio, LSU BB: Series was solid, nice. Front aerial, steady. Cat leap into the gainer full, stuck! A great start.

    Stern, OU VT: Davis led with a full, 9.8875. Y1.5 for Stern, little hop to the side.

    Sabado, Utah UB: Jaeger was lovely. Bail, solid. DLO stuck! Good for them, still fighting through this.

    Bryant, BB: Front aerial to bhs, hate that series but she does okay with it. Switch to straddle 1/4, flexed feet but good 180s. Punch front, very nice. Split to beat, good extension there. Full turn well controlled. Punch Rudi dismount stuck!

    Olsen, FX: Just the pike full-in today, probably for the best considering the Silivas hasn’t been great this season. Some feet in the dance series but hits her positions. Punch front to double tuck, cowboys it but pulls it around.

    Webb, VT: Y1.5 STUCK! That’s huge. Slow mo shows some leg sep and knees soft toward the end.

    7:41pm: Schoepfer, VT: Tucked Y1.5, big hop forward. Just overcooked it.

    James, FX: Front lay to Rudi, a little bouncy. Dance series is solid. Double tuck to finish, good amplitude, good fight for the control.

    Dean, BB: Side aerial bhs, very nice. Switch to split, second is definitely short of 180. Sticks her dismount!

    Trautman, VT: Y1.5, goes big! But a bounce back.

    O’Keefe, UB: Releases just floaty throughout, wow. Double arabian dismount stuck and she’s SCREAMING, so stoked for her.

    7:47pm: Hambrick, Ark individual VT: Y1.5, crazy good amplitude, step forward.

    Isa, UB: Ray is solid. Bail, straight on. Great pirouette, double lay just a scoot back.

    Johnson, BB: Acro series super solid. Switch to switch half, patient with it. Front toss, lands so upright, love that. Roundoff double full, little slide.

    Blanco, FX: Double pike to open, solid. Dance series lovely. Double tuck is suuuper high, wow. Combo pass to finish, great control into the arabesque. Another hit for Bama, who keeps on plugging.

    7:51pm: Campbell, BB: Series is good, little check. Full turn, little check there too. Front aerial to sissone, some weirdness there too. Switch to switch half, fine there. Roundoff double full, little slide. Just little things here and there… could be the difference between qualifying and not. Crazy how close this is.

    Graber, FX: Really giving it everything here, though some tiredness showing maybe toward the end. Front through to double pike to finish, good amplitude and control. And she comes off the floor, she’s crying, hugging her fellow senior Alonza Klopfer and coach Dana Duckworth.

    FINAL: OU 198.0875, UTAH 197.6, BAMA 197.575, LSU 197.5625

    Both teams that don’t qualify were less than HALF A TENTH from qualifying. Hot damn.

    Oklahoma and Utah will advance! Awards presentation will be first, probably, and then press.

    Award winners appear to be Webb for AA at 39.7875, Webb and Bryant for VT at 9.975, O’Keefe and Cal’s Bordas at 995 for UB, Blanco for BB at 9.9625, and Webb, Graber, and O’Keefe for FX at 9.9625.

    Again, all but one of these are from the night session. Problematic.

    But regardless, our qualifiers are Michigan, Florida, Oklahoma, and Utah, so let’s meet back here tomorrow, 3:30pm ET on ABC, for finals! See you then, and follow me on Twitter for live updates from the press conference!

  • WGYM Liveblog: National Semifinal One ft. No. 3 Florida

    WGYM Liveblog: National Semifinal One ft. No. 3 Florida

    Gator fans! Today’s the day, it’s finally here – it’s meet day, y’all! If you missed it earlier this week, check out our preview of the action in store for today, but here’s the TL;DR:

    Gator keys to success: (these might look a little familiar – they worked at regionals!)

    • Leading after beam (and preferably after floor too)
    • Thomas back on all four (even if her tumbling is watered down)
    • Team feeling hungry and vibing in their bubble

    Competition at hand:

    • Michigan: Ranked No. 2, has stellar AAers, even or better than Florida on VT and UB, but Gators have the edge on BB
    • California: Ranked No. 6, also has solid AAers but weaker in the supporting routines, VT and BB could give them issues
    • Minnesota: Ranked No. 8, Gators beat them at regionals, most events evenly matched, but again BB is UF’s advantage

    We begin in just a few short hours, so don’t go anywhere! Tune in to ESPN2 at 1pm ET, and if you can’t watch, keep refreshing this page for all the updates!

    https://twitter.com/ThomasCluck1/status/1383090085055320069?s=20
    https://twitter.com/ThomasCluck1/status/1383092895931011074?s=20

    It appears California has left the competition floor with a full five minutes left in the final warmup rotation… no reason given but I can only imagine one of two things that would do that – EDIT: false alarm, they all ran back on. Maybe just some bad juju in their bubble and coaches needed to pull everyone aside and talk it out.

    Broadcast is starting right now. Hoping Bart and Kathy will give us some insight.

    Bart and Kathy telling us what’s up with Cal: They were out, and now they’re back in. Confirmed COVID related, but can’t say anything specific obviously due to privacy laws, but all have been cleared to compete.

    1:11pm: Finally getting underway!

    Richards, UB: Maloney to bail, leg sep in Maloney but bail fine. Last handstand maybe short? DLO, deep knee bend but stuck it!

    Grotenhuis, Minn VT: FTY, looked a little short maybe, and crooked.

    Bauman, Mich BB: Switch to switch half, lovely. Side somi, little unsteady but she keeps it under control. Stuck dismount!

    Quinn, Cal FX: Rudi to open, a little uncontrolled in the lunge. Lovely control in switch side to Popa, no oversplit but comfortably hit 180 from what I can see. Double pike, much better on that pass. Good start for them.

    Lazzari, UB: Tkachev is gorgeous. Great handstands in the middle there. Pak, little leg sep but she is so floaty. Good last handstand. Full in, little shuffle. Another hit!

    1:16pm: Wilson, BB: Bhs loso, super square. Switch side, nice. Roundoff double tuck dismount! That’s huge! Little hop back.

    Hooten, VT: Y1.5, little hop forward but she was lovely in the air.

    Skaggs, UB: Stellar first handstand! Being so aggressive here, Tkachev to pak, good. DLO just floooooats and sticks like a dart, yes! This is what we like to see!

    1:19pm: Ramler, VT: Y1.5, almost identical to Hooten, little hop forward.

    Farley, BB: Bhs loso loso, locks it in. Split to split half, a little short in the split half. Side aerial to split jump, nice and quick, maybe a little flexed foot in front. Gainer pike stuck!

    Schoenherr, UB: Great first handstand. Jaeger FLOATS, wow. Good handstand in the middle. Bail a little loose? Double front half out, was that a stick I see???

    Clausi, FX: Double pike to open, good control and amplitude. Dance series doesn’t quite have the preciseness I’d like. 1.5 to front lay, also well controlled, doesn’t get a whole lot of rise in the second element though. Double back, big step into the lunge but keeps it in bounds.

    1:22: Loper, VT: Y1.5, STUCK! Wow, so clutch.

    Thomas, UB: Maloney to uprise, good handstand. Pak very clean. Great low bar handstands. Van Leeuwen had a little leg sep, DLO dismount, just a little bounce back but I’m fine with that to keep her ankles safe.

    Wojcik, BB: Front aerial to beat, gorgeous extension. Switch to split, lovely toe point. Triple series is super steady. Overdoes it on the full turn and has to cover. Stuck dismount!

    Worley, UK individual VT: Y1.5, little step back to steady herself. Love seeing the star freshman here!

    1:26pm: Gallentine, UB: Maloney to pak, has to recast twice and still can’t make the half turn, hops off. That’s rough. Finishes the routine but crashes her dismount too, oof. Florida will have to count leadoff 9.775 from Richards then.

    George, FX: Front double to punch front, little underrotated but covers well. Really bringing the showmanship in this choreo, love to see it. Rudi to close, solid there. Super impressed with Cal’s mental toughness after the craziness in warmup.

    Heiskell, BB: Leap series lovely. Acro series super solid. 1.5 looked stuck to me!

    1:29pm: Brown, DU individual UB: Maloney to bail, solid. Van Leeuwen is good too. DLO is stuck cold. And her hair matches her leo, I am LIVING for this. Good for her.

    DeSouza, FX: Double pike to open, solid start. Leap series, lovely. Getting jazzy in the choreography, I like. 1.5 to front full, clean and controlled. Rudi to double stag, good control in the air and on landing. Cal just plugging along over here!

    Scharf, ASU individual BB: Double wolf turn, steady. Bhs loso, super floaty, wow. Side somi, a little squatty but otherwise fine. Switch to split, maybe a little shy on the second split. Roundoff 1.5, hop forward. Love to see her here.

    McCrary, Miz individual FX: Front lay to Rudi, basically stuck, nice. Double pike, a little short, has to shuffle forward. Switch side to Popa is good to finish out. Good for her.

    AFTER ONE: MICH 49.475, CAL 49.425, MINN 49.3875, UF 49.2375

    Bars scoring seems REALLY tight to me. I’m hoping it’ll stay that way for the rest of the teams for fairness, though it would be nice if all events were scored with equal strictness across the board.

    Florida’s beam lineup is up!

    Less than .25 between first and last… we knew this was gonna be a close one, but wow.

    1:46pm: Richards, BB: Full turn looked good. Triple series… and she’s off. Looks like she’s finished now, didn’t show the rest of the routine.

    Sadighi, Cal VT: FTY, bounce back, little pike on the landing.

    Remlinger, Minn UB: Some struggles, 9.7625.

    Hooten, UB: First handstand short. Piked Jaeger to shootover, fine. Double front, step back to steady herself.

    Skaggs, BB: Single wolf, good. She’s the right person for a reset. Front aerial to split, good. Bhs loso, so steady. Cat leap switch side, gorgeous. Side aerial back full stuck! That’s the way to hit the reset button, Skaggs.

    Koulos, Mich FX: Bauman apparently hit. Both tumbling passes for Koulos so far are solid. Dance series good. Another twisting pass to close, missed exactly what it was but clearly a good one. Michigan is on fire!

    Li, VT: FTY STUCK COLD! Wow!

    Willmarth, UB: Ray, lovely. Bail is solid. Last handstand a little short. Double tuck is slung out but stuck!

    1:53pm: Lazzari, BB: Bhs loso loso, little stutter forward but adjusts quickly and doesn’t bobble. Lovely jump series. Side aerial back full! Yes! Well done, Ellie!

    Wojcik, FX: Double pike to open, lovely in the air and good control too. Textbook leap series. Front double full to pike STUCK COLD, wow. Rudi to straddle, WOW they are just going lights out. That’ll be a great score.

    DeSouza, VT: Missed what vault she did cuz she stepped out of it so quickly, oops. A hit though.

    Baumann, BB: Alright, watch the queen work, y’all. Bhs loso, locks it in. Switch to split, gorgeous oversplit and toe point. Front aerial, leg up, but puts it back down. Whew. Breathe. Switch half is one of her good ones, maybe a flexed foot. Roundoff 1.5, stuck!

    Clausi, VT: Y1.5, ooooh saves it but big step back.

    1:58pm: Heiskell, FX: Double pike to open, very nice. 1.5 to front lay, little stutter step out. Punch Rudi to split jump, a good finish.

    Thomas, BB: Solid so far, psyching herself up. One arm bhs to loso, doesn’t move a muscle. Mixed series, good split, Korbut, good. Side aerial back full, little slide. Good for her! Big hug from Jenny.

    Ramler, UB: Maloney to pak, legs just PASTED together. Great low bar handstand. Van leeuwen was better than Trin’s, dare I say? Full in is STUCK COLD WOW, that’ll be huge.

    2:01pm: Brooks, FX: Full in is nice and high, open position is just gorgeous. Front through to double tuck, works hard to keep that front foot in place but the lunge was pretty big. Double pike – two foot stick!!! Absolutely incredible.

    Clapper, BB: Bhs loso loso, soooo steady. Switch to split, good extension. Side aerial back full, little shuffle, but we will drop the fall and everyone should breathe a big sigh of relief.

    2:04pm: Wilson, FX: Open full in from her as well, wow. Combo pass is good, little shuffle on the landing. Gorgeous straddles in her dance series! Double back to close, great amplitude. What a rotation for Michigan!! They are KILLING it.

    Brown, BB: Front toss bhs, good connection. Switch to split, lovely. Front aerial to wolf jump, good extension in both. Gainer full stuck! Look at her go.

    Scharf, FX: Double back to open, lovely. Front full to punch front, little short but covers well. Precise rotation in her dance series, love to see that. Double pike to finish, steps forward but chest up cleanly.

    AFTER TWO: MICH 99.152, UF 98.625, CAL 98.575, MINN 98.5125

    Let’s look at our measures of success: Trin is back in AA, from what we understand, so check mark there. In qualifying position after beam, yes, thank you Leah Clapper. Team in their bubble? Maaaaybe not. They look like the nerves are eating at them at little, and that’s concerning. Here’s hoping they can let loose on floor and let the nerves slide away.

    My girl Sam from Alligator Army has arrived on site after several HOURS delay to her flight, ugh. Glad she’s made it to see our team kill it on floor.

    Reed anchoring! Let’s get that 10!

    2:17pm: Skaggs, FX: Rudi to double stag, better control than she’s been having, so that’s good. Gorgeous leaps as always. Combo pass to close is great. This is how we want to start, Gators!

    Heiskell, Mich VT: Y1.5, little adjustment forward. A great start!

    Wojcik, VT: Y1.5, little shy and has to step back.

    Big miss over on beam for Minnesota from… Montgomery I think? Nope, Koch, Montgomery went 9.75 after.

    Li, UB: Pak is gorgeous. Van Leeuwen, fine. Last handstand very aggressive. Double tuck stuck! Wow!

    Richards, FX: DLO to open is a good one, but she doesn’t trust herself and steps back again, foot OOB. Double tuck, pretty bouncy but stays in. 1.5 to front lay, floats that second element higher, good finish for her! Glad she was able to bounce back.

    Morrison, VT: Y1.5, big hop forward but great amplitude for her.

    2:23pm: Loper, BB: Series is solid. Front toss to beat, nice. Switch to split 1/4, good 180s there. Little adjusment but it’s a good dismount.

    Lazzari, FX: Double pike to open, front foot does move as she lunges back. 1.5 to front lay to stag, just lovely. Dance series positions are great. Double back to finish, great landing control there.

    Bordas, UB: Just saw the end but she stuck her double back dismount! Very nice!

    2:26pm: Looks like Brooks went 9.825 for VT for Michigan.

    Thomas, FX: Has changed up her tumbling, but Kathy says it’s a two-pass routine for her tonight. DLO, little bounce to stay in bounds and protect the ankles. Plays to the camera as she dances out, LOVE. Leaps are gorgeous, great amplitude and so extended. Front full to front lay to finish. Great, great job for her, she is out here DELIVERING for her team.

    Kuc, UB: Maloney to pak, lovely. Last handstand a little shy. Full in stuck!

    Korlin-Downs, BB: She’s such a wonderful human being, I hope she has a great night. Series is super steady. Beat to split to double stag, very precise. Side aerial back full STUCK! A great one for Minnesota, they might be able to drop that fall and stay in it.

    2:30pm: Baumann, FX: Double tuck, crazy amplitude, good control coming out. 1.5 front full, single step to dance out. Gorgeous leaps, Kathy’s losing her breath and so am I! Closes with her double pike, one of her best! Yes ma’am, that’s how we fight! Adrian picks her up and hugs her coming off the floor, aww.

    Watterson, UB: Pak salto is close… and she’s off! No! Van Leeuwen is good once she remounts. Double tuck, little short but stays on her feet.

    Ramler, BB: Was paying attention to Baumann so I didn’t catch the details, but it was a gorgeous one! Scoot back on the dismount though.

    2:33: Reed, FX: LET’S GO NYA! DLO, it’s HUGE but bounce back will take away the 10 possibility. Front lay to Rudi, much better control there. Dance series is good. Final pass is the double pike, very strong. Well done Gators!

    Saw Cairo Leonard-Baker, an individual for ASU, just NAIL bars in the background.

    Bunn, UK individual BB: Full turn to start, nice and precise. Bhs loso loso, a little off but locks her arms in and will not bobble. Switch to split, very nice. Roundoff double full stuck!

    Seeing the Gators in the background dancing and getting pumped up for Brown’s floor. Love seeing that support and glad they’re in a good headspace.

    Brown, FX: DLO to start, fights and gets the two foot stick! Yes! Some flexed feet on her dance series but she just floats those elements. Really milking the crowd here, love seeing her show this off. 1.5 to front lay to sissone, good control there. Double pike to finish, great amplitude. Just HUGE for her.

    Bart reporting she’s waiting til after this meet to decide if she takes the COVID year, but has already applied for a Masters at Denver!

    AFTER THREE: MICH 148.475, UF 148.2125, CAL 147.925, MINN 147.725

    Last one best one! Let’s qualify, Gators!

    2:48pm: Baumann, VT: FTY, held onto the stick!! Deep knee bend though.

    Heiskell, Mich UB: Just saw the dismount, double tuck little slide back.

    Clausi, Cal BB: Front toss to beat, a little slow connection there. Bhs loso, steady. Switch to switch side, a little tight. Cat leap to side aerial to back tuck full.

    Minnesota opens with a hit on floor as well.

    Lazzari, VT: FTY, much better amplitude, super clean legs, little slide back.

    2:50pm: Bauman, UB: Jaeger to overshoot, mostly clean. Short last handstand. Double front, little step forward.

    DeSouza, BB: Cat leap to front aerial, solid. Bhs loso, nice and solid. Beat to sheep, has to take a step forward on the landing. Roundoff 1.5, little adjustment in the feet, good for her.

    Schoenherr, VT: Skaggs got a 9.875. Y1.5, she didn’t sit, but wow did she underrotate that. That was just straight quad power to not fall there.

    Wilson, UB: Jaeger caught a little close there. Transition fine. Final handstand is good. DLO stuck!

    2:54pm: Li, BB: Front aerial to beat, little bobble in between. Bhs loso, little lean there, keeps it small. Bobble on the leap series too. Didn’t see her dismount.

    Reed, VT: Y1.5, WOW slings it out really far, big hop forward.

    Thomas, VT: Y1.5, how did she hit that? Form in the air looked fine, though not a good angle to see leg sep, and small hop forward.

    George, BB: Competing with her mask on! Queen! And knocks it out of the park, just a little bobble in the dance series.

    Brooks, UB: Piked Jaeger, gorgeous. Good handstands. Bail is good. Great last handstand! FTDLO, little hop, but WOW, that’s huge.

    2:59pm: Ramler, FX: Ring position a little funky to start? Double pike to open, very nice. 1.5 through to double twist, just lovely, lovely form. 1.5 to front lay to arabesque, just gorgeous. She’s had an incredible career, lots to be proud of.

    Wojcik, UB: Falls on the Deltchev! Just took it to big. Bail is good once she remounts, great last handstand. DLO, little step.

    3:02pm: Watterson, BB: It’s another hit, but will it overtake Florida? They’d need to improve by 0.25ish… Florida is in! Qualifies with like a 0.07 lead? Math isn’t my strong suit, but wow, what a close meet. The Gators have a lot to improve on if they’re going to come anywhere close to winning tomorrow.

    3:06pm: Loper, FX: Gorgeous opening pass. Dance positions lovely. Really giving the crowd the drama in this. 2.5 is soooo floaty, wow. 1.5 to front lay, what a great finish for her. Another stellar performer, she should be so proud.

    FINAL: MICH 197.8625, UF 197.4375, CAL 197.3625, MINN 197.1875

    Florida and Michigan advance! I’ll see you back here for session two at 6pm ET! Check out my Twitter for post-meet press conference updates shortly!

  • VB: Gators Advance to Sweet Sixteen With Sweep of Morehead State

    VB: Gators Advance to Sweet Sixteen With Sweep of Morehead State

    Photo by Benjamin Fox | ChompTalk.com

    The Florida Gators Women’s Volleyball team issued a complete 3-0 sweep of the Morehead State Eagles in the second round of the 2021 NCAA Women’s Volleyball Tournament in Omaha, Nebraska. The Gators advance into the Round of 16 and improved its overall record to 20-3.

    Set 1: 25-14 Gators

    The Gators were quick to gain the advantage over the Eagles. The Eagles did not let them hold this lead for long as they completed a 4-0 run to make it a one point set. In response, the Gators completed a 5-1 run of their own to go up 15-10. Returning from a media timeout, the Gators kept their stride as they pulled ahead by six points with a score of 17-11. The Eagles called a timeout to reassess the situation. However, the Gators were able to hold and expand the distance between themselves and the Eagles. A massive 8-3 run let the Gators claim their first victory of the match.

    Set 2: 25-19 Gators

    Right off of the bat, the Gators cinched the early lead once again. After the Gators went up 10-4, the Eagles were forced to take a timeout. In an attempt to catch up, the Eagles completed a 4-0 run, but they still fell short of tying it up with the Gators. Coming out of a timeout of their own, the Gators responded to the Eagles with a 8-2 run of their own. The Eagles worked to tick away the Gators lead as they came within four points of the Gators at the 22-18 mark. However, a 3-1 run by the Gators outmatched the Eagles.

    Set 3: 25-19 Gators

    For the third time, the Gators climbed ahead of the Eagles in the first few points of the set. They held a four point lead at the 10-6 mark. In response, the Eagles rallied to take a small lead at 15-14. They did not hold it long as the Gators proceeded to complete a 5-0 run to give themselves the advantage. The Eagles attempted to keep up with the Gators, but they fell short. This gave the Gators the win in the second round of the NCAA Women’s Volleyball Tournament.

    Leaderboard

    Aces

    Carlton, 3

    Hall, 2

    Hammons, 2

    Kills

    Hall, 10

    Carlton, 9

    Forte, 9

    Ceasar, 8

    Digs

    McKissock, 12

    Hall, 11

    Ceasar, 8

    Blocks

    Dooley, 4

    Forte, 4

    Monserez, 3

    Carlton, 3

    What’s Next?

    The Gators will go on to the Regional Semifinal to take on the ninth seed Ohio State Buckeyes on April 18. The time has yet to be announced.

  • SB: Gators Held Scoreless at KSP Ahead of Bama Road Series

    SB: Gators Held Scoreless at KSP Ahead of Bama Road Series

    Photo by Brian Fox | ChompTalk.com

    After losing in Orlando in walk-off fashion on March 24, No. 5 Florida failed to seek revenge on No. 23 UCF in Gainesville Wednesday night.

    The Gators failed to score a run for the first time since 2019. The Knights tagged Florida southpaw Katie Chronister for four runs in the top of the first before she recorded an out. A leadoff double and back-to-back singles led to UCF cleanup hitter Shannon Doherty’s three-run bomb to left — her 10th homer this season. An inning later, Doherty poked a RBI single off Florida left-hander Ryleee Trlicek to extend the lead to 5-0.

    Trlicek gave up a two-run homer in the third inning but settled in nicely until freshman southpaw Haley Pittman came in for relief in the top of the sixth. Pittman, who made her collegiate debut, threw only 28 pitches and retired six straight batters to end a sluggish night at the plate on a positive note in the circle.

    Florida managed only seven baserunners on three singles and a pair of walks and hit-by-pitches. UCF right-hander Breanna Vasquez hurled her first complete game this season and struck out eight Gators — a season-high.

    Final (R/H/E)

    UCF: 7 / 10 / 1

    Florida : 0 / 3 / 0

    Pitching Decision

    Win: Breanna Vasquez (4-1)

    Loss: Katie Chronister (6-2)

    Individual Stats (season totals)

    Chronister: 0 IP, 4 H, 4 ER, 0 BB, 0 K (3.17 ERA)

    Trlicek: 5 IP, 6 H, 3 ER, 3 BB, 4 K (2.01 ERA)

    Pittman: 2 IP, 0 H, 0 ER, 0 BB, 1 K (0.00 ERA)

    1. Adams: 1-3, BB (.429 BA)
    2. Wilkie: 0-3 (.260 BA)
    3. Echols: 0-1, BB, HBP (.370 BA)
    4. Lindaman: 1-3 (.337 BA)
    5. Cottrill: 0-3, (.265 BA)
    6. Goddard: 0-1, HBP (.200 BA)
    7. A. Goelz: 1-3 (.273 BA)
    8. Longley: 0-1 (.130 BA)
    9. Lindsey: 0-3 (.346 BA)

    Huge Series Ahead

    The Gators will look to bounce back in Tuscaloosa this weekend where they’ll face No. 3 Alabama in a highly anticipated three-game series. Friday night’s opener is scheduled for 7 ET and will air on SEC Network+.