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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 pick up pair of wins over ranked Wildcats at Mary Nutter Classic

    SB: Gators pick up pair of wins over ranked Wildcats at Mary Nutter Classic

    Cathedral City, California – The seventh ranked Florida Gators kicked off the 2020 Mary Nutter Collegiate Classic with two nail-biting victories, defeating #5 Arizona and #25 Northwestern each by a score of 3-2. Florida improved to 14-1 overall (2-0 in the Mary Nutter Classic), while Arizona dropped to 11-3 overall (2-2) and Northwestern fell to 4-7 overall (0-2).

    Game 1 Recap

    Final: Florida 3, Arizona 2

    Win: Rylee Trlicek (5-0)

    Loss: Alyssa Denham (4-1)

    Starting pitchers, Rylee Trlicek and Mariah Lopez, were able to escape out the first two innings without allowing a run despite eight combined runners being left on base. In the bottom of the third, however, Florida took the first lead of the game thanks to Charla Echols’ seventh home run (1 RBI) of the season.

    Florida’s starting pitcher, Rylee Trlicek, was dealing against a formidable Arizona lineup until the fifth inning when the Wildcats broke the shutout. Starting catcher, Sharlize Palacios, singled to right field to drive in lead-off hitter, Alyssa Palomino.

    Florida quickly answered in the bottom half of the inning when Hannah Adams led off with a solo shot down the right-field line to put the Gators back on top, 2-1.

    In the top of the sixth, Arizona tied it back up on a throwing error by Trlicek that scored Isabella Dayton from third base.

    In the bottom half of the sixth, Kendyl Lindaman extended her hitting streak to thirteen games on a clutch RBI-single up the middle of the infield that drove in E.C. Taylor.

    With a 3-2 lead heading into the seventh, Trlicek shut down Arizona’s bats to cap off her complete game and secure Florida’s win.

    Game 2 Recap

    Final: Florida 3, Northwestern 2

    Win: Rylee Trlicek (6-0)

    Loss: Sydney Supple (0-1)

    Despite both teams having a plethora of baserunners early on, the game was scoreless until the sixth inning. Florida left five runners on base throughout the game, and Northwestern left a jaw-dropping twelve runners on base.

    Natalie Lugo got the start for Florida and threw 4.2 scoreless innings, while Sydney Supple got the nod for Northwestern. In the top of the sixth, Supple broke the tie on an RBI-single that snuck through the right side of the infield.

    Kendyl Lindaman once again came in clutch for the Gators, tying the game at 1 a piece on a solo home run to left-center. Lindaman’s homer extended her hitting streak to an astonishing fourteen games.

    Rylee Trlicek, who entered the circle in relief for Lugo in the fifth inning, ran into some trouble in the seventh. Northwestern added on one more run, giving the Wildcats the 2-1 advantage heading into the last half inning.

    It was time for the Gators to rally, and they did just that. Cheyenne Lindsey led off the inning with a bunt-single. The next batter, Sophia Reynoso, got hit by a pitch, and Northwestern pulled Sydney Supple in favor of right-hander Kenna Wilkey.

    Wilkey failed to deliver, recording just one out before Hannah Adams roped a walk-off single into right field that scored Lindsey and Reynoso.

    Looking Ahead

    The Gators play another doubleheader tomorrow, and they’ll once again have their work cut out for them. The Gators will face #16 Arizona State at 5:30 ET followed by #1 UCLA at 8:30 ET. Arizona State currently sits at 10-2 after defeating Auburn on Thursday in its first game of the Mary Nutter Classic. As for UCLA, the Bruins are undefeated at 11-0 on the season.

  • WGYM Liveblog: No. 8 Alabama at No. 2 Florida

    WGYM Liveblog: No. 8 Alabama at No. 2 Florida

    Tonight in the O-Dome, the Lady Gators fight to lock up the SEC regular season title, fighting against the only SEC team left with just one loss – Alabama. If Florida wins tonight, it’ll be mathematically impossible for any SEC team to have a better win/loss record than UF. Additionally, the Gators will be on the hunt for another high 197+ or even a 198+ score to improve their standings as RQS officially takes effect after this weekend’s meets.

    If you’re new here, here’s a quick rundown of the things you should be looking for to see how the Gators’ night is going:

    • stuck or nearly-stuck landings on vault
    • 90-degree handstands on bars and stuck landings on their dismounts
    • building momentum on beam, with no balance checks or hesitations, and resetting quickly if someone falls
    • well-controlled lunges or sticks in floor tumbling landings and high performance energy throughout floor choreography

    Lineups for tonight!

    https://twitter.com/mycluttereddesk/status/1230986745107316738?s=20

    Looks like lineups are the same as last week, for those who caught my Auburn recap. Leah Clapper is still in for Amelia Hundley on beam, and she’s anchoring, so that’ll be big for her. Foberg, Skaggs, and Alexander are all three in vault again, so that means Alyssa Baumann did not make it in this week, despite having that 10.0 SV vault.

    Alabama will not be an easy opponent for the Gators tonight, though. The Tide’s strongest competitors include Lexi Graber, their lone all-arounder performer tonight, and Shallon Olsen, a strong three-eventer who has continued to compete elite in Canada and vy for Tokyo while competing in NCAA. Senior leader Shea Mahoney is also spectacular to watch on floor, and freshman phenom Makarri Doggette will still make important contributions on bars and beam, despite being limited by a nagging knee injury.

    Warmups are finally finishing up, so get ready to get started, y’all!

    6:01pm: Rotation one, let’s go!

    Foberg, VT: FTY, floats it, and just a small adjustment on the landing! That’s the way to start.

    Dickson, UB: Good first handstand, bail is a little angled? Good next handstand, toe on is nice, HUGE Tkachev! Half in half out, looked stuck to me! A good start for Bama as well.

    6:03pm: Skaggs, VT: FTY, piked a little early? Small hop on the landing.

    Gaskins, UB: Low bar handstand is a little shy. Maloney is good, pak is too whippy and she catches too close, has to recast. Short last handstand. DLO is super whippy, VERY close to the bar, bounce back. She didn’t come off, but that was not a good showing for her.

    6:05pm: Alexander, VT: FTY, huuuuuge as usual and she STICKS! The crowd erupts! That should be a great score. I think they just gave her the “perfect” 9.95 for a full??? Yes they did!

    Graber, UB: Gienger, caught close but handles it. Transition is fine. Sticks her dismount with some leg sep.

    6:07pm: Schoenherr, VT: 1.5, liiiiiittle baby slide. Yeah, replay shows left foot moved forward.

    Givens, UB: Good first handstand for her. Jaeger is good, could use a little more toe point but I’m being picky. Bail is floppy but hit 90 at some point. Last handstand fine, not exact but I don’t hink deductable. DLO dismount, couldn’t see but I think it was a stick based on team reaction.

    6:09pm: Thomas, VT: Y1.5, hop forward, and I think had a second hop that she tried to cover with a salute? Hard to see from here.

    Mahoney, UB: Good first handstands. Bail a little piked? Short handstand back on the high bar. Tkachev good. Stuck full in! Good finish, needs work on details.

    6:11pm: Richards, VT:  Y1.5, stutter step backward but very nice in the air, straight on this week rather than being off to the side like she has been.

    Doggette, UB: Good first handstand. Huge Tkachev directly to pak, legs glued together. Great low bar handstand, last handstand maybe a hair short? DLO stuck like a dart into the mat. Good for her!

    AFTER ONE: UF 49.45, BAMA 49.35

    https://twitter.com/eric13578/status/1230992354452164608?s=20

    Some score updates for y’all: Alexander leads vault with that 9.95, while Schoenherr and Thomas both earned 9.9s. Foberg, Skaggs, and Richards all went 9.85. On bars, Doggette leads with a 9.95, and Dickson and Mahoney both earned 9.875s. Givens scored a 9.85, while Graber went 9.8, and the dropped score was Gaskins at 9.525.

    https://twitter.com/samisadancer/status/1230995091021541377?s=20

    6:19pm: Rotation 2!

    Burgess, VT: FTY, maybe a little piked at the end, but she sticks! Great start for them.

    Richards, UB: Maloney, a little leg sep as she started. Bail is good. Last handstand is lovely! DLO slide back.

    6:21pm: Desch, VT: FTY, small slide back but nice distance!

    Gowey, UB: Great first handstand! Ray is cloooose, ooh. Good handstands into the pak, which was also clean. Last handstand maybe a hair short. DLO STUCK! And so straight in the air, love that.

    6:23pm: Mahoney, VT: FTY, small adjustment there but Bama’s landings as a whole so far look more consistent than Florida’s….

    Hundley, UB: Good first handstand. Maloney to pak is clean. Second handstand a wee bit short. Some leg sep in her Van Leeuwen but gets a lot of float in it. Full in is stuck! Crowd goes crazy for her.

    6:25pm: Blanco, VT: FTY, looked stuck from here?? Good for her!

    Skaggs, UB: Snaps that first handstand into place, Tkachev to pak is so grogeous in that over-straddle. Good last handstand. DLO slide back. Other than the dismount, that was one of the best routines she’s done in a minute.

    6:27pm: Olsen, VT: This is a treat, y’all. A Yurchenko double and it’s stuck???? Wow! Definitely piked down a little but that’s huge for Alabama.

    Thomas, UB: Good first handstand on low bar. Maloney just floats, uprise to pak, legs glued together. Handstand is good, Van Leeuwen not as floaty as usual but no leg sep. DLO slide back. No 10 chants this week.

    6:29pm: Graber, VT: Y1.5, wow! What a stick. That was so clean and she flew so far, that should be a huge score for Alabama.

    Schoenherr, UB: First handstand a little sketch. Jaeger is good, not as big as I’ve seen her do. Next handstand was good, following a little archy, so was the bail. Last handstand was definitely short, double front half out with a hop. Not the exclamation point Florida was hoping for.

    AFTER TWO: UF 98.8, BAMA 98.675

    Like I said, Alabama will not go down without a fight. This is the closest meet at the halfway point Florida has had since LSU.

    https://twitter.com/emwatchesgym/status/1230998450004774913?s=20

    https://twitter.com/samisadancer/status/1230997992888524800?s=20

    Scores: Thomas and Hundley both earned 9.9s, meaning Doggette will win bars. Graber will also win vault with her HUGE 9.975.

    6:38pm: Richards, BB: Bhs loso loso, super steady, wow. Switch to straddle, good positions in the air. Side aerial back full, “rides the elevator” as KJC would say, so not a true stick but darn close.

    6:40pm: Klopfer, FX: Double back to kick it off, good control on the landing. Good positions in the air on her dance elements. 1.5 to front lay, danced out of it. Double pike to finish, chest low but brings it right up. She’s clearly super stoked with that, team trying to create some hype for themselves.

    6:40pm: SJS, BB: Punch front, small check but doesn’t let it get to her. Bhs loso, and she’s off. Maybe it did get to her? Oof. Another check. Switch half to beat is good. Handstand to loso to back full, she’s a little off to the side but it looks like she stuck?

    6:43pm: Olsen, FX: Double double, even the Gator crowd appreciated that, but her landing was a little low. Good position on her switch leap, back to back dance elements were less distinct but looked like they hit 180 okay. Front through to double back was also low? It’s a 2pass routine, she shouldn’t still be running out of steam.

    6:45pm: Baumann, BB: Switch to split, great. So sharp in her presentation. Bhs loso, dead on. Switch half, looked a little short of split??? She’s tight tonight. Side aerial is great. Roundoff 1.5 twist is STUCK cold.

    6:47pm: Blanco, FX: Double pike to open, nice and high. Double tuck, almost had the two-foot stick but moved one foot to the lunge almost out of habit, it seemed. Front full front lay for her last pass, definitely a strong showing for her, though I wish she’d performed it a little more.

    6:49pm: Gowey, BB: Switch to split, definitely tight on those positions. Bhs loso loso, a little lean but locks it down. Front aerial sissone, great. Full turn, good. Gainer full, stuck! There are definitely nerves present tonight but she did a good job of controlling them.

    6:51pm: Mahoney, FX: Super high double tuck to open, and her opening choreo is so great. Looks like she lost a little control coming out of that dance element. Front full front lay second pass, good control there. Double pike to finish, chest a little low but good control.

    6:53pm: Thomas, BB: Split leap is lovely. One-arm bhs to loso, totally straight. Front aerial to beat to korbut, good. Side aerial to back full, looked like a bounce in place from here? Hard to say, I’ll check the replay.

    6:55pm: Desch, FX: Double pike to open, good height. Marathon combo pass here. 1.5 to frton half to split to front tuck, rebounds out of it pretty significantly. Dance elements are great. Double tuck to finish, solid. Another good one for Bama.

    6:57pm: Clapper, BB: Bhs loso loso, she’s patient with it and doesn’t bobble. Full turn is good. Switch to split, those looked good but hard to see her front leg from here. Side aerial back full stuck! That’ll let them drop the fall, good for her. It’s a career-high 9.975! Wow!

    6:59pm: Graber, FX: Full in to open, a little bouncey. Straddle and wolf positions are great in her dance elements. Front through to double pike is good too…. and she’s done? Okay, I’m starting to get the outrage about two-pass routines.

    AFTER THREE: UF 148.475, BAMA 148.1

    Beam gave Florida a decent lead just by the hair of its chinny-chin-chin, but that’s why we have that drop-score rule.

    https://twitter.com/dstr0y3r/status/1231005805715087360?s=20

    https://twitter.com/mycluttereddesk/status/1231006827694804992?s=20

    7:07pm: Klopfer, BB: Single wolf turn, good. Front aerial to bhs, I’ll give her the connection. Leap series is good. Cat leap to side aerial is lovely. Roundoff 1.5 twist, sticks it like glue. Great start for Bama!

    7:09pm: Richards, FX: DLO, just barely bounces into a lunge. Leap series was good. Front through to double back, chest down but brings it up quickly. VAC and choreography Jeremy Miranda is clearly excited, that’s a great start for them.

    7:11pm: Gaskins, BB: Candle mount! Another difficult, unique skill the Gator crowd appreciated from the away team. Side aerial to beat is solid. Full turn, deep knee bend but no balance check. Split jump from side stand – okay, that was pretty, but like why? This isn’t elite. Bhs loso with some KNEES but she stays steady. Switch to split is good. Gainer full, some small adjustments with both feet.

    7:13pm: Gowey, FX: Front lay to Rudi to stag is a little bouncey out of it. Great positions in the air for her dance elements. Double back is a little higher than she expects and has an awkward bounce with her chest low on the landing. Not her best.

    7:15pm: Olsen, BB: Switch to split, positions did not look clean from this angle. Bhs loso, good. Full turn is good. Front aerial, little check. Bhs bhs double pike – clearly keeping that from her elite training – a little low in the chest and I think a step back.

    7:17pm: Hundley, FX: whip double tuck, great control. Double pike, maybe a little overdone, little foot slide in the lunge. Dance elements looked fine, big cheer when she bellyflops onto the floor, ha. 1.5 to front lay, dances right out and the crowd goes CRAZY as she finishes.

    7:19pm: Blanco, BB: Oooh, pretty mount sequence. Front aerial, solid. She’s got such great extension. Bhs loso, big bobble but finesses out of it without falling. Switch to switch half??? Did not make it all the way around. Roundoff double full, little slide.

    7:21pm: SJS, FX: Double arabian looked a little wild in the air, but landing was good. 1.5 to front lay, bouncey coming out of it. Dance elements are good, big cheer for her Shushunova as well. Double back, that was a great one.

    7:23pm: Doggette, BB: Full turn to start, good. Bhs loso, great. Split from side stand from her as well – she didn’t even come from elite, what the heck? Switch half to beat, lovely. Side aerial to back full, small adjustment.

    7:25pm: Thomas, FX: This opening choreo is the sharpest I’ve seen her do it, she’s on tonight. DLO to open, just lays it back. 1.5 to front lay, two foot stick for a second before she does her split jump. Dance elements looked good to me. Double pike, took a step forward so she was a little short. No 10 chants, surprisingly, but other than the final tumbling landing, it was a good one.

    7:27pm: Full turn is good. She’s using the music on this one, I love that. Bhs 2foot layout! Love that. Switch to split 3/4, that’s different. Front toss through to scale, crowd loves that! Stick on her gainer full – she’s had a good night.

    7:29pm: Baumann, FX: Serving me all the drama in her opening choreo. Double tuck, great control there. 1.5 to front full, single step into her pose, lovely. Double pike maybe the tiniest bit short? Or maybe it was the sting mat? Hard to tell. 9.975!

    And with that win, the Gators secure themselves the regular season SEC championship! Owen even dumped confetti on them, that’s so cute!

    FINAL: UF 198.050, BAMA 197.45

    Even losing, Alabama should be happy with that score. 197.450 will be a solid away score for them as RQS is about to kick in.

    Vault will go to Lexi Graber with her huge 9.975 for her stuck Y1.5. Bars goes to Makarri Doggette with a 9.95. Beam will be Leah Clapper with her career-high 9.975, and that’s her first-ever event win. Floor is Alyssa Baumann with another 9.975. Trinity Thomas will win the all-around yet again, with an enormous 39.65, making it her 5th week in a row going 39.65 or better.

    That’s all from me here tonight, guys. Check out our Facebook Live coming up from the press conference!

  • BSB: No. 2 Gators to face No. 1 Miami in early season showdown

    BSB: No. 2 Gators to face No. 1 Miami in early season showdown

    Despite emphasizing that this weekend’s series means little in the big picture, Kevin O’Sullivan’s squad will be in the national spotlight once again.

    Photo by Kristen Oliff / ChompTalk.com

    The Florida Gators will travel to Coral Gables to face rival Miami for an early season showdown that features the nation’s top two ranked teams, according to D1Baseball.com.

    Both teams head into the matchup undefeated after the first week of ball. Florida has used a power offense that has hit at a .327 clip thus far, but the Gators also received quality starting pitching out of its Friday and Saturday starters on opening weekend. Tommy Mace and Jack Leftwich each earned wins against Marshall. Both will need to have solid outings against a good Miami offense. It is unknown who Florida will throw on Sunday as head coach Kevin O’Sullivan left doubt after sophomore Nick Pogue struggled in his first start of the year.

    Through five games, Florida has used all but two pitchers on its roster (Nolan Crisp, Trey Van Der Weide).

    The Gators have dominated the series against the Hurricanes since 2009, having taken 30 of the last 38 decisions.

    Miami enters with a roster loaded with experience and talent. The Hurricanes are 4-0 and have scored 35 runs in those games against Rutgers and Kent State.

    Five Hurricanes are hitting .400 or better with at least ten at-bats. Adrian Del Castillo leads the way, hitting .538 with two homers and 8 RBI.

    Friday starter Brian Van Belle threw six innings of shutout baseball in the opener while striking out ten. Saturday starter Chris McMahon threw five innings, allowing two runs and striking out nine. Sunday’s go-to guy, Slade Cecconi went six innings, while giving up one run and k-ing 8.

    O’Sullivan’s squad heads to Coral Gables, once again looking to take a series from an in-state rival. Miami, no doubt, will remember the bad taste last year’s series left in their mouth.

    But like O’Sullivan said, “this weekend has no bearing on what you do the rest of the season. If you play great this weekend it doesn’t mean that you will be playing great in June.”

    The series opens at Alex Rodriguez Park at Mark Light Field on Friday at 7:00 PM. All the games can be streamed via ACC Network +.

    Pitching Matchups:
    Friday: RHP Tommy Mace (1-0) v Brian Van Belle (1-0)
    Saturday: RHP Jack Leftwich (1-0) v Chris McMahon (1-0)
    Sunday: TBA v Slade Cecconi (1-0)

  • BSB: Isaac Nunez walks off Jacksonville in extras

    BSB: Isaac Nunez walks off Jacksonville in extras

    Photo by Kristen Oliff / ChompTalk.com


    The Florida Gators picked up their fifth of the season in walk off fashion on Tuesday. True freshman Isaac Nunez came up to the plate with runners on first and second and two down.

    Nunez fell behind in the count but still drove the ball to right center field scoring the game-winning run. It was Florida’s first walk off and extra innings win of the season.

    After a subpar performance by Jordan Butler, the Gators bullpen kept it together and also kept the Dolphins off the scoreboard.

    Game Summary

    The first inning was a big inning for the Jacksonville Dolphins. They scored all three of their runs with one swing of the bat. Scott Dubrule reached second base on an error by Austin Langworthy. With two outs, Corey Heffron drew a walk and then came up Christian Coipel. The Miami native homered to right field to give Jacksonville an early 3-0 advantage.

    Florida would begin to cut into Jacksonville’s lead in the bottom of the second. Sophomore Kendrick Calilao knocked a  liner to center field for a single. Freshman Nathan Hickey would also single up the middle, moving Calilao to third. Next, Brady Smith would loft a sacrifice fly to right, scoring Calilao.

    After recording the first out of the third, Jordan Butler was pulled from the game. Butler threw 2.1 innings, allowing two hits, three runs (none earned), one walk and recorded one strikeout. Freshman Tyler Nesbitt would come in relief.

    After a clean top of the third, Florida added another run to make it 3-2. Jud Fabian led the inning off with a double down the left field line. Austin Langworthy then singled but Fabian was held at third. Kirby McMullen struck out swinging but the ball went past the catcher and allowed Fabian to score on the passed ball.

    Nesbitt would be pulled after giving up a leadoff hit in the top of the fifth. His line: 1.2 innings allowing two hits, no runs, no walks and two strikeouts. Nesbitt was replaced by another freshman in left-handed pitcher Ryan Cabarcas.

    After a strong inning, Cabarcas got wild and was immediately taken out of the game. Cabarcas pitched one inning allowing no hits, no runs, one walk and a strikeout. Cabarcas was replaced by sophomore David Luethje.

    The Gators tied the game in the bottom of the fifth thanks to Fabian’s leadoff solo home run. It was Fabian’s second home run of the season.

    Both Florida and Jacksonville had their chances to take the lead but neither team was able to get the hits when they needed them most.

    Luethje had a quick appearance as he pitched 1.1 innings allowing one hit, no runs, no walks and one strikeout. Luethje was replaced by another sophomore in Ben Specht.

    Florida had a terrific opportunity to take the lead in the bottom of the seventh. The bases were loaded with one out and Kendrick Calilao coming to the plate. Calilao came up many times in clutch situations and would usually pull through. However, Calilao didn’t come through as he grounded into a 4-6-3 rally killing double play.

    Jacksonville came close to scoring in the top of the eighth and ninth innings but couldn’t prevail. Ben Specht had an outstanding night as he tossed 2.2 innings allowing no hits, no runs, two walks and two strikeouts. Specht was replaced by Florida’s Sunday starter Nick Pogue.

    Pogue held it down in the top of the tenth, setting up the drama. He only threw the one inning allowing a hit, a walk but struck out two.

    The bottom of the tenth started off with two quick outs for the Gators. It looked like the game was going into the eleventh inning. Catcher Nathan Hickey worked a full count and then draw a walk. Cal Greenfield came in as a pinch runner for Hickey. Brady Smith also worked the count full and drew a walk.

    With runners on second and first and two down, the freshman Isaac Nunez came to the plate. It was Nunez’s first at bat of the night as he came in a defensive substitution at shortstop.

    Jacksonville’s pitcher Chris Mauloni got Nunez into an 0-2 count. Mauloni tried to pitch Nunez outside but left it a little over the plate. Nunez went with the pitch and lined the game winning hit over the second baseman’s glove as the Florida dugout erupted and charged onto the field to attack their freshman.

    What’s next?

    The Florida Gators will take a day off before taking on the #1 Miami Hurricanes. On D1 Baseball, Miami is the #1 team in the country and Florida is the #2 team. This will be Florida’s first road weekend series of the 2020 season.

    Junior right-handed pitcher Tommy Mace will be on the mound for the Florida Gators. Redshirt-senior right-handed pitcher Brian Van Belle will get the start for the Miami Hurricanes. You can watch this game Friday night at 7 pm ET on the ACC Network Extra.

  • SB: Lugo tosses no-hitter as Gators run-rule Jacksonville in midweek action

    SB: Lugo tosses no-hitter as Gators run-rule Jacksonville in midweek action

    Photo by Brian Fox / ChompTalk.com

    Gainesville, FL – The newly seventh ranked Florida Gators (11-1) hosted the Jacksonville Dolphins (7-3) on Wednesday night at KSP Stadium in the final game of its long homestand. It was Jacksonville’s first road game of the season as the Dolphins hosted back-to-back weekend invitationals to kick off the season. Florida entered the contest with a 22-0 all-time record versus Jacksonville by a combined score of 161-15. The Gators also entered the matchup with seven run-rule victories and eleven shutout wins all-time over Jacksonville.

    Natalie Lugo (4-1, 1.52 ERA) got the start for Florida, while Alyssa Bilodeau (4-1, 1.40 ERA) got the nod for Jacksonville.

    Final: Florida 8, Jacksonville 0 (5)

    Win: Natalie Lugo (5-1)

    Loss: Alyssa Bilodeau (4-2)

    Game Recap

    Alyssa Bilodeau’s earned run average quickly plummeted from 1.40 to 3.50 in the first inning before being pulled from the circle in favor of freshman Skylar Whitty. Florida second baseman, Hannah Adams, led off the bottom of the first with a four-pitch walk. Kendyl Lindaman and Charla Echols followed that up with back-to-back homers to give the Gators an early 3-0 advantage.

    In the bottom of the second, Florida loaded the bases with one out as Charla Echols once again stepped up to the plate. Jacksonville managed to work its way out of the jam, however, as Echols lined out to the shortstop, who doubled up Kendyl Lindaman at first base to record the third out.

    In the third, Florida’s hit parade continued as Jordan Roberts notched her seventeenth RBI of the season on a single through the left side that drove in Baylee Goddard. A few batters later, freshman E.C. Taylor successfully stole home while Sophia Reynoso got caught in a rundown between first and second base. Reynoso safely made it back to first base and the Gators extended their lead to 5-0.

    As Florida’s bats continued to heat up, Jacksonville struggled to get much going. Florida’s starting pitcher, Natalie Lugo, struck out nine batters en route to her first no-hitter of the season. Lugo allowed just two baserunners the entire game, and needed just 70 pitches to retire fifteen Jacksonville hitters.

    In the fourth, Florida added on three more runs thanks to Julia Cottrill’s RBI-infield-single followed by Jordan Roberts’ RBI-double down the left field line. Jordan Matthews topped off the inning with a pinch-hit bases loaded walk to extend Florida’s lead to 8-0.

    This put the Gators in position to close the game out in the top half of the fifth via the run rule. They did just that thanks to a 1-2-3 inning from Lugo.

    With the win, Florida improves to 12-1 on the season, while Jacksonville drops to 7-4 overall (0-1 on the road).

    Notable Stats:

    • Florida improves to 23-0 all-time versus Jacksonville by a combined score of 169-15
    • Florida records its 12th shutout & 8th run-rule victory ever against Jacksonville
    • Charla Echols hit her team-leading 5th HR of the season
    • Lindaman and Echols are the first two Gators to hit back-to-back HRs this season
    • Natalie Lugo threw her first complete-game-no-hitter of the season
    • JU RHP Alyssa Bilodeau’s ERA dropped from 1.40 to 3.50 after allowing 3 ER in 0 IP

    Looking Ahead

    Florida will travel across the country to Palm Springs, California, for the Mary Nutter Collegiate Classic this weekend. There, the Gators will play some elite competition, including #1 UCLA, #5 Arizona, #16 Arizona State, and #25 Northwestern. Despite the leap in level of competition, Florida head coach, Tim Walton, feels confident in his team heading into the weekend. Walton said the Gators should have no problem “adjust[ing] back to where [they] need to be” and noted that the “key is for [Florida’s] pitchers to keep the opponent to under two runs.” This will certainly not be an easy task, considering the fact that UCLA, Arizona and Nebraska all average at least six runs per game.

    As for Jacksonville, the Dolphins will look to bounce back this weekend in Mobile, Alabama, where they will play five games against three different teams (Stephen F. Austin, South Alabama, Memphis) in three days.

  • WBB: Lavender Briggs named SEC Freshman of the Week

    WBB: Lavender Briggs named SEC Freshman of the Week

    Photo by Kristen Oliff / ChompTalk.com

    Florida freshman guard Lavender Briggs was named the SEC Freshman of the Week, the conference announced on Tuesday.

    The Provo, Utah native averaged 20.5 points, 7 rebounds, and 3 assists in a pair of Florida wins (defeated Mississippi on Thursday and Missouri on Sunday).

    Briggs is the first player to gather SEC weekly honors since 2018, and the first freshman since 2017.

    Briggs is leading Florida in points, averaging 14.3 per contest. She has also crashed the boards at a high level, contributing 6.3 per game.

    The Gators are currently 14-11 overall and 5-7 in SEC play. They will travel to Tuscaloosa to take on Alabama on Thursday.

  • BSB: Gators rout Jacksonville 13-3 in first midweek game of 2020

    BSB: Gators rout Jacksonville 13-3 in first midweek game of 2020

    Photo by Kristen Oliff / ChompTalk.com


    The Florida Gators earned their first road win of the season as they defeated the Jacksonville Dolphins 13-3 on Tuesday.

    The Gators offense continued to stay hot as they scored thirteen runs on sixteen hits. Sophomore Jud Fabian had another big day as he went 3-5 with a double and two RBIs. Freshman Josh Rivera also had a big day as he went 3-5 with a two-run double.

    Freshman left-handed pitcher Hunter Barco made his first collegiate start. He didn’t have the dominant performance fans were hoping for but the Jacksonville native had a solid outing and will be available for their weekend series at Miami.

    Game Summary

    The first two innings of the ballgame were quiet as neither team was able to put runs on the board. Both teams had runners on base but their pitchers were able to keep them from crossing home plate.

    In the top of the third, Florida got their first run on the board. Catcher Cal Greenfield hit a leadoff double to left centerfield. Jud Fabian would follow that up with a double of his own, scoring Greenfield. The Gators had runners on the corners but couldn’t failed to add to their lead. After giving up a leadoff single in the bottom of third, Barco was pulled from the game. He pitched two innings allowing three hits, no runs, one walk and three strikeouts. True freshman Nick Ficarrotta came in relief for Barco.

    The fourth inning was also kind to the Gators as they scored three runs in the frame. With one out, Nathan Hickey ripped a double down the right field line. First baseman Kris Armstrong was get hit by a pitch, giving Florida runners on first and second. Josh Rivera would then single through the 5-6 hole loading up the bases. Florida would add a run to their lead thanks to an error by Jacksonville’s third baseman. Fabian then singled to left bringing in Armstrong making it 3-0. Austin Langworthy also drew a base loaded walk scoring Rivera and extending their lead 4-0.

    Jacksonville would cut into its deficit in the bottom of the fifth. Senior Ruben Someillan led off with a single through the left side. Scott Dubrule would double down the left field line scoring Someillan. Dubrule would later score on a dropped strike three cutting Florida’s lead in half.

    Nick Ficarrotta was releived by another freshman Ryan Cabarcas. Ficarrotta tossed two innings allowing one hit, one run and no walks. Cabarcas struggled in his short outing as he only pitched 0.1 of an inning allowing a hit, a run and struck out one. Junior Justin Alintoff came in after Cabarcas and silenced Jacksonville’s bats.

    In the top of the sixth inning, Florida broke the game wide open. Rivera led the inning with a single up the middle. A Greenfield single to shortstop brought Fabian to the plate. Fabian recorded his third hit with a single to left loading the bases. Langworthy would once again draw a bases loaded walk bringing in another run for Florida. Kirby McMullen would get hit by a pitch with a 1-2 count scoring Greenfield before cleanup hitter Cory Acton came to plate and also walked in a run as he ran the count full.  A new pitcher came in for Jacksonville but that wouldn’t stop Florida from scoring. Jacob Young singled to left making it 8-2. Hickey would also draw a walk with the bases loaded before ending the inning.

    The Gators would add two more runs to their lead thanks to two pinch hit singles. Nick Blasucci singled through the left side scoring Young who lead off the inning with a walk. Brock Edge pinch it or Fabian and didn’t disappoint. Edge singled through the right side and score Blasucci. Edge is 2-2 on the season with two pinch hit base knocks.

    After a strong performance, Justin Alintoff was pulled after the eighth inning. Alintoff threw 3.2 innings allowing two hits, one run, one walk and six strikeouts. Freshman Hunter Mink made his collegiate debut and closed the game for Florida. Mink threw one inning allowing a hit, no runs, no walks and a strikeout.

    What’s next?

    The Florida Gators will be on the diamond again tomorrow against the Jacksonville Dolphins. The Gators will be back home for their second midweek game of the season. No starting pitchers have been announced by either side. You can watch this game on Wednesday night at 6 pm ET on the SEC Network+.

  • MBB: Gators defeat Arkansas; move to 9-4 in SEC play

    MBB: Gators defeat Arkansas; move to 9-4 in SEC play

    Final: Florida 73, Arkansas 59

    Photo by Mary Holt / Getty Images

    The Florida Gators defeated Arkansas 73-59 to push their league record to 9-4. 

    How it happened:

    Florida came out of the gates like they were still hot from Saturday’s Vanderbilt game. Florida jumped out to an early lead of 16-5, causing Arkansas to call a time out. Out of the break Florida continued to stay hot and forced another Hogs timeout at 21-9. Florida somehow kept pushing, in what looked like a game they would run away with, jumping out to as much as a 19 point lead in the first half.

    A whistle happy crew forced Kerry Blackshear to the bench with two early fouls. In all, the Gators were called for 4 fouls in the first 3 and 1/2 minutes of the first half.

    BUT WAIT… I doubt that you have heard this before, but the Gators endured a scoring drought. Through the last six minutes of the first half and first four minutes of the second the Gators managed a total of just six points. This allowed the Hogs to bring it down to a one possession game with 16 minutes left in the second.

    Noah Locke was called for a questionable technical foul as an Arkansas player was trying to get into the Gator huddle, Locke pushed him away. This was reviewed and upheld by the referees.

    Throughout the second half this game resembled a heavy weight boxing match, where the teams traded blow after blow but neither could get a firm enough grip on the game. For the Gators, they had multiple chances to extend the lead to double digits and finally give themselves some breathing room. The Razorbacks were just looking for a lead, however, neither happened until the Gators took a 62-52 lead with five minutes to play in the game.

    Florida would quickly extend the lead to 14, forcing Arkansas to move to a full court press, and got a few quick easy buckets out of it, closing the game to 10 with 2:45 to go. However, this would be too little, too late as Keyontae Johnson and Florida held on to the lead and extends the win streak to 3 and the Gators seem to be rolling headed into the hardest stretch of their season and then the SEC tournament.

    Keyontae Johnson had his best game of the season totaling 24 points on 4 of 7 from the field, adding 15 free throws.

    Quick Stats:

    Johnson: 24 points, 10 rebounds

    Locke: 11 points, 1 rebound

    Nembhard: 17 points, 7 rebounds 4 assists

    Lewis: 7 points, 7 rebounds

    Blackshear: 2 points, 5 rebounds, 4 personal fouls

    Fast Facts:

    FG: 50%

    3FG: 37%

    FT: 84%

    Rebounds +/-: +10

    TO: 15

    Up Next:

    Florida travels to Lexington to meet the Kentucky Wiildcats for the first time this year on Saturday. Florida hopes to come out with a win in Rupp and continue this good play we have seen from the Gators since Valentine’s Day.

  • LAX: Shannon Kavanagh named US Lacrosse’s Player of the Week

    LAX: Shannon Kavanagh named US Lacrosse’s Player of the Week

    Photo by Brian Fox / ChompTalk.com

    It’s a chilly afternoon in College Park, Maryland. The score, 14-14, and the time remaining, 49 seconds, glow in big, red digital font on the scoreboard.

    Midfielder Shannon Kavanagh has racked up seven goals in 59 minutes. A career-high.

    With 49 seconds left to play, the junior captain makes it eight to secure her team’s first victory over the then-No. 1 Terps in school history.

    “(She) caught the ball under (stress) and had the composure to finish, and I think that’s what we’ve been seeing out of the growth of this entire team,” coach Amanda O’Leary said about Kavanagh in the final play of the game.

    Last season, Kavanagh took one shot for zero goals against then-No. 2 Maryland at home.

    But this year, after notching eight goals on 13 shots and five draw controls, Kavanagh earned the first national accolade of her collegiate career. She was named US Lacrosse’s Player of the Week earlier today.

    After Saturday’s matchup, the Smithtown, New York, native rose up individual school rankings. She is now tied for the second-most goals in a game in program history, behind only Lindsey Ronbeck with nine. With 171 points and 117 goals, Kavanagh sits at No. 10 and No. 11 all-time for the Gators, respectively.

    It is also worth noting that her and teammate Sarah Reznick’s — who had a personal record of 14 saves — performances just south of the Mason-Dixon line this past weekend launched Florida up 10 spots in this week’s IWLCA poll.

    It will face No. 12 Loyola this Saturday at noon at Donald R. Dizney Stadium as the No. 4 team in the country.

  • Three Takeaways from Florida-Marshall Series

    Three Takeaways from Florida-Marshall Series

    Photo by Kristen Oliff / ChompTalk.com


    The Florida Gators baseball program
    had a great weekend as they dominated the Marshall Thundering Herd. The pitching staff had an overall good weekend. There were some minor issues that need to be fixed before the Miami series and conference play, but solid nonetheless. The Gators bats were awake all weekend long as they hit for a .327 average with seven home runs and had a 1.060 OPS for the weekend. There were also a few players that surprised a lot of people with their production. Here are the three takeaways from the Florida Gators vs. Marshall Thundering Herd series.

    1. Pitching staff looks the part

    The Florida Gators had one of the worst pitching staffs in the SEC last season. A big reason why was because of their youth and inexperience. Most of those pitchers that struggled last season now have a full season under their belt and looked much improve in week one.

    Tommy Mace had a good opening day start as he pitched six innings allowing eight hits, two runs, no walks and six strikeouts. Jack Leftwich was outstanding in his first start of his junior season. Leftwich pitched six innings allowing two hits, no runs, no walks and eight strikeouts. Nick Pogue had a rough first start but Christian Scott silenced Marshall’s bats and the Florida lineup did their job. Freshmen pitchers Hunter Barco, Brandon Sproat, Ryan Cabarcas, Tyler Nesbitt and Nick Ficarrotta all had excellent collegiate debuts.

    2. The Florida offense gets off to a hot start

    After not playing any meaningful games for a while, some offenses come out of the gates slow but not the Gators. Florida’s offense teed off on Marshall’s pitching staff as they were able to get runners on base and get the hits when they needed them most.

    Third baseman Kirby McMullen is leading the Gators in hitting with a .625 batting average. He also has three doubles, three RBIs and a 1.769 OPS. Florida also hit seven home runs including four from their series finale. Cleanup hitter Cory Acton had a terrific weekend as he batted .444 with a home run and a 1.421 OPS. Jud Fabian was also one of Florida’s top hitters as he hit .357 with a double, home run and a 1.081 OPS. Other Gators that had a big opening weekend was Nathan Hickey, Cal Greenfield, Austin Langworthy and Brady Smith.  

    3. Early surprises

    Going into the season, many weren’t certain how Florida’s would look come Friday night. Many people were especially surprised when the lineup was released on Florida’s twitter page. To see Jacob Young and Brady Smith on the bench was a surprise to many, if not all.

    Fans and media alike were even more surprised to see Kirby McMullen at third and Cal Greenfield behind the plate. However, those guys showed that Kevin O’Sullivan knows what he’s doing. McMullen started off as a pitcher at Florida but is now batting third and is the team’s leader in hitting. Greenfield’s offensive production has been nothing impressive in his first two years at Florida. He looks a lot more comfortable at the plate and squared the ball up a few times this weekend. With Greenfield’s defensive ability, he could be one of the top catchers in the SEC if he continues to produce at the plate.

    __________

    In the latest D1Baseball rankings, the Gators have moved up to No. 2. The team in front of them? The Miami Hurricanes.

    The Gators will travel to Coral Gables this weekend for a three game series that opens on Friday.