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  • SB: OF Jade Caraway transfers to Florida

    SB: OF Jade Caraway transfers to Florida

    On Thursday, Florida Gators softball coach Tim Walton announced the addition of OF Jade Caraway to the program.

    Caraway is a rising junior who is transferring from North Carolina State and will have two years of eligibility at UF.

    Caraway, a native of Winter Garden, FL, has competed successfully in the ACC and led the Wolfpack with a program record .389 batting average as a freshman.

    In two years Caraway has hit two home runs and driven in 38 while batting primarily in the leadoff position for NC State.

    Per Florida softball SID, Herb Brooks, Caraway will be eligible for the 2019 season.

    Caraway announced her decision to transfer after NC State fired head coach Shawn Rychcik after six seasons at the helm.

  • FB: Gators land commitment from OG Riley Simonds

    FB: Gators land commitment from OG Riley Simonds

    Photo by: Rusty Mansell / 247Sports

    The Florida Gators and head coach Dan Mullen have added some toughness to the offensive line with the latest commitment from a 2019 prospect.

    Offensive Guard Riley Simonds announced his commitment to Florida on Wednesday.

    The 6’3.5, 324 lb Georgia native chose the Gators over Missouri and Virginia Tech but also held offers from schools such as Alabama, Auburn, and Louisville.

    Simonds is ranked as a three-star prospect and #455 overall in the 2019 recruiting cycle. Simonds is rated as the #16 OG (via 247Sports.com).

    Simonds was primarily recruited by OL coach John Hevesy and co-OC Billy Gonzales. Simonds took his official visit to Florida on June 1.

  • MBB: Gators to open 2018-19 season in Tallahassee against Florida State

    MBB: Gators to open 2018-19 season in Tallahassee against Florida State

    On Wednesday the Florida Gators announced that the 2018-19 men’s basketball season will begin in Tallahassee with an away contest against arch rival Florida State on November 6.

    The two teams haven’t opened a season with each other since the 2000-01 season when Florida defeated FSU 85-70.

    The Gators lead the overall series between the two programs 43-25 since the first meeting in 1951. The Seminoles, however, have won four straight including last year’s 83-66 win in Gainesville.

    Prior to FSU’s streak, the Gators had taken the five previous matchups.

    The NCAA is now allowing teams to begin the season earlier so teams have an easier time shoring up their non-conference schedules, hence the November 6 date.

    *The rest of Florida’s schedule will be announced at a later date.

  • BSB: Gators advance in CWS behind record performance from Jackson Kowar

    BSB: Gators advance in CWS behind record performance from Jackson Kowar

    FLORIDA 6, TEXAS 1

    RUNS HITS ERRORS
    GATORS 6 10 0
    TEXAS 1 8 1
    Photo via The Associated Press

    OMAHA, NE– If this is the last start of Jackson Kowar’s collegiate career, then he went out with quite the memorable performance.

    The junior from Charlotte was called upon as the Gators faced elimination against Texas on Tuesday. Not only did, Kowar answer the call, he exceeded expectations and set a program record in lifting Florida past the Longhorns to advance in the College World Series.

    Florida jumped to an early 1-0 lead in the first inning as Deacon Liput led off the game with a four-pitch walked and scored when Jonathan India singled to left two batters later. However, as was the case for most of the day, Florida wasted an opportunity to open the floodgates. RF Wil Dalton hit into a double play before JJ Schwarz ended the inning with a fly out to center.

    In the second inning, the Gators had the bases loaded with no outs, but were unable to score. Florida would load the bases again in the third and force Texas to go to their bulpen. Chase Shugart was able to strike out Blake Reese to end the inning.

    Florida’s offense would struggle until the sixth inning.

    Florida’s offense finally clicked in the sixth (mostly with two outs) adding a four-spot in the frame. Reese led off the inning with a double to right. Nelson Maldonado hit a two-out RBI single to center followed by India crushing a three-run homer to left field to put Florida ahead 5-0.

    The Gators added an extra insurance run with a Nick Horvath homer in the eighth.

    Texas would add their lone run in the bottom of the eighth as C DJ Petrinsky singled to center, scoring PH Austin Todd.

    Kowar’s performance can’t be overstated. Kowar struck out a CWS program record thirteen batters (all via swinging strikeouts) in 6.2 innings while allowing only five hits and walking two Longhorns.

    Kowar was selected by the Kansas City Royals with the thirty-third pick in the MLB amateur draft earlier this month.

    Michael Byrne finished the final two innings for the Gators, allowing three hits, but not giving up earned runs (he did allow an inherited runner to score in the eighth, though).

    India and Maldonado each went 2-5 with a homer to lead the offensive charge. Austin Langworthy went 2-3 with a walk.

    Florida will face the loser of the Texas Tech – Arkansas winner in an elimination game scheduled for Thursday night.

    W: Kowar (10-5)

    L: Blair Hensley (6-7)

  • SOC: Gators release 2018 schedule; will move to Dizney Stadium permanently

    SOC: Gators release 2018 schedule; will move to Dizney Stadium permanently

    Photo by: Tim Casey / UAA

    The University of Florida is using the athletic off-season to make facility upgrades around the athletic program.

    The UAA is spending $2.5 million toward upgrading the Ring Tennis Complex as well as the Percy Beard Track Stadium. In addition, the University announced that the Gators soccer program will be making a permanent move to the Donald R. Dizney Lacrosse Stadium across campus.

    SEE ALSO: Major Renovations to Florida softball stadium to be complete in time for 2019 season

    The Gators have hosted multiple games at ‘the Diz’ since 2014, including all NCAA Tournament contests since then.

    The Gators also released their 2018 schedule which features eleven opponents that qualifed for the NCAA Tournament in 2017, including two that made it to the College Cup (South Carolina and UCLA). The regular season will begin with a home date against Washington on August 17. Florida opens the season with three straight home games and will play five of their first six matches at Dizney Stadium.

    Florida opens SEC play against Vanderbilt on September 16. The SEC Tournament will be played in Orange Beach, AL from October 29 – November 4.

    2018 UF Soccer Schedule

    • 8/7 @ FGCU 7PM (EXH)
    • 8/17 v Washington 7PM
    • 8/19 v FAU. 7PM
    • 8/24 v Ohio State 7PM
    • 8/26 @ Oklahoma State 2PM
    • 8/31 v UCLA 7 PM
    • 9/2 v Southern Cal 6PM
    • 9/7 @ Florida State 7PM
    • 9/9 @ UCF 6PM
    • 9/16 v Vanderbilt 3PM
    • 9/20 @ Kentucky 7:30PM
    • 9/23 v LSU 1PM
    • 9/28 @ Mississippi State 8PM
    • 10/4 v Tennessee 6:30PM
    • 10/7 @ South Carolina 3PM
    • 10/14 @ Alabama 5PM
    • 10/18 v Georgia 6:30PM
    • 10/21 @ Missouri TBA

    The Gators have earned twenty-one NCAA Championships appearances in the program’s twenty-four year history and have been led by head coach Becky Burleigh the entire time. Under Burleigh’s guidance Florida has garnered a 407-110-33 overall record. Burleigh has won the SEC Coach of the Year honor four times and won a National Championship in 1998.

    Last season, Florida went 17-7 and advanced the NCAA quarterfinals before falling to South Carolina.

  • BSB: Gators fall in CWS opener; will face Texas in elimination game Tuesday

    BSB: Gators fall in CWS opener; will face Texas in elimination game Tuesday

    TEXAS TECH 6, FLORIDA 3

    RUNS HITS ERRORS
    TEXAS TECH 6 12 1
    GATORS 3 5 1

    OMAHA, NE– The Florida Gators haven’t made anything easy in postseason play, so why should the College World Series be any different?

    Florida will have to fight to stave off elimination for each remaining game after a 6-3 loss to Texas Tech to open the CWS in Omaha, Nebraska.

    The Gators took a lead in the third inning. Deacon Liput drew a leadoff walk which forced Texas Tech to go to their bullpen. With Ryan Shetter on the mound for the Red Raiders, Liput advanced to second on a wild pitched then stole third on the fourth ball to Jonathan India. Shetter was then called for a balk that plated Liput and moved India into scoring position.

    Texas Tech rebounded in the fourth to tie the game. An eerily similar circumstance surrounded the TTU run. Third baseman Josh Jung singled, advanced to second via a Brady Singer balk, and moved to third on a passed ball by Gators catcher Jonah Girand.

    The Red Raiders added a pair of runs in the fifth to provide some insurance. The runs came as the result of an error by Liput. TTU’s Cody Farhat reached with a two-out single, which was followed by Braxton Fulford reaching on the error that put both runners in scoring position. Gabe Holt then singled home both runs before Brady Singer could seduce Brian Klein into a liner to end the inning.

    In the sixth inning, Texas Tech added two more insurance runs thanks to four consecutive one-out hits. Grant Little singled to center then promptly stole second and scored on the ensuing double by Zach Rheams. Rheams came around to score on Michael Davis’ single to center and the Red Raiders extended the lead to 5-1.

    The Gators added two runs in the seventh to close the gap to within two. Brady Smith pinch hit for Girand (who had gone 0 for his last 13 with ten strikeouts in that span. Smith singled and scored on Nelson Maldonado’s two run homer to left.

    The Red Raiders had an opportunity to add some insurance in the eighth with runners on second and third an no one out, but Jordan Butler got Rheams and Davis to strike out before being relieved by Gators ace reliever Michael Byrne. Byrne threw three pitches in striking out Cameron Warren, thus ending the threat.

    Florida had a chance in the eighth. Austin Langworthy reached on a walk and was on third with two outs, but Nick Horvath popped out to short to end the inning and the Gators threat.

    After the Gators’ failings in the eighth, Texas Tech added an insurance run in the top of the ninth with a Holt RBI single to right to extend the Red Raiders lead to 6-3.

    Florida’s offensive struggles are highlighted with runners in scoring position as the Gators went 0-7 in such situations.

    Brady Singer, pitching in what could be the final outing of his collegiate career, allowed five runs (two earned) in 6.1 innings.

    Florida will face Texas in the early game (2:00 PM) on Tuesday. The loser will be eliminated. Texas fell to Arkansas in the earlier game on Sunday. Florida has been involved in elimination contests in every level of the postseason thus far. In Regionals, the Gators defeated FAU in the deciding game seven. In Super Regionals, Florida topped Auburn thanks to a walk-off homer by Langworthy in the deciding game three.

    34 of the last 37 CWS champions began their run with a win, meaning Florida is looking to do something that is rarely accomplished.

    W: Ryan Shetter (6-0)

    L: Singer (13-2)

  • BSB: Michael Byrne named 2018 NCBWA Stopper of the Year

    BSB: Michael Byrne named 2018 NCBWA Stopper of the Year

    Photo via Getty Images

    Florida’s all-time leader in saves was rewarded on Saturday with some hardware that many argue he was robbed of just a year ago.

    On Saturday, the National College Baseball Writer’s Association announced Michael Byrne as the 2018 Stopper of the Year. The honor is presented annually to the top relief pitcher in college baseball.

    Byrne eanred the honor by accumulating a 3-1 record, a 1.59 ERA, and 15 saves. Byrne tossed 56.2 innings of work, striking out 60 while allowing only 5 free passes.

    The junior from Orlando was a finalist for the 2017 award after setting a single season program record of 19 saves. Many feel he was robbed of the honor last season.

    Byrne has been essential to the success of the Gators the last two years. Oftentimes, Florida head coach Kevin O’Sullivan has called on Byrne to escape a jam in the eighth inning due to his penchant to their strikes.

    Byrne pitched four innings of one-hit shutout ball in netting the win against Auburn in the Super Regional finale on Monday.

    The Cincinnati Reds selected the first team All-American in the 14th round of the MLB Draft earlier this month.

    Florida opens the College World Series in Omaha with a game against Texas Tech on Sunday at 7:00 PM.

  • BSB: Brady Singer named 2018 Dick Howser Trophy recipient

    BSB: Brady Singer named 2018 Dick Howser Trophy recipient

    Photo via Getty Images

    Florida junior RHP Brady Singer has earned numerous accolades for his stellar performance this season.

    On Friday, Singer was named the recipient of the Dick Howser Trophy, awarded annually to the national college baseball player of the year.

    Singer was selected eighteenth overall in the 2018 MLB Draft by Kansas City earlier this week.

    Singer has been named the SEC Player of the Year, the Baseball America National Player of the Year, and a first team All-American. Singer has posted a 12-1 record to go along with a 2.30 ERA. In 101.2 innings of work, Singer has retired 107 batters via strikeout and has limited opponents to a .187 batting average.

    Singer is the second Florida player to earn the honor as Mike Zunino took the award in 2012.

    Singer is also a finalist for the Golden Spikes Award which is annually awarded to the top amateur baseball player in the country.
    *You can help Singer with the fan vote portion of the Golden Spikes Award by clicking here and voting (fan vote runs until June 22). You can vote up to 25 times per day.

  • FB: Gators add TE Lucas Krull to 2018 class

    FB: Gators add TE Lucas Krull to 2018 class

    Photo via 247sports

    #ToTheSwamp! #AllBite18! The Florida Gators landed another prospect in the 2018 recruiting cycle on Thursday.

    Junior College prospect Lucas Krull announced via Twitter his commitment to the University of Florida.

    Krull is a 6’7, 255 lb tight end from Kansas who attended Jefferson College in Missouri, but didn’t play football in 2017.

    Krull visited Florida officially on June 1, and visited his other finalist, Kansas State, on June 7. Krull’s family has ties to K-State and was thought to be the leader for the star athlete.

    Luke Stampini of 247sports.com reported Krull’s senior year of high school stats as: 52 receptions for 745 yards and 13 touchdowns. Krull can be utilized as a large target, especially in the red zone.

    Photo by: Blake Alderman / 247sports

    Krull actually enrolled into Arkansas in August 2017 and was part of the Razorback’s baseball recruiting class as a top pitcher.

    Krull will enroll into the Summer B semester at UF and will be eligible to play immediately.

  • Mets prospect Peter Alonso promoted to Triple-A Las Vegas

    Mets prospect Peter Alonso promoted to Triple-A Las Vegas

    Photo via Getty Images

    New York Mets first base prospect Peter Alonso has dominated Double-A ball since his promotion from Single-A St. Lucie late last season.

    In 75 games (eleven in 2017) with Binghamton in the Double-A Eastern League, Alonso has hit at a .314 clip while reaching base at a .427 rate. Alonso has hit 17 home runs and collected 57 RBI in that span.

    Alonso is currently leading the Eastern League with 15 homers and ranks second with 52 RBI on the season.

    Alonso is now one step closer to reaching the majors. On Thursday, the Mets promoted Alonso to Triple-A where he will play for the Las Vegas 51s.

    SportsNet New York published an article on Monday, citing Mets radio broadcaster Howie Rose, that the Mets would not be promoting their #4 prospect to the Majors at any point this season “no matter what.”

    Alonso starred at the University of Florida from 2014-16 and was selected with the 64th overall pick (second round) in the 2016 MLB Draft by New York.