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  • How one swing moved Florida baseball into power position in SEC East

    How one swing moved Florida baseball into power position in SEC East

    One swing.

    The Florida Gators baseball team found out just how much one swing of the bat can change things on Saturday.  Florida was trailing South Carolina 7-5 in the eighth inning.  Austin Langworthy led off the eighth with a single to right.  Ryan Larson walked.  After a pitching change, Nelson Maldonado also drew a walk to load the bases.  JJ Schwarz stepped up to the plate, and after being mired in a season long slump, crushed a 1-0 pitch to the left field bleachers, which propelled the Gators to a series victory over the Gamecocks.

    The Gators haven’t shown themselves to be the kind of team to pull off a win in this type of situation this year.  In fact, on Friday night-just one night prior, Florida lost under almost identical circumstances.  In the eighth inning of Friday’s game, the Gators loaded the bases with no outs while trailing 4-1.  Florida’s 2-3-4 hitters each got an out to end the possibility of a win without scoring a single run.  This result is much more indicative of the Florida offense we’ve seen in 2017.

    One swing.

    If not for that one swing, the series against South Carolina could have easily ended disastrously.  Instead, Florida fans can hope the momentum of the win will carry over into the series against Georgia, which starts this coming Friday evening.  For this to happen, one of the things Florida needs is for Schwarz to be the player we saw during his freshman year, when he clubbed 18 homers on his way to being named National Freshman of the Year.  Schwarz’ average has risen to .243 after spending much of the first half of the year hoovering near the .200 mark, but he must become the presence in the middle of the lineup that everyone expected.

    Florida is positioned well despite their offensive failings.  The Gators have the #9 RPI in the country and are in the discussion to be a national seed, (top 8), in the NCAA tournament.  The setup of Florida’s final four SEC series appears incredibly favorable for the team.  Florida will play Georgia, Ole Miss, Alabama and Kentucky in SEC play.  Georgia is in last place in the SEC East, while Ole Miss is only ahead of last place Alabama in SEC West standings.  Kentucky is currently in first place in the East, but if Florida can power past the SEC cellar dwellers, that could easily change.

    One swing on a Saturday afternoon may have changed the forecast for this team.  All of a sudden, their future looks much brighter.

    SEC Standings:

    East-

    West-

    (Standings via SECsports.com)

  • Barnhill, Kvistad earn SEC weekly honors

    Barnhill, Kvistad earn SEC weekly honors

    Florida first baseman Kayli Kvistad and starting pitcher Kelly Barnhill earned SEC weekly honors for their performances last week. 

    Kvistad was named the SEC Player of the Week after posting a .636 average to go along with 8 RBI.  Kvistad also broke the program record for most walks in a season.  The junior from Lake City, Florida leads the SEC in walks taken at 51. 

    Barnhill was named the SEC Pitcher of the Week for the third week in a row. Barnhill has not allowed a run in 43.1 innings pitched.  Barnhill struck out 16 Rebels hitters in her Friday night start while only allowing two hits. Barnhill sports an incredible 0.17 ERA on the season and improved her record to 20-0 after the two victories over #18 Mississippi.  

    Florida will travel to Tennessee this weekend.  The series begins Friday at 6:00 PM.

  • Delanie Gourley selected in third round of NPF Draft

    Delanie Gourley selected in third round of NPF Draft

    Florida senior left handed pitcher Delanie Gourley was selected in the third round of the 2017 National Pro Fastpitch Draft.  Gourley was selected with the 12th overall pick by the Scrap Yard Dawgs before being traded to the Texas Charge for the thirteenth and twenty-fifth picks in the draft.  

    Gourley has consistently been one of Florida’s top pitchers. As a junior, she went 19-4 with a 0.80 ERA while striking out 224 and only walking 50.  This year Gourley is 14-3 with a 0.94 ERA and 160 strikeouts.  

    Gourley also has big game experience having pitched in the College World Series’ final series, and she was on both of Florida’s national championship teams. 

    The NPF is a five team professional softball league.  Several former Gators are represented on NPF rosters.  Aubree Munro, Hannah Rogers, Kelsey Stewart, Kirsti Merritt, and Taylore Fuller are all listed on active rosters.  Former Gators star Lauren Haeger will be a familiar face in the Texas dugout for Gourley.  The 2017 NPF season begins on June 1st.

    (Photo via: Texas Charge Twitter)

  • Alex Faedo named SEC Pitcher of the Week

    Alex Faedo named SEC Pitcher of the Week

    Florida right handed pitcher Alex Faedo was named the SEC’s Pitcher of the Week for his performance on Thursday against South Carolina. 

    Faedo pitched 8.2 innings while only allowing three hits to the #18 Gamecocks.  Faedo walked four in the appearance, but managed to strike out nine South Carolina hitters during the Gators 1-0 victory on Thursday.

    This is the second time that Faedo has earned the SEC weekly pitching honor. Faedo has a 6-1 record on the year and carries a 2.47 ERA. 

    Faedo and the Gators will be at Georgia this weekend for a three game series starting Friday evening. 

  • Caleb Brantley charged with battery just days before NFL Draft

    Caleb Brantley charged with battery just days before NFL Draft

    Former Gator finds himself in trouble just days before the NFL Draft.  He was projected to be a second or third round pick. 

    Former Florida Gators defensive tackle Caleb Brantley was involved in an incident with a female in which initial reports were that he was not the aggressor or instigator.  The incident occurred April 13 on University Avenue in Gainesville.  

    Brantley claimed initially that the female hit him in the face and he simply shoved her out of his way.  Both parties decline to press charges. 

    However, that story appears to have not been true based on recent filings with the Alachua County Court.

    A sworn affidavit was issued (and first obtained by Patrick Pinak of The Independant Florida Alligator) and stated (via multiple witnesses) that Brantley was acting in retaliation for being shoved. Brantley allegedly hit the woman with a closed fist and knocked her unconcisous. The woman also lost a tooth.  

    Per Pinak:

    Brantley left the University of Florida with one year of eligibility remaining. He was projected to be a first round pick in thr NFL Draft before the combine, but draft pundits have more recently said he will go in the second or third round. 

    Obviously, this isn’t a good look for Brantley, and the timing couldn’t be worse. NFL teams will have to scramble for answers or completely remove him from their draft board. 

  • Kelly Barnhill named SEC Pitcher of the Week (again)

    Kelly Barnhill named SEC Pitcher of the Week (again)

    It was an impressive week for the Southeastern Conference’s reigning Pitcher of the Week.  It culminated with Florida sophomore pitcher Kelly Barnhill earning her second consecutive SEC pitching award. 

    Barnhill began her week with a two inning performance against Florida State in which she earned a victory.  Florida State entered the game with the highest batting average in the country.  Barnhill didn’t allow a hit against the Seminoles. 

    Barnhill was on the mound for two of the three games in Florida’s weekend conference matchup with #21 Kentucky.  Barnhill won both of her contests against the Wildcats while striking out a ridiculous 15 batters in each game. Barnhill pitched two complete game shutouts and in the Sunday series finale, she pitched a no-hitter. 

    Per the SEC release: 

    Barnhill earned three victories in the circle for the Gators this past week, including two-complete game shutouts. She came in the sixth inning of Florida’s non-conference tilt against No. 2 Florida State and gave up zero hits in the last two innings to a team that was leading the nation in batting average. Barnhill then registered back-to-back complete game shutouts at No. 21/22 Kentucky to clinch the series for Florida. She recorded 15 strikeouts in both Friday’s and Sunday’s games, with the series finale marking the second no-hitter of her career and the first this season. Barnhill has not allowed an earned run in her last 38.1 innings of work.

  • Former Gator Aaron Hernandez commits suicide in prison

    Former Gator Aaron Hernandez commits suicide in prison

    Aaron Hernandez was pronounced dead at 4:07 AM after he hanged himself in his prison cell on Wednesday. 

    The timing is interesting as Hernandez was acquitted in a double murder on Friday. Hernandez was serving a life sentence without the chance of parole for his role in the murder of semi-pro football player Odin Lloyd near his North Attleboro, MA home.  

    Hernandez was one of the top tight ends in the NFL at the time of his arrest. Hernandez had just signed a 5-year $40 million extension with New England. 

    Hernandez attended the University of Florida from 2007-09 before declaring for the draft.  Hernandez caught 113 passes for 1,382 yards while scoring 12 touchdowns in a Florida uniform. Hernandez was an integral part of Florida’s 2008 National Championship team.  Hernandez was an All-American in 2009 and was won the Mackey Award as the top college tight end in the country.  

    Despite his on-field success in Gainesville, there were concerns off the gridiron which caused Hernandez to fall to the fourth round of the NFL Draft despite obvious first round talent. 

    The New England Patriots are visiting the White House to celebrate their Super Bowl victory over the Atlanta Falcons.  ESPN’s Adam Schefter reached out to Patriots head coach Bill Belichick via text for a response.  The head coach summed it up in one word: “Tragic.”

  • Florida lands talented grad transfer Koulechov

    Florida lands talented grad transfer Koulechov

    Egor Koulechov announced his commitment to the University of Florida on Tuesday night. Koulechov was one of the most sought after transfers this off season. 

    Koulechov is a 6-5 inch wing that averaged 18.2 PPG and 8.9 RPG. Koulechov also shot at a 47.4% clip from three-point range. 

    Koulechov was born in Russia but grew up in Israel before moving to the US prior to his junior year in high school. 

    Koulechov chose Florida over Oklahoma after meeting with both Gators head coach Mike White and former Gators and Sooners head coach Lon Kruger this weekend.

  • OFFICIAL THREAD: FLORIDA GYMNASTICS GOES FOR THE TITLE

    OFFICIAL THREAD: FLORIDA GYMNASTICS GOES FOR THE TITLE

    Are you stuck at work tonight?  Does your cable provider not have ESPNU?  Do you not have a way to watch the gymnastics National Championship tonight?  Don’t worry, this is the official Championship Thread of The Gator Chomp Blog.

    The Florida Gators gymnastics team will be looking to win their fourth National Championship in five years tonight.  The Gators earned their 15th trip to the “Super Six” after finishing second in Semifinal #2 on Friday.

    All the action begins at 9 PM EST from St. Louis.  Follow along as we update you on the action as it’s happening.  Stay posted for Florida’s scores, as well as relevant scores from the other “Super Six” schools (Alabama, LSU, Oklahoma, UCLA, and Utah).  You will see the updates at the top of the page, as opposed to the bottom of the page.

    We will see you soon!

    _______________

    11:30 PM- FINAL from St. Louis: 

    • Oklahoma 198.3875
    • LSU.            197.7375
    • Florida.      197.7000
    • UCLA.         197.1000
    • Utah.          196.5875
    • Alabama.  196.0000

    The Oklahoma Sooners have won the 2017 National Championship. 

    ____________

    11:29 PM- Florida will finish in third place as a record performance on the beam by LSU propels them into second place. 

    ____________

    11:23 PM- IT’S A PERFECT 10 FOR ALEX MCMURTRY!  What a way to finish the year for the junior. 

    ___________

    11:21 PM- Amelia Hundley finishes her night with a 9.9000 score in the bars.

    ____________

    11:20 PM- Kennedy Baker gas completed the bars with a 9.8875 score. 

    Florida and LSU are battling for second place. 

    ____________

    11:19 PM- Oklahoma has clinched the win. 

    __________

    11:18 PM- Rachel Gowey follows Chants fall with a terrific performance. Gowey earns a 9.9000

    ___________

    11:16 PM-  Maegan Chant fell on the parallel bars and finished with a 9.1875. Florida will need to be near perfect and hope that Oklahoma falters for any chance at this point. 

    ___________

    11:14 PM- Alicia Boren played lead off for Florida on the uneven bars. Boren finished with a score of 9.850. 

    ___________

    11:07 PM- Florida has one last chance.  Florida will be on the bars and the order will be: Alicia Boren, Maegan Chant, Rachel Gowey, Kennedy Baker, Amelia Hundley, and will conclude with Alex McMurtry. 

    ___________

    11:05 PM- The final rotation is coming up. Florida is in second place, but would need a colossal collapse from Oklahoma to win another title. 

    Florida will be on the bars.

    __________

    10:45 PM- Florida has a bye for the fifth rotation and will finish on the uneven bars. We will be back.

    ____________

    10:34 PM- Florida will finish their vault rotation with an overall score of 49.3620. Oklahoma had a bye in this rotation, but Florida figures to be a distant second place. 

    __________

    10:32 PM- All-American Alex McMurtry scores a 9.9370 and Boren’s score will be dropped.  

    ___________

    10:30 PM- Rachel Slocum scores a 9.875 on her vault run. Alex McMurtry to follow. 

    ___________

    10:29 PM- Alicia Boren fails to make a good landing on her vault attempt. Scores a 9.650. Florida hoping to drop this score. 

    __________

    10:28 PM- Kennedy Baker scores a 9.9000 on her vault attempt. Alicia Boren is next. 

    __________

    10:26 PM- Sierra Alexander scores a 9.8125 on her first event of the evening 

    __________

    10:24 PM- Hundley receives a 9.8375 on her vault attempt.

    __________

    10:21 PM- Florida will be on vault for rotation 4. 

    Amelia Hundley will lead off followed by Sierra Alexander, Kennedy Baker, Alicia Boren, Rachel Slocum, and Alex McMurtry

    __________

    10:19 PM- Oklahoma running away with competition at this point.

    __________

    10:15 PM Kennedy Baker finishes a very good routine with a 9.9250, so Florida will drop McLaughlin’s 9.8000 for a total score of 49.5000

    __________

    10:12 PM- Alicia Boren scores a 9.9500 as well. Kennedy Baker will anchor the Gators floor rotation. 

    __________

    10:09 PM- Alex McMurtry does what Alex McMurtry always does with an almost flawless routine. Judges reward her with a 9.9500.

    ____________

    10:07 PM- Amelia Hundley also scores a 9.8375, and All-Around Champion Alex McMurtry is up for the Gators. 

    __________

    10:04 PM- Rachel Slocum receives a 9.8375 score on her floor routine. 

    __________

    10:02 PM: McLaughlin earns a 9.8000 score on her floor routine. Rachel Slocum is coming up next. 

    __________

    9:59 PM- Grace McLaughlin will start the Gators on the floor. She will be followed by Rachel Slocum, Amelia Hundley, Alex McMurtry, Alicia Boren, and Kennedy Baker will be the anchor. 

    __________

    9:53 PM- Florida will be on the floor for Rotation #3. Oklahoma and LSU are the (average score) leaders at this point. Florida is in third. 

    __________

    9:52 PM- Rotation Two is complete. Alabama just completed the beam with a 48.6255 score (to compare to Florida).  UCLA absolutely killed it on the bars, and everyone is chasing the Bruins at this point. 

    __________

    9:32 PM- Florida and UCLA have byes for Rotation #2. I will post what Alabama’s final score is for their turn on the beamnto compare UF’s score. 

    __________

    9:29 PM- After one rotation the scoreboard looks like this:

    • Florida:   49.3000
    • Utah:       49.0625
    • UCLA:      49.0000
    • Alabama: 48.8875
    • LSU and Oklahoma (the favorites to win) were on a bye

    __________

    9:25 PM- Florida will drop Gowey’s score as Alex McMurtry finishes with a 9.9125 score. We will give an update on where all schools stand after one rotation momentarily. 

    __________

    9:22 PM- Alicia Boren receives a 9.8875 score. Alex McMurtry is the final Gator to go.

    __________

    9:20 PM- Gowey receives a 9.2250 score. Hopefully Florida is able to drop this score. 

    __________

    9:19 PM- Rachel Gowey falls during her beam routine. Will lose at least .5 points 

    __________

    9:17 PM- Amelia Hundley goes third for Florida and finishes with a 9.8500 score. 

    __________

    9:15 PM- Grace McLaughlin goes second for Florida and scores a 9.8000

    __________

    9:12 PM- Kennedy Baker is the first Gator on the beam and finishes with a 9.8500. 

    __________

    9:02 PM- Florida will start on the beam. 

    Baker, McLaughlin, Hundley, Gowey, Boren, and McMurtry will round out the Gators first rotation. 

    __________

    8:04 PM- Less than one hour until the start of the NCAA gymnastics Super Six. 

    Florida will begin the night on the balance beam.  

    __________

    7:32 PM- Only 90 minutes until Florida begins competing in the NCAA Super Six gymnastics final.  

    __________

     7:01 PM- WE ARE ONLY TWO HOURS FROM THE START OF THE SUPER SIX!

  • #3 Florida trounces Butler 22-2

    #3 Florida trounces Butler 22-2

    FINAL: FLORIDA 22, BUTLER 2

      1st 2nd OT FINAL
    FLORIDA 16 6 X 22
    BUTLER 1 1 X 2

     

    Indianapolis, IN-  The #3 Florida Gators defeated the Butler Bulldogs in the first ever meeting between the two schools.  Florida dominated play and outshot Butler 43-12 despite playing a deep bench in the blowout.

    The Gators got on the board early and often, scoring their first goal only 29 seconds into the match.  Brianna Harris scored her 15th goal after receiving the ball from Mollie Stevens.  It didn’t take long for Florida to make it 2-0 as Harris scored again just 40 seconds later.  Draw controls proved to be key, as just 18 seconds later Allie Pavinelli scored.

    Florida led 7-1 after just 10 minutes of play, and ended the half with a 16-6 lead.

    Florida had three players notch hat tricks (3 goals): Lexi Bolton, Madisyn Kittell, and Shayna Pirreca.  Bolton and Kittell equaled their career highs in goals scored.  Harris and Pavinelli each added two goals to help lead Florida’s effort.  Nine different Gators tallied one goal including Sammi Burgess, Ronbeck, and Stevens.

    Florida used three goalkeepers in the win.  Haley Hicklen earned her 13th win of the season, but junior Olivia Cole, and freshman Kenzii Kittell each played a role in keeping Butler held to two goals.

    With the win, Florida has assured themselves of a spot in the Big East Tournament.  The tournament will be played in Philadelphia from May 3-6.  Florida still has Temple and Georgetown on the schedule before the start of post-season play.

    RECORDS:

    • FLORIDA:                           13-2  (7-0 BIG EAST)
    • BUTLER:                          1-14  (0-7 BIG EAST)

    Team Stats:

      FLORIDA BUTLER
    SHOTS 43 12
    SOG 28 10
    SAVES 8 6
    DRAW CONTROLS 19 7
    TURNOVERS 17 18

     

    What’s Next:

    FLORIDA GATORS at TEMPLE OWLS

    APRIL 22, 2017 / 1:00 PM