• Bryce Lovett Feels “Home” After Commitment to Florida
    Photo via 247Sports

    The Florida Gators landed the commitment of talented in-state offensive lineman Bryce Lovett Monday. Shortly thereafter, Lovett shared his thoughts with ChompTalk.com.

    Lovett is a three-star prospect according to 247Sports, but held several power five scholarship offers, including Arkansas and Missouri.

    The Rockledge, FL native even turned down an opportunity to play with his brother, Zachary (a linebacker at Mizzou) for the chance to attend UF.

    “Why not Florida,” he jokingly responded to the question of why he chose the Gators before adding, “they are the best fit for me, I feel at home there, and what the new staff is doing for the players on and off the field is something I can’t pass up.”

    Lovett, who sees himself playing tackle at the next level, talked about head coach Billy Napier’s approach to recruiting and how he’s “bringing back the old UF … the legendary one everyone wants to be part of.”

    The 6’5, 330 lb prospect has made several trips to Gainesville since being offered by the new staff in late January. Of those visits, he shared that he “learned something new every visit … I don’t think there was one thing I didn’t like.”

    Lovett noted several times that he felt “at home” while on his visits to Florida.

    He did emphasize that watching his brother go through the recruiting gauntlet helped immensely. “I knew exactly what to look for and he still helped me once he got to [Mizzou].”

    Lovett is currently the fifth commit to join Florida’s 2023 class that ranks No. 30 in the nation, according to 247. He is the second offensive lineman to commit in the last week and a half, joining Knijeah Harris of IMG Academy.

    Lovett is preparing to enroll early and will sign during the December period, just seven months away.

    Florida will continue its recruiting push with a number of top prospects expected to commit over the next few months leading up to the Gators’ Friday Night Lights camp at the end of July. Stay with ChompTalk.com for all the latest.

  • BSB: Gators Defeat No. 20 Noles With Walkoff Moonshot

    The Gators have now faced rival Florida State twice since the opening of Condron Ballpark. Both contests have resulted in memorable walk off wins for the Gators.

    Tuesday’s win came on a Sterlin Thompson moonshot that sent the crowd into a frenzy as the team celebrated defeating their biggest rival, once again. The win improves Florida’s record to 33-19 while the Seminoles fell to 32-19 overall.

    Florida got the scoring started as Wyatt Langford continues to enjoy the leadoff spot, hitting a bomb of a home run off the batter’s eye in center to start the game.

    The Seminoles rebounded by putting up three runs in the second and grabbing the lead.

    It didn’t last long, though.

    In the third inning, the Gators plated four runs, highlighted by Langford’s second home run, a no-doubt shot to right-center and suddenly, Florida possessed a 5-3 advantage.

    As has been the case for the last two years, the Gators immediately gave up a pair of runs in the following frame and the game was evened at five.

    The next four innings were dominated by pitching. Florida’s Tyler Nesbitt and the Seminoles’ Jonah Scolaro shut down the powerhouse offenses over a combined 7.2 innings of work.

    For the Gators, Ryan Slater finished the top of the ninth without incident to set up the dramatic finish.

    The Gators were down to their final out fairly quickly before Wyatt Langford singled up the middle on a 3-2 pitch.

    The Noles made the decision to bring in a left handed pitcher to face Thompson, but the 1-1 pitch was a slider that hung up enough for the sophomore to barrel up and get all of as it was crushed out of the ballpark for the win.

    Key Performances:

    • Langford: 3-5, 2 HR , 2 RBI, 3 R
    • Evans: 2-4, 2B, 3B, RBI
    • Nesbitt: 3.1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 5 K

    Pitching Decision:

    • W: Ryan Slater (4-3)
    • L: Davis Hare (1-3)

    On Deck:

    Florida will complete the regular season this weekend as they host South Carolina. The Gamecocks come into the series one game back of the Gators at 12-15 in SEC play ahead of the SEC Tournament in Hoover, Alabama.

  • Gators Land Commitment of 2023 OL Bryce Lovett
    Photo by Andrew Ivins | 247Sports

    Florida head coach Billy Napier continues to rebuild the Gators into his image. On Monday, he landed his second offensive line commitment in a week as in-state prospect Bryce Lovett announced his commitment via social media.

    Despite being just a three-star prospect according to 247Sports, Lovett held an offer from Arkansas and a plethora of other programs.

    The Rockledge, FL native is a 6’5, 330 lb mauler that also competes in throwing events in track and field for Rockledge High.

    Lovett gained an offer while on an unofficial visit in January and has returned to campus four times since pulling in the offer. He is expected to make an official visit June 3. (247Sports)

    Last month, the versatile lineman released a top-four of Florida, Missouri, Louisville, and Iowa State. His primary recruiter was OC Rob Sale with OL coach Darnell Stapleton also involved in the process.

  • SOC: Samantha Bohon Named New Head Coach
    Photo via UAA

    The Florida Gators soccer program has a new leader for the second time in a year. The University Athletic Association announced the hiring of Samantha Bohon from Embry-Riddle.

    Bohon spent fifteen seasons with the Eagles and oversaw the program’s transition from NAIA to NCAA competition. Prior to taking over as the second head coach in ERAU history, she served as an assistant coach with Tennessee from 2001-05.

    Bohon played at Duke from 1994-97 and scored 16 goals in her collegiate career.

    At Embry-Riddle, Bohon led the Eagles to a 167-76-16 overall record and was named conference coach of the year four times (2009, 2010, 2012, 2021).

    Bohon takes over a program that saw it’s previous coach, Tony Amato, fired after just one season due to “a disconnect with his players.” Allegations of abuse in the program were first reported by Fresh Take Florida. Amato was named head coach after the program’s only head coach, Becky Burleigh retired following the 2020-21 season.

  • SB: Gators Selected as Regional Host as #14 National Seed
    Photo by Hannah White via UAA

    The Florida Gators will host an NCAA Regional for the seventeenth consecutive season. The Gators we’re selected as the #14 national seed during Sunday’s Selection Show.

    The Gators (43-16) will face Canisius (33-16) at 4:30 PM Friday. That game will be preceded by Georgia Tech (37-16) vs Wisconsin (28-19).

    Florida is coming off a loss to the nation’s number four seed (Arkansas) in last week’s SEC Tournament, despite hosting the event at Katie Seashole Pressly Stadium.

    The winner of the Gainesville Regional will face the winner of the Blacksburg Regional featuring #3 seed Virginia Tech.

  • LAX: Gators survive late push from Jacksonville, continue NCAA tournament run
    Photo by Leslie White via UAA

    Florida once again matched up against a familiar opponent along its NCAA tournament run Sunday. After defeating Mercer 19-12 in the first round and for the second time this season, the Gators were set for a rematch against Jacksonville.

    The Gators took down JU 12-6 at home when the two teams last met on April 27. UF looked at first to be running away with another victory over the Dolphins, before a late push put the orange and blue’s title hopes in jeopardy.

    Florida (17-4, 5-0 AAC) defeated Jacksonville (14-5, 5-0 ASUN) 15-10 to move on towards the Elite Eight and keep hopes of a 2022 title alive.

    The Gators came firing out of the gate, scoring five goals in the opening period. Sophomore attacker Danielle Pavinelli led the way with five goals and made history as the 15th 100 goal scorer in UF lacrosse history.

    Pavinelli wasn’t the only Florida player to boast a career night. Freshman Josie Hahn came up big for the Gators, scoring the first hat trick of her young collegiate career.

    UF closed out the productive first half of offense up 10-4 over Jacksonville, the next round of the tournament within reach. All the Gators needed was to hold off the Dolphins for 30 more minutes.

    That’s not as easy as it sounds, and JU showed. Jacksonville outscored Florida 4-2 in the third quarter to shrink the deficit to 13-8 just five points in a game where goals were in high supply.

    The Gators were able to respond and outscore JU to close the game, but the credit goes to the UF defense in the final period. Goalie Sarah Reznick saved six of eight shots on goal in the fourth quarter. The redshirt sophomore’s defensive stand helped Florida stay on top as time expired, and propelled the Gators to the next round of the tournament.

    Up next, Florida will take on Maryland in the Elite Eight. Easily UF’s toughest postseason opponent thus far, the Terrapins are No. 2 in the IWLCA Top 25 and have just one loss to their name. The Gators were run off the field by Maryland earlier this season, losing 18-8 in College Park.

    First draw is set for Thursday, May 19 with the time to be announced.

  • BSB: Gators Fall to Mizzou 5-3

    Riding the emotions of a six game winning streak while facing the last-placed Missouri Tigers proved daunting to the young Florida baseball team Saturday.

    The Gators dropped a 5-3 decision to fall to 31-19 and 12-14 in conference play. Missouri improved to 26-21 and 8-18 in SEC action.

    Florida got out to an early lead in the first inning when Wyatt Langford scored on BT Riopelle’s RBI single to right.

    The Gators tacked on another run as Riopelle ripped another RBI base hit (double), this time plating Sterlin Thompson.

    The Tigers got one back in the fourth but the Gators rebounded by tacking on a run via a sacrifice fly by Riopelle in the top of the fifth.

    A three-run homer by Torin Montgomery put Mizzou up 4-3 and spelled the end of RHP Brandon Neely’s outing.

    RHP Fisher Jameson entered and shut down the Tigers offense for 1.1 innings.

    The Tigers manufactured an insurance run of in the eighth to extend the lead to 5-3 before the Gators went down in order in the ninth to end the game.

    Key Performances

    • Thompson: 3-4, 2B, BB, R
    • Riopelle: 2-3, 2B, 3 RBI
    • Langford: 2-4, 2 R

    Pitching Decision:

    • W: Spencer Miles (4-5)
    • L: Brandon Neely (2-1)
    • S: Ian Lohse (3)

    On Deck:

    The rubber match of the series will take place Sunday with first pitch scheduled for 2:00 PM. Florida has announced Nick Pogue as the starter.

  • BSB: Gators Slug Way Past Mizzou in Series Opener

    Florida opened a crucial series at Missouri with a massive beatdown of the Tigers. The Florida offense put up 13 runs, which was more than enough to support a strong effort from starting pitcher Brandon Sproat.

    The Gators improved to 31-18 and 12-13 in SEC play while winning their sixth straight ballgame. The Tigers fell to 25-21 and 7-18 in the SEC, last in the East division.

    Missouri actually opened the scoring with a solo homer from Trevor Austin to left-center in the first inning.

    But, it was all Gators from that point.

    The Gators recovered quickly as Colby Halter smacked a two-run dinger to right-center to put the Gators on top 2-1 in the top of the second.

    Josh Rivera added to the advantage an inning later with a two run homer that also scored BT Riopelle and stretched the lead to 4-1.

    The Gators continued to add to the scoreboard in the fourth, plating three runs largely from miscues by the Tigers’ defense (back to back errors by the shortstop and third baseman).

    Florida followed a big fourth with an even bigger fifth as they scored five more to essentially put the game out of reach for the Tigers. The highlights of the fifth were an RBI double by Sterlin Thompson and a two-run, no-doubt homer estimated to travel 480-feet from freshman Jac Caglianone that increased the lead to 12-1.

    Wyatt Langford added a solo shot in the sixth to make it 13-1.

    Armed with a big lead, Florida starter Brandon Sproat cruised to one of the best performances of his career. The fireballer tossed 6.2 innings allowing just three hits and one run. Most important, he permitted just one walk and struck out seven.

    Anthony Ursitti closed things out allowing just a single base runner (via walk) over the final 2.2 innings.

    Key Performances:

    • Langford: 2-3, HR, RBI, 2 BB, HBP, 3 R
    • Riopelle: 2-3, 2 RBI, BB, R
    • Sproat: 6.2 IP, 3 H, 1 ER, 7 K, BB

    Pitching Decision:

    • W: Brandon Sproat (7-4)
    • L: Tony Neubeck (3-3)

    On Deck

    The Gators will continue their series against Mizzou Saturday at 3:00 PM. Florida will aim for a .500 record in conference play with Brandon Neely (2-0, 3.45 ERA) on the mound.

  • LAX: Florida defeats Mercer, moves on to Sweet 16
    Photo by Leslie White via UAA

    Florida entered the 2022 NCAA women’s lacrosse tournament in an advantageous position. The Gators had won their last 13 games on their way to an American Conference championship, the eight seed in the tournament and home field advantage for the first two rounds.

    Against Mercer, UF’s first round opponent, Florida entered a perfect 2-0. The Gators defeated the Bears 23-5 in last year’s tournament and 19-5 earlier in the regular season. All things considered, UF looked set for a dominating performance in the first round. The Gators triumphed, but they looked far less invincible than usual in the process.

    Florida (17-4, 5-0 AAC) defeated Mercer (14-5, 8-1 Big South) 19-12 on Friday. The game was back-and-forth early on before the Gators eventually pulled away and secured the win.

    UF got on the board first with two quick goals from Paisley Eagan and Danielle Pavinelli. Pavinelli scored four goals in the game. The sophomore attacker is now three goals away from becoming Florida’s 15th 100-goal scorer.

    Florida found success offensively, but allowed four goals in the first quarter to end the opening period up just one goal, 5-4. A big part of UF’s struggles came from turnovers. The Gators had a game-high five turnovers in the first quarter and finished with 13 total.

    In the second quarter, Florida ramped up its aggressiveness on offense. The Gators added five more goals, but left plenty more off the board. UF shot 13 times and the Bears recorded five saves in the quarter, their highest in the game. Heading into halftime, Florida led 10-6.

    Mercer scored the opening goal of the second half before UF went on a 6-2 run to close the quarter up 16-9. Ashley Gonzalez led the onslaught of scoring in the game, notching a season-high five goals. The Bears added a few more goals before the final whistle, but the Gators remained in control to slip away with the victory.

    Up next, Florida will take on Jacksonville. The Dolphins topped Stanford 20-8 Friday afternoon. The Gators will once again have home-field advantage as they look to secure a second-consectuive Sweet 16 berth. First draw is set for Sunday at 4 p.m.

  • SB: Gators Speed Past Aggies into SEC Tourney Quarterfinals
    Photo by Brian Fox | ChompTalk

    On Wednesday, Florida was granted the opportunity to chase an SEC title from its home stadium for the first time since 2005. The Gators arrived at Pressly stadium, and after some delay, took the field for their first round matchup against Texas A&M. Today, UF will take on the second leg of its title chase after grabbing the win and moving on to the second round.

    Fifth-seeded Florida (42-15, 13-11 SEC) defeated the No. 12 Aggies (29-26, 6-18) 4-1 in the first round of the SEC softball tournament in convincing fashion. The Gators scored all four of their runs in the first two innings and held Texas A&M scoreless until the sixth.

    Fifth-year second baseman Hannah Adams helped put Florida on the board first. After missing the final 14 games of the 2022 regular season due to a throwing hand injury, Adams returned to the plate to the delight of Florida fans.

    The two-time All SEC first team selectee took the plate and singled, before being brought home on an RBI single from third baseman Charla Echols.

    Adams would add on the final run of the game for Florida in miraculous fashion on a double-steal, RBI double bunt which brought home centerfielder Kendra Falby.

    From there, it was all about the Gators defense.

    Florida ace Elizabeth Hightower earned her 15th win of the season after pitching five innings and allowing just three hits. Hightower gave up the Aggies only run of the game in the sixth inning before Natalie Lugo replaced her to deliver the save and close out the game for the Gators.

    Key Performances:

    • Hannah Adams, 2B
      • 2 H, 1 RBI
    • Kendra Falby, CF
      • 2 H, 2 R
    • Charla Echols, 3B
      • 2 H, 1 R, 1 RBI

    Pitching Decision

    • Elizabeth Hightower, UF: W (15-7)
      • 5.1 IP, 3 H, 1 K, 1 ER, 2.22 ERA
    • Grace Uribe, TAMU: L (5-4)
      • 1.1 IP, 5 H, 0 K, 4 ER, 5.58 ERA
    • Natalie Lugo, UF: Save (4)
      • 0.1 IP, 0 H, 0 K, 0 ER, 2.21 ERA

    On Deck

    Up next, Florida takes on fourth-seeded Kentucky. UK is loaded with offense, ranking top-ten nationally in batting average and scoring. UF has yet to take on the Wildcats this season, and will need its defense to step up once more to claim victory and punch its ticket to the tournament semifinals.

    First pitch on Thursday is set for 5 p.m. The game will be broadcast on the SEC Network.