ChompTalk.com

Chomping at the bit for Florida Athletics

recent posts

about

Thanks for all the support. I hope you have enjoyed reading this blog as much as I have enjoyed writing it. Anyone with comments/questions/suggestions please email me at: bdfoxjr@chomptalk.com
  • MBB: Gators Upset No. 2 Auburn, 63-62

    MBB: Gators Upset No. 2 Auburn, 63-62

    Photo by James Gilbert | Getty Images

    7.5 seconds on the game clock, Florida leads the nation’s No. 2 ranked team, Auburn, 63-62. Tigers have possession and inbound from the sideline three-quarters of the court away from the basket. Auburn’s Wendell Green receives the ball and scurries upcourt. He then runs right into his teammate and three Gators defenders near the top of the offensive circle before throwing an errant pass down low as time expires.

    The crowd goes wild as Florida has upset a top-two team for the first time since 2009 and several students made their way onto the court to celebrate with a mini-court storming.

    “This is a resilient group,” said head coach Mike White, “Auburn has a chance to win the whole thing and we just beat them, so, great win for us, obviously.”

    Overall, the Gators are 17-10 and 7-7 in the SEC following the upset. The Tigers fall to 24-3 and 12-3 in league play.

    Both teams played through a sluggish first half, but Florida entered the break with a slim 22-21 advantage. Additionally, both teams endured long spells without scoring in the first twenty minutes.

    After Colin Castleton opened the second half scoring with a pair of free throws, Auburn responded by going on a 10-0 run over nearly three minutes.

    The Tigers lead swelled to as much as eight with 10:57 remaining, but the Gators continued to fight back. With 7:36 to play, Florida took a lead after back to back threes from Tyree Appleby and Phlandrous Fleming. The UF lead ballooned to eight after another Appleby trey with 2:16, but Auburn had another run in them, cutting the lead to two points and eventually one point with 7.5 seconds remaining.

    The Gators were led by Appleby (26) and Castleton (19) in the scoring column. Appleby connected on 7-15 from the floor, including 5-10 from long range, and made 7-8 from the free throw line. Castleton added eight rebounds.

    The quad-one win puts Florida back in the conversation for an NCAA Tournament bid, though a lot will be decided over the final four games of the regular season and the conference tournament.

    The Gators will face Arkansas on Tuesday at Exactech Arena. Tipoff is scheduled for 7:00 PM with ESPN 2 broadcasting the game live.

  • LAX: Florida outmatched by North Carolina

    LAX: Florida outmatched by North Carolina

    Photo by Brian Fox | ChompTalk

    Florida’s first major test of the season arrived Saturday in the form of the No. 2 ranked North Carolina Tarheels. Despite an admirable effort to keep up with one of the nation’s top teams, the Gators were eventually overwhelmed by the surgical UNC attack.

    No. 7 Florida (1-1) fell to No. 2 North Carolina (3-0) 15-11 Saturday in a battle of two top-ten programs. The Tarheels outshot Florida 34-25 and forced 10 Gators turnovers.

    “We played hard against a tough top-five opponent today,” head coach Amanda O’Leary said. “A lot of credit goes to how resilient our players showed to be after finding themselves down.”

    Florida wasted no time in finding the opening goal. Sophomore Danielle Pavinelli weaved through the Tarheel defense to score the opening goal on the Gators opening possession. The 2021 American Conference freshman of the year finished the game contributing to eight total points.

    North Carolina answered quickly with a goal from Scottie Rose Growney. The fifth-year out of Berwyn, PA scored 46 goals last season for the Tarheels. Both teams opened the matchup playing aggressive man defense and pushing the ball up hard in transition. Junior Emily Heller reclaimed the lead for Florida on an unassisted goal. The goal marks Heller’s second goal on just three shots this season.

    The lead was short-lived, as UNC began to find their rhythm late in the first quarter. Junior Elizabeth Hillman found the back of the net from the 12-foot arc to tie and Jamie Ortega made it a 3-2 Tarheel lead just moments after. The ‘Heels would score twice more in the first to close out the quarter with a 5-2 lead.

    The second quarter proved to be just as back and forth, as both teams traded goals with the other. Florida was able to close some ground thanks to two late-quarter goals from Pavinelli, but UNC maintained control, having an answer and then some for each of UF’s points. At the end of the first half, the Tarheel advantage was 9-6 over Florida. 

    It was a much quieter third quarter for Florida. The Gators managed just two shots on goal and converted just one off the stick of freshman Emma LoPinto. North Carolina, on the other hand, kept their momentum going. The Tarheels peppered Gators keeper Sarah Reznick with seven shots on goal in the third and found the back of the net three times. Entering the final quarter of play, Florida trailed 13-7.

    Despite a four-goal effort in the final period, UNC answered with two of their own and Florida relinquished victory to the Tarheels. Pavinelli led the way for the Gators, finishing with six goals and two assists, both team highs. Reznick earned seven saves on 15 goals allowed.

    “It is great to face such strong competition early in the season,” O’Leary said. “Now we can go learn from this and get ready for Maryland next Saturday.”

    Florida travels to College Park, MD for their next contest against the Maryland Terrapins on Feb. 26 at noon.

  • BSB: Thompson, Barco Lead Gators to Season Opening Win over Liberty

    BSB: Thompson, Barco Lead Gators to Season Opening Win over Liberty

    Photo by Brian Fox | ChompTalk

    The Florida Gators opened the 2022 season with a dominant win led by two of their returning veterans. LHP Hunter Barco pitched six strong innings while OF Sterlin Thompson provided the power with a pair of no-doubt homers off the batter’s eye in center to lead Florida past Liberty, 7-2.

    Barco was electric as he relied mostly on his fastball and slider. He struck out the first five hitters he faced and finished with a career-high eleven.

    The southpaw ran into a little trouble in the sixth inning, after a walk and a single, but recovered with an inning ending strikeout to complete his outing.

    As for the offense, the Gators got on the scoreboard in the first inning on an RBI groundout by Kendrick Calilao that sent Jud Fabian home.

    In the second inning, OF Wyatt Langford crushed a ball over the fence in center to put Florida up 2-0.

    Thompson’s first homer came in the fifth inning, a solo blast the banged about halfway up the batter’s eye. Two innings later, Thompson’s grand slam hit a similar area of the batters eye and put the Gators on top 7-0.

    Liberty added a pair of runs in the eighth including a solo homer by Derek Orndorff, who made an insane catch in center to rob Jud Fabian of extra bases earlier in the game.

    A trio of freshmen saw action out of the bullpen for the Gators: Nick Ficarrotta, Philip Abner, and Ryan Slater.

    Thompson finished with a career high 5 RBI.

    Florida and Liberty will continue the series on Saturday at 4:00 PM.

  • SB: Wallace’s 4-RBI Night Carries Florida Past Duke

    SB: Wallace’s 4-RBI Night Carries Florida Past Duke

    Photo by Brian Fox | ChompTalk

    After run-ruling Jacksonville Wednesday in its home opener, No. 4 Florida cruised to a 9-3 victory over No. 14 Duke Friday night in Gainesville.

    The Gators started right-hander Lexie Delbrey, but the freshman lasted only one inning after she surrendered a two-run double.

    Senior right-hander Elizabeth Hightower came in for relief in the top of the second and pitched the remaining six frames. Hightower allowed only one run on two hits and a walk en route to picking up her fourth win already this season.

    Florida’s offense racked up 10 hits and quickly erased its 2-0 deficit in the bottom of the first. Redshirt junior first baseman Skylar Wallace hit a two-out solo shot — her first as a Gator — before senior center fielder Cheyenne Lindsey poked a two-run double into centerfield.

    An inning later, Wallace drove in another run via an infield single to give the Gators a 4-2 advantage.

    Florida stranded a pair of baserunners in the third, but Wallace and senior third baseman Charla Echols plated two more runs in the fourth.

    The Gators scored three final insurance runs in the bottom of the fifth. Wallace drew a bases-loaded walk to compete her 4-RBI outing.

    Final (R/H/E)

    No. 14 Duke: 3 / 3 / 1

    No. 4 Florida: 9 / 10 / 1

    Pitching Decision

    Win: Hightower (4-0)

    Loss: Walters (2-2)

    Individual Stats

    Delbrey: 1 IP, 1 H, 2 ER, 1 BB, 0 K, 3 WP

    Hightower: 6 IP, 2 H, 1 ER, 1 BB, 4 K

    1. LF Falby: 2-4, 2 R, K
    2. 2B Adams: 1-3, R, RBI, BB
    3. 1B Wallace: 2-3, R, 4 RBI, HR (1), BB, SB
    4. 3B Echols: 1-4, R, 2 RBI
    5. SS Walsh: 1-3, R, BB
    6. CF Lindsey: 2-4, 2 RBI
    7. C Wilkie: 0-1, R, BB, K
    8. RF A. Goelz: 0-3, 2 K
    9. DP Kistler: 1-2, 2 R, BB

    Saturday Doubleheader

    Florida will face Villanova Saturday at 11:30 a.m. followed by Louisville at 2 p.m. The Gators will wrap up the T-Mobile Tournament Sunday afternoon at 2 against Florida A&M.

  • SB: Gators Run-Rule Dolphins in Home Opener

    SB: Gators Run-Rule Dolphins in Home Opener

    Photo by Brian Fox | ChompTalk

    Following Tuesday’s away run-rule victory, the Gators shut out the Jacksonville Dolphins 8-0 Wednesday after just six innings in their home opener at Katie Seashole Pressly Stadium.

    Freshman right-hander Lexie Delbrey made her second career start for Florida. The Bainbridge, Georgia, native struck out nine batters across four innings.

    In the top of the fifth, Florida senior Elizabeth Hightower entered the circle and pitched two scoreless frames en route to earning her first save this season.

    Seven different Gators recorded a hit, led by senior center fielder Cheyenne Lindsey’s multi-hit performance. Lindsey poked an infield single in the second inning before the Chattanooga, Tennessee, native hit an RBI triple in the bottom of the sixth.

    Later that inning, fifth-year second baseman Hannah Adams drove in Florida’s sixth run of the game via a sacrifice fly. The ensuing batter — redshirt junior first baseman Skylar Wallace — belted a two-run double into right-center gap to clinch Florida’s third consecutive run-rule victory.

    Final (R/H/E)

    Jacksonville: 0 / 3 / 2

    No. 4 Florida: 8 / 8 / 1

    Pitching Decision

    Win: Delbrey (2-0)

    Loss: Harpe (0-3)

    Save: Hightower (1)

    Individual Stats

    Delbrey: 4 IP, 2 H, 0 ER, 3 BB, 9 K

    Hightower: 2 IP, 1 H, 0 ER, 1 BB, 2 K

    1. LF Falby: 1-3, 3 R, 1 HBP, 1 K, 2 SB
    2. 2B Adams: 0-2, 1 RBI, 1 BB
    3. 1B Wallace: 1-3, 1 R, 3 RBI, 1 BB, 1 SB
    4. 3B Echols: 1-3
    5. SS Walsh: 1-1, 1 RBI, 1 BB
    6. CF Lindsey: 2-3, 1 R, 1 RBI
    7. DP Longley: 1-2
    8. C Roe: 0-2
    9. RF A. Goelz: 1-3, 1 R, 1 RBI

    Next Up

    The Gators will prepare to host four teams — No. 14 Duke, Villanova, Louisville and Florida A&M — this weekend in the T-Mobile Tournament. The Gators will face Duke Friday at 6 p.m. ahead of a Saturday doubleheader.

  • Walsh Hits Grand Slam as Gators Run-Rule Dolphins in Jacksonville

    Walsh Hits Grand Slam as Gators Run-Rule Dolphins in Jacksonville

    Photo by Brian Fox | ChompTalk

    Following a 4-0 performance in the USF Tournament in Tampa last weekend, the Gators run-ruled Jacksonville 13-1 on the road Tuesday after just five innings.

    Florida scored only one run through the first two innings courtesy of leadoff hitter Kendra Falby scoring on first baseman Skylar Wallace’s sacrifice fly in the top of the first.

    After a sluggish start, Florida’s offense opened the floodgates in the third and fourth innings when they tacked on four runs followed by eight insurance runs.

    In the top of the fourth, freshman shortstop Reagan Walsh hit a grand slam — her first collegiate career home run — to put the Gators in run-rule position up 11-0. Four batters later, right fielder Avery Goelz hit a two-out, two-run bomb to give Florida a 13-0 advantage.

    After starting the season 1-17 at the plate, Florida cleanup hitter Charla Echols found her stride Tuesday with a three-hit, three-RBI outing.

    Fifth-year pitcher Natalie Lugo threw four shutout frames before right-hander Marissa Mesiemore entered the circle in the bottom of the fifth. Mesiemore fanned two batters, but the graduate student gave up an unearned run due to an error on Walsh.

    Final (R/H/E)

    No. 4 Florida: 13 / 13 / 1

    Jacksonville: 1 / 4 / 0

    Pitching Decision

    Win: Lugo (1-0)

    Loss: Whitty (0-3)

    Individual Stats

    Lugo: 4 IP, 3 H, 0 ER, 1 BB, 4 K

    Mesiemore: 1 IP, 1 H, 0 ER, 1 BB, 2 K

    1. LF Falby: 2-3, 3 R, 1 BB, 1 SB
    2. 2B Adams: 1-4, 1 R
    3. 1B Wallace: 1-1, 2 R, 2 RBI, 1 BB, 1 HBP
    4. 3B Echols: 3-4, 2 R, 3 RBI, 1 K
    5. SS Walsh: 3-4, 1 R, 6 RBI, HR (1)
    6. CF Lindsey: 1-3, 1 R
    7. C Wilkie: 0-1, 2 BB
    8. DP Kistler: 0-3
    9. RF A. Goelz: 2-2, 3 R, 2 RBI, 1 BB, HR (1)

    Next Up

    The Gators will return to Gainesville for their home opener Wednesday as they get set for a rematch against Jacksonville. First pitch is scheduled for 6 p.m.

  • LAX: Two Gators awarded weekly conference honors

    LAX: Two Gators awarded weekly conference honors

    Photo via Gainesville Sports Commission

    Wednesday, two members of the Florida women’s lacrosse team were given weekly honors from the American Athletic Conference. The recognition comes after a dominant season opener against Kennesaw State.

    Emma LoPinto was named the AAC Freshman of the Week after a historic performance on the field Saturday, finding the back of the net six times. That feat marks the most goals by a UF freshman in a game and ties for the most goals in a season opener. The Manhasset, NY native now leads the conference in goals per game after opening weekend.

    Sophomore Danielle Pavinelli also earned some spotlight after recording a career-high six points. The former AAC Freshman of the Year and all-conference second team nominee was named to the AAC Honor Roll, her third weekly honor during her tenure at Florida.

    Both LoPinto and Pavinelli will play central roles in Florida’s season, and the team will be relying on their production as the 2022 schedule gets underway.

    Florida takes on Scotland in exhibition Feb. 15 at 6:30 p.m. in Donald R. Dizney Stadium.

  • SB: Gators Sweep Opening Weekend USF Tournament

    SB: Gators Sweep Opening Weekend USF Tournament

    Photo by Brian Fox | ChompTalk

    The Gators surrendered only one run across 28 inning of softball this past weekend in Tampa at the USF Tournament. Five different Florida pitchers threw at least an inning led by senior right-hander Elizabeth Hightower, who started two contests and appeared in another.

    Gator head coach Tim Walton credited the preparation of his pitching staff led by pitching coach Mike Bosch. “I thought the pitchers did a really good job,” Walton said. “I didn’t think Elizabeth Hightower was sharp in all three of her outings, but she really gutted it out and figured out how to do what she does.

    Walton gave freshman right-hander Lexie Delbrey — who pitched a scoreless frame Friday against Illinois State in her collegiate debut — the nod to start in the circle Saturday versus No. 16 Michigan. Delbrey exceeded expectations as the Bainbridge, Georgia, native hurled a one-hit, complete-game, shutout in Florida’s first ranked matchup this season.

    “This is one of my biggest dreams ever,” Delbrey said. “I was a little too excited at first, but then I kind of calmed down and then all of my pitches started settling down and looking better.”

    Following an unremarkable three-run performance Friday, Florida’s bats started to heat up Saturday against Kansas City when a sixth-inning hit parade produced four insurance runs. Senior center fielder Cheyenne Lindsey and fifth-year second baseman Hannah Adams drove a pair RBI triples into the opposite outfield gaps.

    Later that afternoon, Florida’s offense struggled against Michigan. The game was scoreless until the top of the sixth when Lindsey delivered a clutch, two-out, grand slam.

    In the final game, Florida scored six runs in the second inning and tacked on five more in the seventh en route to a commanding 12-0 victory over USF. A whopping 11 different Gators recorded a hit led by redshirt junior Skylar Wallace’s multi-single outing. After an uncharacteristic 0-12 start at the plate, senior third baseman Charla Echols poked a two-run double into center field.

    Game 1

    Florida: 3 / 6 / 0

    Illinois State: 0 / 3 / 1

    Win: Hightower (1-0)

    Loss: Ross (0-1)

    Save: Delbrey (1)

    Game 2

    Kansas City: 1 / 5 / 1

    Florida: 7 / 10 / 0

    Win: Hightower (2-0)

    Loss: Hovlenad (0-1)

    Game 3

    Florida: 4 / 6 / 0

    Michigan: 0 / 1 / 0

    Win: Delbrey (1-0)

    Loss: Beaubien (0-1)

    Game 4

    Florida: 12 / 12 / 0

    USF: 0 / 3 / 0

    Win: Hightower (3-0)

    Loss: Poepping (1-1)

    Save: Trlicek (1)

    Individual Stats

    1. 2B Adams: 6-12 (.500), 2 R, 2 RBI, 3B
    2. 1B Wallace: 5-14 (.357), 2 R, RBI, 3 SB
    3. 3B Echols: 1-16 (.063), 2 R, 2 RBI
    4. SS Walsh: 2-13 (.154), R, RBI
    5. C Wilkie: 2-4 (.500), 2 R
    6. CF Lindsey: 4-13 (.308), 4 R, 7 RBI, 3B, HR (1)
    7. C/DP Roe: 2-6 (.333), R, 2 RBI, HR (1)
    8. RF A. Goelz: 2-9 (.222), 3 R, 2 RBI, 3B
    9. LF Falby: 6-11 (.545), 3 R, 4 RBI, HR (1)
    • RHP Hightower: 12.1 IP, 6 H, 1 ER, 4 BB, 12 K (0.57 ERA; 0.81 WHIP)
    • RHP Delbrey: 8.1 IP, 1 H, 0 ER, 2 BB, 7 K (0.00 ERA; 0.36 WHIP)
    • RHP Lugo: 3.1 IP, 3 H, 0 ER, 2 BB, 3 K (0.00 ERA; 1.50 WHIP)
    • LHP Trlicek: 3 IP, 2 H, 0 ER, 0 BB, 1 K (0.00 ERA; 0.67 WHIP)
    • RHP Mesiemore: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 ER, 0 BB, 0 K (0.00 ERA; 0.00 WHIP)

    Next Up

    The Gators will travel north to face Jacksonville on the road Tuesday before they return to Gainesville for their home opener against the Dolphins on Wednesday. Both contests will begin at 6 p.m.

  • LAX: Florida unrelenting in season opening victory

    LAX: Florida unrelenting in season opening victory

    Photo by Brian Fox | ChompTalk

    Freshman Emma LoPinto made her debut as a Gator on Saturday against Kennesaw State. A college debut is something for the memory books, but LoPinto’s performance will place her in the history books as well. 

    Florida (1-0) defeated the Owls (0-1) 22-7 in an unstoppable team effort on both offense and defense. LoPinto, who now holds the UF record for most goals (6) in a season opener and most goals by a freshman, was joined by 11 other Gators in the goalscoring frenzy. 

    The Gators came out to an abrupt start, scoring their first two points before KSU could even gain possession. Multiple members of Florida’s squad had career nights, including a career-high in goals and assists from sophomore Danielle Pavinelli.

    The Owls made a valiant effort to keep up with Florida by drawing first blood in the second quarter, but Florida responded with a 6-0 run to put a sudden end to their opponent’s chances. The Gators forced ten turnovers and only allowed 18 shots from KSU.

    “It was great to get back out onto the field today,” Florida head coach Amanda O’Leary said in a release. “We saw a lot of bright spots, including some from our newcomers, but we were also able to see places where we need to improve to continue to have success.”

    Florida enters this season hoping to avenge its quarter-final defeat in the NCAA Tournament last season. The loss soured an 18-3 regular-season record with promising championship implications.

    Now ranked #1 in the American Athletic Conference preseason coaches poll and featuring six preseason All-AAC selectees, the Gators are expected to maintain similar production this spring. If Saturday’s opener is any indicator, Florida is in a good position as the season gets underway. 

    “We are looking forward to getting back to work and building on that foundation this week,” O’Leary said.

    The Gators will play in an exhibition game against Scotland on Tuesday before returning to regular season play against North Carolina at Donald R. Disney Stadium on Nov. 19 at noon.

  • LAX: Gators Open Season as AAC Favorite

    LAX: Gators Open Season as AAC Favorite

    The Florida Gators are set to open the 2022 season on Saturday with a matchup against Kennesaw State at Donald R. Disney Stadium. Expectations are high for a team that finished last year with an 18-3 record a year ago and advanced to the NCAA quarterfinals.

    The following is a preview of the 2022 Florida Gators lacrosse team:

    2021 Recap

    Florida once again swept its conference slate by going 10-0 in AAC play and then winning a pair of games in the conference tournament to earn another league title. The Gators dropped just two games in the regular season, including one against the nation’s No. 1 team, North Carolina. Led by the one-two punch of Shannon Kavanagh and Brianna Harris, whom tallied 97 and 95 points, respectively, Florida cruised past most of their opponents until dropping an Elite 8 matchup at Syracuse to end the season last May.

    2022 Preseason Rankings

    Florida opens the season as the favorites to win the American Athletic Conference in the preseason coaches poll. Florida received five of the six first place votes. Additionally, the Gators open the year ranked No. 7 nationally, according to the ILWCA.

    • #1 AAC Preseason Coaches Poll
    • #7 ILWCA Preseason Poll

    2022 Players to Watch

    G Sarah Reznick – 2022 Preseason All-American (2nd Team). Names to Tewaarton Award Watch List. Led the nation in save percentage (.567) and goals against average (6.42) last year. Also named AAC Goalkeeper of the Year as a freshman in 2021.

    M Danielle Pavinelli – Made 18 starts in 2021 and recorded 30 goals and 7 assists. A 2021 All-AAC selection (Second Team) and the Freshman of the Year in the conference.

    M Paisley Eagan – Preseason All-AAC. Finished 2022 with 32 goals on just 58 shots and 6 assists.

    M Emily Heller – Preseason All-AAC. Scored 12 goals and 2 assists in 20 games as a sophomore in 2021.

    D Emma Wrightman – AAC Preseason Defensive Player of the Year. Second Team All-AAC in 2021. Recorded 31 groundballs and 24 caused turnovers.

    D Becky Browndorf – Preseason All-AAC selection. Caused 16 turnovers and recorded 18 groundballs.

    Florida and Kennesaw State open the 2022 season on Saturday at 1:00 PM from Disney Stadium.