Answering a couple of questions from readers and a few Gators tidbits
Friday, March 30, 2012 | Baseball, Men's Basketball, Women's Basketball, Football, Softball, Women's Swimming & Diving, Scott Carter
(Photo: Azania Stewart being defended by Baylor's Brittney Griner in NCAA Tournament).
Hey folks, since returning home early Sunday morning with the men's basketball team from Phoenix, I unplugged for a few days to catch up at home.
I stayed away from the laptop, Twitter and Facebook as much as possible. I also re-introduced myself to physical labor and quickly realized how thankful I am to type for a living.
Punching a keyboard is not nearly as sweaty as building a foundation for a storage shed.
While unplugged, here are a few notes worth passing along from the Gators sports world:
--Regular reader Collis Ray asks what happened to Gators softball slugger Brittany Schutte, a towering presence behind the plate and in the heart of the order when she is healthy. Schutte has not played since March 2 when she was hit in the face by an errant throw and suffered a broken jaw. There is no timetable for Schutte's return. She underwent surgery and had to have her jaw wired shut. The No. 4-ranked Gators (29-3) travel to Georgia this weekend for a three-game series. With Schutte out, Kelsey Horton (.346, 9 HRs, 32 RBIs) has picked up much of the slack.
--Gators sophomore tight end A.C. Leonard has rejoined the team for the final stage of spring practice. Leonard was suspended indefinitely by head coach Will Muschamp for an off-the-field altercation Leonard had with his girlfriend that resulted in Leonard being charged with simple battery. Muschamp addressed Leonard's status with the team earlier this week in a statement: “After a six-week suspension from team activities, A.C. Leonard has been cleared to return to practice only,” Muschamp said. “He still has a lot of things to work through before his status for the fall is addressed.”
--Gators reserve guard/forward Brittany Shine has decided to transfer after seeing limited playing time down the stretch of her sophomore season.
Shine, who came to UF from Sacramento, Calif., wrote on Twitter: “I miss the feeling of being able 2 look up in the stands and see my family, and I want to play closer to home.”
Shine was a personal favorite, always quick with a hello and smile when you crossed paths with her. Here is a story I wrote last year about her background and relationship with those back home in California.
Shine's departure, plus the loss of five seniors from last year's team means Gators coach Amanda Butler will have a much different roster next season. The Gators finished 20-13 and made the NCAA Tournament for the first time in three years, knocking off Ohio State in the first round before losing to Baylor in the second round.
--Speaking of women's basketball, Gators senior Azania Stewart played well in her final college game against Baylor's 6-foot-8 center Brittney Griner. Stewart's next challenge on the court is making Great Britain's national team that will compete in the 2012 London Olympics. Stewart is one of 20 players on Great Britain's preliminary squad announced Thursday.
--The Gainesville Sun caught up with Brad Beal's father. Beal recently finished his freshman season and is weighing his options this weekend with his family at their home in St. Louis. Beal's father said a tough decision looms for his son in this story from the Sun.
--Another regular reader, John Morris, asks about Gators sophomore pitcher Karsten Whitson, who has not pitched in more than a month. Whitson suffered early on from what they call a “dead arm” in baseball parlance and he has worked in recent weeks to strengthen it. Florida has taken a very cautious approach with Whitson. The Independent Florida Alligator updates the situation in this story posted Friday. The Gators open a three-game series at Ole Miss on Friday and Florida coach Kevin O'Sullivan has said Whitson is not expected to pitch in the series.
As for GatorZone.com, check us out all next week leading up to the Orange and Blue game for extended coverage on the final week of spring football. Hope you guys have a great weekend.
