Florida Gators

Major: Physical Education Training

AS A REDSHIRT FRESHMAN (2006): Made nine relief appearances for the Gators and was 0-1 in 8.2 innings of action…Registered eight strikeouts and permitted four walks…Retired both batters he faced against Arkansas in his SEC debut on March 19, a contest in which Florida overcame a 7-0 deficit and pulled out an 8-7 triumph…Was on the hook for the 3-2 defeat to Mercer after allowing five hits and two runs in two frames…Pitched a scoreless ninth inning in his first collegiate action, a 10-0 shutout of Cincinnati in UF's season opener at McKethan Stadium.

(2005): Earned a redshirt in his first collegiate season…Participated in one game during the 2005 campaign, serving as a pinch runner in the Gators' season opener against Charleston Southern on Feb. 11…Joined classmates Jared Kubin and Stephen Locke on the SEC Freshman Academic Honor Roll.

HIGH SCHOOL: Four-year letterwinner for head coach Stuart Chester at Cartersville High School…The Purple Hurricanes claimed three-consecutive state championships between 2001-03 and fell in the final round of the 2004 Class AAA tournament…Matched up against current Gator teammate Josh Edmondson of LaGrange High School in the opener of the best-of-three title series…Found himself on the short end of a 4-1 decision…Chosen his team's Most Valuable Pitcher both his junior and senior campaigns and collected the squad's Most Valuable Player hardware last spring…Crafted an unblemished 12-0 record as a junior, with a 1.12 ERA and 103 strikeouts…The victory total was a single-season school record…His club finished 30-5 that season…Tossed a complete game as the Purple Hurricanes accomplished a three-peat of state crowns…Earned the Most Improved Award as a sophomore and claimed the Future Hurricane Award as a freshman…Has represented Team Georgia for the past two summers…Also played basketball and was a member of the Chipper Newspaper staff at Cartersville.

HIGHTOWER'S CAREER HIGHS
Innings (Starter): None
Innings (Reliever): 2.0 vs. Mercer (2/15/06)
Strikeouts: 2 (three times)
Hits Allowed: 5 vs. South Carolina (3/26/06) & Mercer (2/15/06)
Runs: 7 vs. South Carolina (3/26/06)
Earned Runs: 4 vs. Missouri (2/24/06)
Walks: 1 (four times)