Times staff, wires
Sunday, February 20, 2011
GAINESVILLE — Four pitchers combined on a four-hitter as Florida beat USF 5-0 Sunday, completing a three-game season-opening sweep in front of 3,852 at McKethan Stadium.
Making his collegiate debut, Karsten Whitson, the ninth overall pick in last year's draft who rejected a $2.1 million offer from the Padres, struck out nine, walked one and allowed just a first-inning single in five innings.
"It felt good, I was really excited and just wanted to get out there and throw strikes," Whitson said.
The Gators tied a school record with their 18th straight win at home.
fsu 15, vmi 0: Former Alonso High standout Sherman Johnson went 2-for-4 to extend his hitting streak to 12 games as the host Seminoles swept the season-opening three-game series.
TAMPA 8, STILLMAN 2: Eric Grabe allowed two hits in six innings as the host Spartans (8-2) swept a four-game series.
Big East wins: The Big East came out on top in the third annual Big East-Big Ten Challenge. The Big East won five of the eight games Sunday to finish the three-day event with a 14-10 advantage. Games involving eight teams from each conference were played at Al Lang Field and the Walter Fuller Complex in St. Petersburg, and Jack Russell Stadium in Clearwater.
Swimming: Florida junior Teresa Crippen took home the school's final title of the SEC swimming and diving championships, winning the women's 200 fly with an NCAA automatic qualifying mark of 1:53.95, third fastest in the country this year. Crippen, whose older brother Fran died in the fall while competing for the U.S. national team, helped the host Gator women finish second to Georgia 720-678. The men also finished second, 799-782 to Auburn.
Track: USF sophomore Derrick Hopkins became the first in school history to win both the 60 meters and 200 meters at the Big East Championships in Akron, Ohio. Hopkins, named the meet's top performer, had a career-best time of 6.77 to win the 60. He won the 200 in 21.30.