The Florida SouthWestern State Buccaneers are back at it again, claiming the top spot in the preseason rankings for the fourth consecutive season. The NJCAA National Office declared them the kings of the land, and who can argue with that? These Bucs have been proving the voters right by snatching three straight national championships in recent years. Last season, they finished with a jaw-dropping 54-5 record, despite battling it out against some of the toughest competition out there. They even took down 18 ranked opponents, including four straight top 10 teams, to secure their third crown in Oxford, Alabama. Talk about dominance!
Now, let’s talk about the offensive firepower that this squad possesses. They’ve got All-American outfielder Sydney McCray, who batted a wicked .410 and swiped 26 bases last season. And that’s not all. They’ve got a trio of talented second-year players, D’Yani McKinley, Sietske Drijvers, and Maddy Golka, who all earned All-Conference honors in 2023. These young guns are ready to make their mark on the field.
But wait, there’s more! The Buccaneers have some serious pitching prowess as well. They’ve got Lea Chevrier, who was named the Most Outstanding Pitcher at the 2023 FCSAA State Tournament. And let’s not forget Esmee Ames, who posted an impressive 1.87 ERA as a freshman last season. These two hurlers are ready to shut down any opponent that dares to step up to the plate.
And let’s not forget about the competition. The preseason poll is stacked with FCSAA squads, with Northwest Florida State coming in at number two, Central Florida at number seven, Indian River at number ten, and Seminole State at lucky number thirteen. It’s going to be a battle, folks.
The defending champs are set to kick off their title defense this Saturday at the 2024 Juco Kickoff Classic in Clearwater. They’ll be facing off against Georgia Military and St. John’s River on opening day. But mark your calendars, because on February 1st, they’ll be making their triumphant return home to take on New College of Florida in their home opener. Get ready for another exciting season of Buccaneers softball, folks. These Bucs are looking to sail their ship straight to another championship.
