January 22, 2019

CHARLOTTE, N.C.- Coming off of a 53-5 season in which they finished 5^th at the NJCAA National Tournament, the Florida SouthWestern State Buccaneers will open 2019 ranked #3 as announced by the NJCAA Tuesday afternoon. 

FSW checks in at #3 to open the year, directly behind the two teams that played for the National Championship in 2018, Temple and Chipola.  Butler and Tyler round out the preseason top five.  As expected, Region VIII is well represented in the poll including four of the top eight and five of the top 12.  Along with Chipola and #2 and the Bucs at #3, Central Florida opens at #6, Indian River at #8, and Seminole State at #12.  No other state had more than three teams in the top 20. 

The Bucs posted their third straight 50 win campaign in 2018, winning their third straight Suncoast Conference Championship and their second straight FCSAA State Championship in the process.  FSW went a perfect 22-0 at home in the friendly confines of the historic City of Palms Park, finishing the season with an eye-opening .401 team batting average in the process. 

The Bucs return six key pieces from last year's squad including State Tournament MVP Kelsi Collins in the circle.  Collins went 15-1 with a 1.74 ERA in 112 1/3 innings pitched last season, striking out 117 opposing hitters in that time.  Also returning with Collins on the staff is Sarah Lawton who racked up 93 strikeouts in just 74 2/3 innings worked last season.  Lawton finished her freshman season 7-1 and led the team with a 1.13 ERA.  The Bucs return four position players with significant experience from a year ago.  Paris Woods, an All-Tournament Team member at the National Tournament, hit .397 with 25 stolen bases and 45 runs scored last season as a rookie. Madison Johnson was a 2^nd Team All-Suncoast pick while hitting .382 with 39 RBI's and 21 swipes on the year. Shanika Klett was a 1^st Team All-Conference selection, smacking five home runs while hitting .390 with 45 RBI's in 52 contests, and Elsie Rivera, who hit .385 with 24 RBI's for FSW. 

FSW opens its 2019 campaign on Friday, January 25^th in Clearwater where they will take on Team Puerto Rico, FSC-Jacksonville, and Santa Fe on day one of the kick off tournament.  They open their home slate on Tuesday, January 29^th when they host Palm Beach State at the historic City of Palms Field.  Admission and parking will be completely free for the opener against the Panthers. 

NJCAA PRESEASON TOP 20

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