2019-2020 FSW Softball News

Season
21 FSW Student-Athletes Earn NJCAA All-Academic Honors
21 FSW Student-Athletes Earn NJCAA All-Academic Honors

After posting the highest winning percentage in the Suncoast Conference on the court and in the field for the second straight season this year, the Florida SouthWestern State Buccaneers showed their true STUDENT-Athlete prowess on Wednesday as a conference high 21 Bucs earned NJCAA All-Academic Team honors. 

FSW Volleyball, Softball, Women's Basketball Earn NJCAA Academic Team of the Year Awards
FSW Volleyball, Softball, Women's Basketball Earn NJCAA Academic Team of the Year Awards

All three Florida SouthWestern State women's athletics teams were honored by the NJCAA on Monday as the Bucs Volleyball, Softball, and Women's Basketball teams were named NJCAA Academic Teams of the Year by the organization.  

Moore Inks With Rollins
Moore Inks With Rollins

Florida SouthWestern outfielder Lexi Moore will go from one of the top NJCAA Softball programs to one of the top NCAA Division II programs next season, signing her National Letter of Intent to play for Rollins College in Winter Park on Monday.  

FSW Top 10 Moments of 2019-20; #1- Corbin’s Grand Slam Walks Off Central Florida
FSW Top 10 Moments of 2019-20; #1- Corbin’s Grand Slam Walks Off Central Florida

The State Championship rematch battle between #2 Central Florida and #3 Florida SouthWestern lived up to its billing at City of Palms Park in Downtown Fort Myers in late February.  Game one of the doubleheader came down to the final pitch, which is what brings us to our #1 moment on our list of the Top 10 Moments of the 2019-20 FSW Athletics Year, Lindsey Corbin’s walk off grand slam.

FSW Top 10 Moments of 2019-20; #8 Ellefson Blasts Three Home Runs Against Miami Dade
FSW Top 10 Moments of 2019-20; #8 Ellefson Blasts Three Home Runs Against Miami Dade

Hitting home runs was commonplace for the Florida SouthWestern Softball team in 2020 as they blasted 32 longballs in just 25 games, but what Haley Ellefson did against Miami Dade on March 5th is something that may never be replicated.

NJCAA/FCSAA Approve Return to Play Plan For 2020-2021
NJCAA/FCSAA Approve Return to Play Plan For 2020-2021

After a series of one after another bad news reports regarding COVID-19 ended their 2019-2020 athletics year in March, the Florida SouthWestern State Buccaneers got some good news on Thursday as the FCSAA Council of Presidents approved the NJCAA and the FCSAA AD’s plans to play the 2020-2021 seasons as planned, beginning in August. 

Bowers Named FSW's First Academic All-American
Bowers Named FSW's First Academic All-American

For the first time in history Florida SouthWestern has an Academic All-American® as Softball player Owen Bowers was bestowed the honor on Monday by CoSIDA after posting a 4.00 GPA in the classroom and blasting 18 home runs and driving in 94 runs the past two years on the field. 

Florida SouthWestern Softball Team of the Decade- 2010s
Florida SouthWestern Softball Team of the Decade- 2010s

We wrap up our four part series today on the Florida SouthWestern State Teams of the Decade as we look at 10 of the best Buccaneers Softball talents of all-time.  Reemerging in 2016, the FSW Softball Team has been one of the elite programs in the country for the past five seasons.  The Bucs have won four straight Suncoast Conference Championships and a pair of State Championships, while making three trips to the NJCAA National Tournament. 

FSW Again the Class of the FCSAA in 2019-20
FSW Again the Class of the FCSAA in 2019-20

For the second consecutive season, the Florida SouthWestern State Athletics Department recorded the highest winning percentage of any team in the FCSAA.

FSW A Recruiting Hotbed For Division I Schools Once Again
FSW A Recruiting Hotbed For Division I Schools Once Again

While Florida SouthWestern State College recently completed just its fifth year of NJCAA competition, it has already become a hotspot on NCAA Division I coaches' recruiting trail.  

Photo by Linwood Ferguson
Promising Season Cut Short For FSW Softball

The Florida SouthWestern State Softball team was in the midst of another record breaking season in 2020 when it was abruptly ended due to the COVID-19 Pandemic.  The Buccaneers had built up a 23-2 overall record as they approached the midway point of the season while earning wins over both the defending National Champion Chipola Indians and the nation’s #2 ranked team in Central Florida. 

Julia De Sa (Photo by Andrea Melendez/The News-Press/USA Today Florida Network)
Bucs' International Student-Athletes Face Tough Decisions in Wake of COVID-19 Pandemic

Of the 75 athletes that originate from outside of the United States between Florida Gulf Coast University and Florida Southwestern State College, a good amount are stuck in Fort Myers in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic.

NJCAA Cancels Remainder of 2020 Winter & Spring Sport Seasons
NJCAA Cancels Remainder of 2020 Winter & Spring Sport Seasons

After careful thought and consideration, the NJCAA has decided to cancel the rest of the 2020 Athletics season due to the rapidly changing situation concerning COVID-19. The cancellation effects the Florida SouthWestern State Men’s & Women’s Basketball teams as well as the Bucs’ Baseball and Softball squads. 

FCSAA Suspends All Competitions Through March 28th
FCSAA Suspends All Competitions Through March 28th

Due to the continued concern of COVID-19 the the FCSAA has suspended all competitions, effective immediately, through March 28th.   At that time, the organization's Council of Presidents will reaccess the situation and determine whether they feel competition between teams is safe once again.

O'Donnell Named FCSAA Pitcher of the Week
O'Donnell Named FCSAA Pitcher of the Week

Tossing five innings and allowing just one hit last week, Florida SouthWestern State Softball pitcher Alyssa O’Donnell has been named the FCSAA Pitcher of the Week as announced by the league on Tuesday.

Do It All Ellefson Named State Player of the Week
Do It All Ellefson Named State Player of the Week

Two weeks ago, Florida SouthWestern State Softball star Haley Ellefson was named the FCSAA Pitcher of the Week for her work in the circle for the Buccaneers.  Tuesday, the sophomore was given a different honor as she was named the state’s Player of the Week.