May 14, 2024
Bucs Get At-Large Bid to World Series, Headed Back to Oxford to Defend Their Title
After a few sleepless nights, the Florida SouthWestern State Buccaneers got the news they had hoped for on Tuesday as the Bucs were announced as one of four at-larges to the NJCAA Division I Softball World Series, giving FSW the ticket back to Oxford, Alabama to look for their fourth straight NJCAA National Championship.
OXFORD, Ala.- After a few sleepless nights, the Florida SouthWestern State Buccaneers got the news they had hoped for on Tuesday as the Bucs were announced as one of four at-larges to the NJCAA Division I Softball World Series, giving FSW the ticket back to Oxford, Alabama to look for their fourth straight NJCAA National Championship.
FSW heads to Alabama with a 54-8 record after spending the entirety of the 2024 season ranked inside the top five of the NJCAA National Rankings. The Bucs had to sweat a little bit though after failing to earn an automatic qualification bid for the first time in the past four seasons. Thankfully for FSW, the NJCAA expanded the World Series this season and added four at-large bids, one of which the Bucs earned to continue their season.
The Bucs drew the #4 seed and earned a first round bye. They will take on the winner of Monday's Odessa vs. Trinidad State matchup on Tuesday at noon (ET) at Choccolocco Park in Oxford in the second round.
McLennan is the top seed for the 2024 tournament with FCSAA State Champions Indian River and runners-up Northwest Florida in front of the Bucs at #2 and #3. If the Bucs can win their opening matchup, they will take on the winner of the 5/12 game between Temple and San Jacinto, both teams from the Lone Star State.
Bucs fans that can't make the trip to Alabama can keep track of their journey in a number of different ways as FSW will have an official watch party at Buckett's in Fort Myers for each game with their first game streamed on the NJCAA Network and subsequent games being streamed live on ESPN+. You can also get a behind the scenes look at the Bucs trip by following them on social media @FSWBucs.