Bucs Open 2026 Ranked #2
The Florida SouthWestern Buccaneers will open the 2026 Softball season ranked #2 in the NJCAA National Rankings as announced Tuesday by the National Office.
CHARLOTTE, N.C.- The Florida SouthWestern Buccaneers will open the 2026 Softball season ranked #2 in the NJCAA National Rankings as announced Tuesday by the National Office.
The Bucs finished 56-7 a season ago, winning the Citrus Conference and FCSAA Championships before finishing as runners-up at the NJCAA World Series. FSW brings back seven players to the fold in 2026 including 1st Team All-Conference outfielder Noelani Livingstone and a pair of All-Conference pitchers in Lizzy Kwakernaak and Zoe Yzaguirre.
The team that knocked the Bucs off in the 2025 National Championship Game, Northwest Florida, begins the season at #1 while a pair of Lone Star State squads in Grayson and McLennan check in behind the Bucs at #3 and #4. FSW is one of seven FCSAA teams in the poll with Northwest Florida and the Bucs on top, followed by Indian River at #8, Chipola at #11, Eastern Florida and Santa Fe at #16 and #17, and Seminole State at #23. As it sits now, the Bucs will play 19 games against teams ranked in the Preseason Top 25 this season.
The Bucs open their 2026 season on Saturday, January 31st when they make the trip up the coast to Clearwater to participate in the kickoff classic where they will take on Pensacola State and Air Force Prep on Opening Day.