CHARLOTTE, N.C.- Following a series sweep of the Santa Fe Saints to open the 2024 postseason, the Florida SouthWestern State Buccaneers have re-entered the NJCAA Top 20 in the final poll of the year, checking in at #19 with a 37-19 record. 

 

The Bucs kicked off postseason play last weekend at home in Fort Myers, sweeping a best two out of three series with Santa Fe to advance to the FCSAA State Tournament Final Four for the first time in the Regional Era. Friday the Bucs controlled the tempo in an 8-1 win over the Saints to jump out to the series lead and Saturday they sealed it with a 3-2 win to punch their ticket to Tampa. The Bucs have now won five of their last six to improve to 37-19 on the year. 

 

The country's lone 50 win team, Gaston, took all seven first place votes this week while Johnson County, Georgia Highlands and Iowa Western followed them in the poll. Northwest Florida was the highest ranked team from the FCSAA at #5 while Indian River climbed three spots to #10 with Chipola following the Bucs at #20 to round out the rankings. 

 

The Bucs will take the field again this weekend in Tampa when they compete in the FCSAA Final Four at George Steinbrenner Stadium Friday through Monday.  All four teams in the event are ranked in the Top 20 with the Bucs getting underway Friday at 5 PM when they take on #5 Northwest Florida for the third time this season.