Posted: May 24, 2021
YUMA, Az.- After a cross country trip to the desert of the American Southwest, the Florida SouthWestern State Buccaneers are just 24 hours away from their 2021 NJCAA National Tournament opener against Central Alabama. The Bucs will open play at the tournament Tuesday at 4 PM (PST) at the PAAC Complex in Yuma, Arizona when they take on the Trojans in the first round.
FSW enters the tournament 44-4 on the year and as the #3 seed in the National Championship draw. They took the tough road in qualifying for the tournament, fighting off three straight Top 15 ranked teams in elimination games at the FCSAA State Tournament to claim the South Atlantic B District Championship with an 10-3 win over #12 Indian River all the way back on May 10th.
The Bucs offense has been one of the best in the country this season, ranking in the top 10 in batting average at .402, while averaging 9.25 runs per game on the year. Leading the way for the Bucs are speedsters Rebeca Laudino and Janessa Plummer who combined for 126 hits and 103 runs scored in 48 games this season. Laudino enters the tournament with a .497 average and is 33 of 36 in stolen bases on the year while Plummer led FSW with a .535 average which is good for 7th nationally. The two have set the table for a potent middle of the lineup for the Bucs led by Suncoast Conference Player of the Year Feline Poot. Poot comes to Yuma with a .409 average and a team best 17 home runs and 55 RBIs on the year. What Poot didn't clean up off the bases this season, Taylor Jensen and Natavia Ellis did, combining for 17 home runs and 99 RBIs on the year. Playing in her second National Tournament this week, Shanika Klett comes in hitting .459 with 37 RBIs on the year while shortstop Lindsey Corbin enters hitting .398 with seven home runs and 42 RBIs while also going 14 of 15 in stolen base attempts.
In the circle the Bucs have four arms that have worked in 14 or more games this season, combining for a 2.17 team ERA which ranks 5th nationally. FCSAA Pitcher of the Year Alyssa O'Donnell leads the bunch, entering the tournament at 20-1 with a 1.54 ERA on the year. Sarah Clontz has worked in 21 games and is a perfect 9-0 with a 2.20 ERA while Emily Perrin leads the club with 9.38 strikeouts per nine this season with 75 punchouts in 56 innings worked. Lefty Alyson Marcum came onto the scene late for the Bucs, going 6-1 with a pair of saves and a staff best 1.49 ERA in 14 contests.
In their first round contest, the Bucs will take on the #14 seeded Central Alabama Trojans. The Trojans enter the tournament at 43-13 and punched their ticket to the tournament with a pair of wins over USC Salkehatchie in their District Championship. They head into the tournament just 6-4 in their past 10 games with all four losses coming to Wallace State who is also in Yuma for the week. Leadoff hitter Natalie Ritchey leads the Trojans with a .440 average and 68 runs scored on the year while going 19 of 21 in stolen base attempts. Jada Askew has provided the thump in the middle of the lineup, clubbing 22 home runs and driving in 75 coming into the tournament. In the circle, staff ace Asia McWaters is 22-5 on the year and has spun 22 complete games in her 29 games pitched.
Joining the Bucs and Trojans in the Northeast quadrant are 6th seeded Seminole State (Ok) and 11th seeded Odessa (Tx).
Seminole comes into the tournament with the same record as the Bucs at 44-4. The Trojans suffered a shocking upset early in the South Central District Tournament, but bounced back with three dominating wins, outscoring their opponents 32-8 in their final three games to punch their ticket to Yuma. Seminole is led by National Player of the Year frontrunner Shea Moreno who has put up video game like numbers this season, hitting an NJCAA best .703 with 18 doubles, 21 home runs, and 99 RBIs while also swiping 35 bags on the year.
Odessa returns to the National Tournament fresh off of a thrilling extra innings win over Howard in the WJCAC Championship game in Lubbock, Texas. The Wranglers enter the tournament at 38-9 on the year and are winners of seven straight coming into the week. Odessa's pitching staff has pushed the Wranglers over the top of late, allowing just 1.29 runs per game during their seven game winning streak. Staff ace Aydenne Brown is 20-2 on the year with a 1.64 ERA while striking out 230 in 127 innings pitched. Offensively the Wranglers are paced by Hunter Harkrider and Illy Cisneros who each enter the week with 18 home runs on the year while combining for 138 RBIs.
Like FSW and Central Alabama, Seminole and Odessa will play at 4 PM (PST) Tuesday at the PAAC Complex in Yuma. The two winners will play each other Wednesday again at 4 PM while the losers will face their first elimination games of the week Wednesday at noon.
Live video of the Bucs opening game of the tournament is available HERE ($) while live stats are available HERE.
For more information on the Bucs run in Yuma including stats, recaps, photos, and more, stay tuned to FSWBucs.com or @FSWBucs on social media throughout the week.
