Buc’ing the trend!

Florida SouthWestern State wins first ever DI JUCO National Softball Championship

YUMA, Ariz ( KYMA, KECY-TV ) - 16 of the top DI JUCO softball teams arrived in Yuma a week ago in search for the 2021 DI JUCO National Softball title. After the dust settled, it was the #3 seeded Buccaneers of Florida SouthWestern State that left the Pacific Avenue Sports Complex with the national title. It's the first National Title for the Buccaneers in program history.

Florida SouthWestern entered the tournament 44-4 on the year. They were widely considered the #1 seed in teh tournament but an early loss in the FCSAA State Tournament to defending national champion Chipola, nearly derailed their hopes for a national title bid. The Buccaneers took the hard road in qualifying for the tournament, fighting off elimination three times to top 15 ranked teams to claim the South Atlantic B District Championship.

Once they arrived at the Pacific Avenue Athletic Complex, the Buccaneers survived a number of close calls. On day one, the Buccaneers had no problems with the #14 seed Central Alabama, knocking off the Trojans 13-3. On Day two, the Buccaneers scored four runs in the bottom of the 7th inning to win in walk off fashion versus #6 seed Seminole State, 14-13. On day three, trailing 1-0 to #2 seed Butler, the Buccaneers rallied for two runs in the bottom of the 5th on hung on to win 2-1.

In the semi-final round, the Buccaneers handled the #8 seed San Jacinto-South Coyotes 10-2. The win sent FSW to the title game undefeated. On Saturday, they met the #4 Grayson Vikings, Grayson needed to defeat FSW twice for the national championship. FSW took care of business in game one, defeating Grayson 5-1 and not allowing a second game.