Baseball fans can soon make their way to the bleachers, and the 2025 season is almost here in Southwest Florida. In Fort Myers, Florida, SouthWestern's baseball team is getting ready to suit up for the first game of the season this week, opening the season on the road on Friday.
"We feel prepared, and we're ready to go Friday," said FSW third baseman Michael McAloose.
The Buccaneers are feeling pretty good heading into the year ranked #4 in the NJCAA national preseason polls, the highest in program history.
"Obviously, we're humbled to be ranked that high in the preseason," said FSW head baseball coach Zac Cole. "We're gonna have to go out and earn it and prove it on the field that we're that good."
FSW is coming off of a stellar 2024 campaign. The Bucs finished as runners-up in the Citrus Conference standings, reached the FCSAA State Tournament Final Four for the first time in the regional era, and they spent five weeks among the top 20, peaking at #12.
"Last year was a big step forward for us," said Cole. "A lot of things that pushed us in a really positive direction, and we're hoping that we can take that next step this year."
This roster features five returners from last year, including some local names. Canterbury alum Michael McAloose and former Bishop Verot, and FGCU player Josiah Velazquez are both ready to lead the Bucs to even more success.
"I've been on a lot of good teams," said Velazquez, FSW sophomore pitcher. "But I think this one really stands out because we all come together, and we all produce what we need to do. And we all work together as a group to get to the championship."
The offseason brought in a slew of transfers from Division I programs, including many Power Five schools, as well as Junior College World Series contenders, all coming into this dugout as impact players.
"We have a lot of mature players this year," said McAloose. "A lot of people have played in this level before or a higher level. So just to be able to have that experience from players, I think it's going to help a lot. And I think we're gonna have a great year because of that."
The goal for these guys is to take this squad even further than before, aiming for the World Series in Grand Junction.
"We're looking to make a run to Colorado at the end of the year," said Cole. "So that's the goal, and we're not going to shy away from that. We're going to keep working this year and see if we can break through and get there for the first time in school history."
That journey starts this Friday, January 24, playing State College of Florida at Cool Today Park in Venice, then hosting St. Johns River back at Buccaneers Park on Saturday and Sunday.