MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. | 2023 Black College World Series championship head coach Florentino Burgos enters his eighth season as FMU's head baseball coach. He'll begin the 2024 campaign on Friday, when the team will travel to Jacksonville, Fla. to take on NCAA Division II foe and fellow Florida HBCU, Edward Waters.

"We're gearing up for an exciting spring 2024 season with high expectations and a promising lineup," said Burgos. "Among the key returners are Max Charnin, Ulises Rodriguez, Ivan Zambrano, and William Hiciano, providing a strong foundation for the team."

The team features a combination of returning players from last year's squad, along with a multitude of new additions. Burgos believes the mix of new and familiar faces is what the team needs to rise to the top.

"We bolstered our roster with guys like Ernie Farrell, Alejandro Fernandez, and Carlos Solano, who are expected to contribute significantly," Burgos continued. "The combination of experienced returners and talented newcomers positions the team for a successful season."

In 2023, the Lions finished 22-24, securing a spot in the SUN Conference Tournament for the first time since 2020, before falling to top-ranked Southeastern 6-5 in the first round. The team was then eliminated from SUN Tournament play with a 10-8 loss to Keiser.

First pitch is scheduled for 6 p.m. in Jacksonville, Fla.