NEW HAVEN, Conn. (May 9, 2025) – Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference champion Wilmington University and CACC at-large representative Goldey-Beacom College advanced in the winners’ bracket of the 2025 NCAA Division II East Region 2 Softball Championship with opening round victories on Thursday. The double-elimination event is being hosted by Goldey-Beacom at the Jackson Athletic Complex.
Wilmington began the day with a 4-2 victory over Southern New Hampshire University. Goldey-Beacom followed by defeating fellow CACC at-large representative University of Bridgeport, 7-5. The Wildcats and Lightning will meet today at 10:30 a.m., followed by an elimination game between Bridgeport and Southern New Hampshire at 2 p.m. and a second elimination game at 4 p.m.
No. 2 seed Wilmington (33-16) received six innings of shutout relief pitching from Delani Sheehan. Gracie Mabrey lined a tiebreaking two-run single in the bottom of the fifth inning for the winning margin.
Caitlyn Burch struck out 10 batters in 4 2/3 innings of shutout relief for No. 3 seed Goldey-Beacom (38-14), which set its program record for victories and earned its first NCAA Tournament win. Ariana Mirenda had a tiebreaking RBI single in the fourth, and Bryn Bohmann drove in four runs. Bridgeport pitcher Kaite Burawski reached 1,000 career strikeouts despite the loss. Angela Oros homered for the Purple Knights (33-15).
The East Regional 2 is a double-elimination event. The winner will play against the East Regional 1 champion in a best-of-three series next weekend for the regional title and the right to advance to nationals.
The Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference is celebrating the 20th anniversary of its affiliation with NCAA Division II. Conference institutions compete for championships in 18 sports – eight for men, nine for women, and one co-ed. The CACC contains 12 members in Connecticut, Delaware, New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania. Membership includes Bloomfield College of Montclair State University, the University of Bridgeport, Caldwell University, Chestnut Hill College, Dominican University New York, Felician University, Georgian Court University, Goldey-Beacom College, Holy Family University, Post University, Thomas Jefferson University, and Wilmington University.