NEW HAVEN, Conn. (April 24, 2026) – Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference members University of Bridgeport, Caldwell University, and Goldey-Beacom College are under consideration for the 2026 NCAA Division II Softball Championship tournament, the NCAA D-II Softball Committee announced on Wednesday.
The committee released its first set of regional rankings for all eight NCAA Division II regions on Wednesday. Teams under consideration in each region were announced in alphabetical order. Nine teams were listed as under consideration in the East Region, including the Purple Knights, Cougars and Lightning, for the eight available berths. The committee will release rankings in rank order on April 29 and May 6.
Caldwell (24-14, 14-2 CACC) is in first place in the CACC and has cliched the top seed for the conference championship tournament. Bridgeport (24-18, 9-5) and Goldey-Beacom (20-16, 9-7) were NCAA Tournament qualifiers in 2025. The Cougars and Lightning have two regular-season conference games remaining, while the Purple Knights enter today with four to play.
The NCAA will announce the 64-team field for the 2026 Division II Softball Championship on Monday, May 11, at 10 a.m. on ncaa.com. The East Region will receive automatic qualifiers from the CACC, East Coast Conference and Northeast 10 Conference and five at-large berths.
NCAA DIVISION II EAST REGION SOFTBALL RANKING
April 22, 2026 – Listed Alphabetically
Adelphi University
University of Bridgeport
Caldwell University
Franklin Pierce University
Goldey-Beacom College
Mercy University
Southern Connecticut State University
Southern New Hampshire University
St. Thomas Aquinas College
Founded in 1961, the Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference has been affiliated with NCAA Division II for 20 years. Conference institutions compete for championships in 17 sports – seven for men, nine for women, and one co-ed. The CACC contains 11 full members in Connecticut, Delaware, New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania. Membership includes 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.