NEW HAVEN, Conn. (May 1, 2026) – Caldwell University is the top-ranked softball team in the NCAA Division II East Region, the NCAA D-II Softball Committee announced on Wednesday. Fellow Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference members University of Bridgeport and Goldey-Beacom College are also among the nine teams listed in the East Region ranking.
Bridgeport is ranked sixth in the region, while Goldey-Beacom is the East’s eighth-ranked team. The rankings for all eight NCAA Division II regions can be viewed at https://www.ncaa.com/rankings/softball/d2/regional-rankings.
Caldwell (25-17) is the No. 1 seed in the upcoming CACC Championship tournament, which starts on Saturday. Bridgeport (28-18) has drawn the No. 3 seed for that event and Goldey-Beacom (20-18) the No. 6 seed. All three teams will participate in opening-round best-of-three series this weekend.
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 29, 2026
1. Caldwell University
2. St. Thomas Aquinas College
3. Franklin Pierce University
4. Adelphi University
5. Southern New Hampshire University
6. University of Bridgeport
7. Mercy University
8. Goldey-Beacom College
9. D’Youville University
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.