NEW HAVEN, Conn. (May 14, 2026) – Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference champion University of Bridgeport was defeated by host Adelphi University, 3-0, in first-round play at the 2026 NCAA Division II East 2 Regional Softball Championship on Thursday afternoon at Janet L. Ficke Field in Garden City, N.Y. CACC at-large representative Caldwell University saw its first-round contest against Assumption University postponed due to rain in the East 1 Regional in Rindge, N.H.

Bridgeport, the East Region’s No. 7 seed, will play in an elimination game on Friday at 12:30 p.m. in Garden City against No. 6 seed Southern New Hampshire University. SNHU was defeated by No. 3 seed St. Thomas Aquinas College, 7-6, later on Thursday. No. 4 seed Caldwell and No. 5 seed Assumption will try again on Friday at 4:30 p.m. in Rindge.

The Purple Knights (33-19) left 10 runners on base without scoring against No. 2 seed Adelphi (36-21), an at-large selection from the Northeast 10 Conference. Panther pitcher Jenna Plue worked out of a bases loaded, none-out jam in the first inning on her way to the shutout. Mya Jones had a double among Bridgeport’s five hits.

Both East Regional Championships are four-team, double-elimination events. The winners will meet in a best-of-three series next weekend for the regional title and the right to advance to nationals.

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.