NEW CASTLE, Del. (May 7, 2026) – Caldwell University and the University of Bridgeport advanced to the winners’ bracket final of the 2026 Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference Softball Championship tournament with victories on Thursday during Day 1 of the event’s double-elimination final round. Later Thursday, Felician University won an elimination game and also moved on in the tournament. The event is being hosted by Wilmington University at Asbury Park
On Friday, No. 1 seed Caldwell and No. 3 seed Bridgeport will meet at 11 a.m. with the winner earning a date in Saturday’s championship round. The loser of that game will take on No. 2 seed Felician at 1:30 p.m. for the other spot in Saturday’s final. Tournament information is available at the CACC Championship Central web page at https://caccathletics.org/tournaments/?id=30.
Caldwell opened the action on Thursday with a 5-4 victory over No. 5 seed Wilmington. Bridgeport then earned a 7-4 win over Felician before the Golden Falcons stayed on the field to eliminate the host Wildcats, 2-0.
Saturday’s championship round begins at 11 a.m. Should the team that emerges from the elimination bracket win, a second game would immediately follow. The winner of the 2026 CACC Softball Championship will earn the league’s automatic berth into the NCAA Division II East Region Championship tournament.
Tickets for each day of the 2026 CACC Softball Championship are $10 for adults, and $5 for children, senior citizens (65+) and students with valid identification. Children under three years of age will be admitted free. See the Championship Central link to follow the tournament online, purchase championship apparel, and buy tickets.
No. 1 CALDWELL 5, No. 5 WILMINGTON 4
The Cougars (28-17) were playing as the home team by virtue of being the higher seed, and the game ended on an RBI single by Caldwell’s Emily Kurth in the bottom of the seventh inning. Kendall Mazur was 2 for 3 for the Cougars, as was Hailey Trapani for the Wildcats. The teams combined for seven errors and only two of the nine runs were earned.
No. 3 BRIDGEPORT 7, No. 2 FELICIAN 4
Purple Knights reliever Samantha Ledger escaped a bases-loaded jam in the sixth and her team ahead 5-4. After UB added two runs in the top of the seventh, the Golden Falcons put the tying run at the plate with none out before Bridgeport starter Vise Zarate returned to the circle to record the final three outs. McKenzie Morgan was 2 for 3 with three RBI for UB (31-18). Kimberly Torres homered for Felician, which committed six errors and left 11 runners on base.
No. 2 FELICIAN 2, No. 5 WILMINGTON 0
Kelsey Vitalis pitched a two-hit shutout and Karina De La Vega hit a third-inning two-run home run to lift the Golden Falcons (26-23). Vitalis struck out five Wildcats and walked two. De La Vega and Kailey Alas had two hits each for Felician. Wilmington finishes 22-28.
2026 CACC SOFTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP
First Round (Best-of-three series at sites of higher seeds.)
Saturday, May 2
#1 Caldwell 10-9, #8 Post 2-0
#2 Felician 5-4, #7 Jefferson 3-14
#3 Bridgeport 8-7, #6 Goldey-Becom 0-5
#5 Wilmington 6, #4 Holy Family 2
Sunday, May 3
Wilmington 7, Holy Family 3
Felician 4, Jefferson 2
Double-Elimination Tournament (Host: Wilmington University)
Thursday, May 7 (at Asbury Field, New Castle, Del.)
Game 1: Caldwell 5, Wilmington 4
Game 2: Bridgeport 7, Felician 4
Game 3: Felician 2, Wilmington 0
Friday, May 8 (at Asbury Field, New Castle, Del.)
Game 4: Bridgeport vs. Caldwell, 11 a.m.
Game 5: Felician vs. Game 4 Loser, 1:30 p.m.
Saturday, May 9 (at Asbury Field, New Castle, Del.)
Game 6: Game 4 Winner vs. Game 5 Winner, 11 a.m.
Game 7: Game 6 Winner vs Game 6 Loser, if necessary
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.