LATHAM, N.Y. - The 2026 United East Softball Preseason Poll has been released with 13 teams included in the rankings. Find the results below:
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1.
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Penn State Berks (5)
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2.
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Penn State Brandywine (6)
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3.
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Penn State Harrisburg
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4.
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Penn College (2)
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5.
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Wilson College
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6.
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Penn State Abington
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7.
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Cedar Crest College
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8.
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Lancaster Bible College |
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9.
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Notre Dame of Maryland University
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10.
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Keystone College
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T11.
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Gallaudet University
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T11.
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Cairn University
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13.
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University of Valley Forge
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*(#) denotes first place votes
Penn State Berks edged out its Penn State counterparts for the top spot in the poll, earning five first place votes. The Nittany Lions finished on top of the standings in the 2024 regular season and are in search of their first title since they won back-to-back championships in 2022 and 2023. Paige Brightwell is their ace in the circle looking to add to her 22 wins across her first two seasons.
Last year’s Championship victors, Penn State Brandywine, garnered the most first place votes as they nabbed six. After making a splash in their first year as United East members, returning Rookie of the Year, Emma McElroy, and tournament MVP, Ava Craddock, are poised to help defend the title.
Penn State Harrisburg continues to find themselves amongst the top teams in the conference but will be without stud Madelyn Lehigh who graduated but return two All-Region members in Madison Minney and Mackenzie Fisher. Penn College rounds out the top four, collecting a pair of top place votes. Mackenzie Tice will be the Wildcat’s ace heading into the 2026 season.
The championship participants shall consist of the ten (10) highest seeds based on regular season records. Each First Round game will be an elimination contest with the winner advancing. A best-of-3 series will then take place with the higher seed hosting on each matchup.
The four victors of the best-of-3 round will advance to a four-team double elimination tournament that will begin on Friday, May 8 to determine the United East Champion.
The team that wins the tournament will receive an automatic bid to the NCAA Division III Baseball Championship.
Check out the 2026 Softball Schedule here: 2026 SOFTBALL SCHEDULE
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The United East boasts 14 NCAA Division III full member institutions which include: Cairn University, Cedar Crest College, Gallaudet University, Keystone College, Lancaster Bible College, Notre Dame of Maryland University, Penn College, Penn State Abington, Penn State Berks, Penn State Brandywine, Penn State Harrisburg, St. Mary's College of Maryland, University of Valley Forge, and Wilson College. For more information, please visit gounitedeast.com.