LANTHAM, N.Y. - Penn State Berks and Cedar Crest College were victorious in their United East First Round matchups, setting the field for the next round of the 2026 United East Championship Tournament.

#9 Cedar Crest College def. #8 Notre Dame of Maryland University, 2-1 - Box Score
Notre Dame of Maryland struck first in their United East First Round game against Cedar Crest College, scoring in the third inning. The Gators had runners on the corners, and when Julianna Leatherwood attempted to swipe second base, a throw down allowed Scarlett Miller to score.

The Falcons answered back in the top of the sixth inning. Natalie Hasert tripled to left field, driving in a run to level the score at one. Madison Nadasi then singled into center field, scoring Hasert to put Cedar Crest in front. Falcons starting pitcher Erin Gray shut down the Gators in the final two innings, holding them to one baserunner and securing the victory.

Cedar Crest was led by Hasert and Nadasi, who collected the team’s two RBIs. In the circle, Gray picked up her 12th win of the season, throwing 7.0 innings and allowing one run on eight hits.

#7 Penn State Berks def. #10 Cairn University, 1-0 - Box Score

Notre Dame of Maryland struck first in their United East First Round game against Cedar Crest College, scoring in the third inning. The Gators had runners on the corners, and when Julianna Leatherwood attempted to swipe second base, a throw down allowed Scarlett Miller to score.

The Falcons answered back in the top of the sixth inning. Natalie Hasert tripled to left field, driving in a run to level the score at one. Madison Nadasi then singled into center field, scoring Hasert to put Cedar Crest in front. Falcons starting pitcher Erin Gray shut down the Gators in the final two innings, holding them to one baserunner and securing the victory.

Cedar Crest was led by Hasert and Nadasi, who collected the team’s two RBIs. In the circle, Gray picked up her 12th win of the season, throwing 7.0 innings and allowing one run on eight hits.

#7 Penn State Berks def. #10 Cairn University, 1-0 – Box Score
The Nittany Lions and Highlanders were locked in a defensive struggle in their United East First Round matchup, with neither side able to generate much offense. Berks finally broke through in the bottom of the fourth inning. With runners on the corners, Emma Infantino lifted a sacrifice fly to center field, putting the Nittany Lions ahead 1-0.

One run was enough for starting pitcher Mallory Johnson, who held the Highlanders to three baserunners over the final three innings, earning the first shutout victory of her career. In addition to her outstanding performance in the circle, Johnson led the team with two hits.

Cedar Crest and Penn State Berks move on to this weekend’s best-of-three series. Defending champion and top overall seed Penn State Brandywine will host Cedar Crest College, while Penn State Berks will travel to face #2 seed Wilson College.

In other best-of-three series, #3 Penn College hosts #6 Penn State Abington, and #4 Lancaster Bible College will welcome #5 Penn State Harrisburg. All series begin with a doubleheader on Friday afternoon. Single games, if necessary, will take place on Saturday.

Start times for Friday’s games have yet to be determined. For more information, box scores, highlights, and recaps following each round, visit the 2026 United East Softball Championship page by CLICKING HERE.

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