INDIANAPOLIS -- Caldwell University softball, which has won 24 of its last 28 contests and has a league-best 15-3 mark in Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference (CACC) play, has earned the No. 1 spot in the first NCAA East Region rankings, released today. 

The Cougars are 25-15 overall and have compiled a 25-6 mark in-region to date.

Caldwell is paced offensively by sophomore 2B Maddie Matkosky (.325/.452/.552, 10 doubles, 22 runs), freshman RF Kendall Mazur (.354/.433/.476, 10 doubles, 21 RBI, 14/17 SB), Emerson Jarrard (Carlsbad, Calif.) (.297/.411/.495, 3 HR, 24 RBI), sophomore catcher Emily Kurth (Toms River, N.J.) (.327/.416/.465, 8 2B, 32 RBI) and junior CF Kenzie Nazionale (Ontario, Calif.) (.342/.397/.430, 33 runs, 4 3B, 25/26 SB).

The pitching staff is anchored by junior righthander Katie O'Connor (Charlottesville, Va.) (12-6, 3.70 ERA) and sophomore righty Haleigh Fisher (10-3, 2.54).

Caldwell ranked No. 10 in the final East Region poll in 2025, with a  24-24 overall record (24-16 in region).

The Cougars are the CACC Regular Season champion and No. 1 seed in the CACC Tournament, May 2-3 and 7-9.

Regional rankings continue May 5, with the top eight teams advancing to the NCAA East Regional, announced on the Selection Show the following weekend.

NCAA East Region Rankings
April 28, 2026

1. Caldwell
2. STAC
3. Franklin Pierce
4. Adelphi
5. So. New Hampshire
6. Bridgeport
7. Mercy
8. Goldey-Beacom
9. D'Youville