CALDWELL, N.J. -- Caldwell University softball, which earned the No. 1 seed with a 15-3 league mark, will host No. 8 Post University in the first round of the 2026 Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference (CACC) Softball Championships. Saturday's doubleheader at Caldwell Athletic Field begins at 1:30 p.m., while Sunday's single game, if necessary, starts at noon.

The Cougars (25-17 overall) won their first regular season CACC title since 2018. The top hitters on the season are sophomore INF Maddie Matkosky (Horseheads, NY.) (.326/.445/.551, 23 R, 11 2B), freshman 1B Emerson Jarrard (Carlsbad, Calif.) (.306/.412/.509, 3 HR, 26 RBI), freshman OF Kendall Mazur (Millville,  N.J.) (.353/.442/.471, 15/19 SB), sophomore catcher Emily Kurth (Toms River, N.J.) (.324/.409/.454, 32 RBI), junior CF Kenzie Nazionale (Ontario, Calif.) (.342/.397/.430, 33 R, 25/27 SB) and soph 3B Lindsay Oller (So. Plainfield, N.J.) (.306/.433/.347, 17 RBI).

Junior righthander Katie O'Connor (Charlottesville, Va.) (12-6, 3.65), sophomore righty Haleigh Fisher (Smyna, N.Y.) (10-3, 2.54), sophomore RHP CC Lanzi (Cumberland, R.I.) (1-3, 6.09) and graduate RHP Jayden Hill (Geneva, N.Y.) (2-5, 5.31) have seen time in the circle.

Head Coach Lindsay Mayer is in her third year at the helm and has a 74-63 record, including 39-23 in CACC play during her tenure.

Caldwell swept Post, 5-4, and 8-0, in a doubleheader at Caldwell Athletic Field during the regular season.

CHAMPIONSHIP CENTRAL

2026 CACC SOFTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP INFORMATION
Seeding
1. Caldwell
2. Felician
3. Bridgeport
4. Holy Family
5. Wilmington
6. Goldey-Beacom
7. Jefferson
8. Post

Schedule
Best of 3 First Round Series (Saturday, May 2, at Sites of Highest Seeds)
#8 Post at #1 Caldwell (DH, 1:30 & 3:30 p.m.)
#5 Wilmington at #4 Holy Family (Single Game, 4 p.m.)
#7 Jefferson at #2 Felician (DH)
#6 Goldey-Beacom at #3 Bridgeport (DH, 12 & 2 p.m.)

Best of 3 First Round Series (Sunday, May 3, at Sites of Highest Seeds)
#8 Post at #1 Caldwell (If Necessary Gm, 12 p.m.)
#5 Wilmington at #4 Holy Family (DH, 12 & 2 p.m.)
#7 Jefferson at #2 Felician (If Necessary Gm)
#6 Goldey-Beacom at #3 Bridgeport (If Necessary Gm, 12 p.m.)

Day 1 of Double-Elimination Tournament (Thursday, May 7, at Wilmington University)
**Game 1 or 2: Caldwell/Post Winner vs. HFU/WilmU Winner (11 a.m. or 1:30 p.m.)
**Game 1 or 2: FelU/Jeff Winner vs. UB/GBC Winner (11 a.m. or 1:30 p.m.)
Game 3: Game 1 Loser vs. Game 2 Loser (4 p.m., Elimination Game)
** -- Tournament's highest remaining seed will play in the day's first game at 11 a.m.; the remaining two seeds will play in the day's second game at 1:30 p.m.

Day 2 of Double-Elimination Tournament (Friday, May 8, at Wilmington University)
Game 4: Game 1 Winner vs. Game 2 Winner (11 a.m.)
Game 5: Game 3 Winner vs. Game 4 Loser (1:30 p.m., Elimination Game)

Day 3 of Double-Elimination Tournament (Saturday, May 9, at Wilmington University)
Game 6: Game 4 Winner vs. Game 5 Winner (11 a.m., Championship Final)
Game 7: "If Necessary" Game (1:30 p.m.)