LOCK HAVEN, Pa. – The Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) announced Wednesday afternoon that the East Stroudsburg University softball team was picked to win the PSAC East in the PSAC Preseason Coaches' Poll. On January 20, the Warriors were ranked No.15 in the National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) DII Top-25 Coaches Preseason Poll. 

ESU earned six of the possible nine first-place votes. 

Shippensburg was selected to finish second, with two first-place votes, while Shepherd earned third with one first-place vote. Kutztown (4), West Chester (5), Bloomsburg (6), Millersville (7), Lock Haven (8), and Mansfield (9) round out the poll. 

In the PSAC West, Slippery Rock was picked first with four first-place votes. IUP was selected second with three first-place votes, while Gannon rounded out the top three with one first-place vote. Seton Hill (4), California (Pa.) (5), Clarion (6), Pitt-Johnstown (7), and Edinboro (8) round out the poll. 

Last season, ESU completed another historic season that included 48 wins and the program's second PSAC Championship. ESU made it back to the NCAA Tournament for the third straight season and fourth time in five years under head coach Jaime Wohlbach.    

The Warriors open the 2026 season in Florida, taking on Bentley (Feb. 6), Barry (Feb. 6–7), and Saginaw Valley State (Feb. 7), before closing the trip with a doubleheader at Nova Southeastern on Feb. 8. 

Following the Florida trip, ESU will travel to Wilmington, Del., to face the Wildcats on Feb. 18 before returning to Creekview Park for a 10-game homestand. The Warriors will host Southern New Hampshire on Feb. 20, Assumption on Feb. 21, Wilmington (Del.) on Feb. 25, Caldwell on March 1, and Adelphi on March 14.  

Overall, ESU is scheduled to play 26 regular-season home games at Creekview Park. 

For the full schedule, visit: esuwarriors.com/sports/softball/schedule. 
 

2026 PSAC Softball Preseason Polls (# of first-place votes in parentheses) 

Eastern Division 

1. East Stroudsburg (6) 
2. Shippensburg (2) 
3. Shepherd (1) 
4. Kutztown 
5. West Chester 
6. Bloomsburg 
7. Millersville 
8. Lock Haven 
9. Mansfield 

Western Division 

1. Slippery Rock (4) 
2. IUP (3) 
3. Gannon (1) 
4. Seton Hill 
5. California 
6. Clarion 
7. Pitt-Johnstown 
8. Edinboro