LOUISVILLE, Ky./ALISO VIEJO, Calif. - The NFCA and CCAA released their preseason polls for softball this week and Cal State East Bay received high recognition in each. 

In the 2026 NFCA/GoRout Division II Top 25 Coaches Poll, the Pioneers were ranked No. 17. 

The CCAA's 2026 Preseason Coaches Poll had the Pioneers picked to finish first with five first place votes, with the expectation to repeat the same regular season place from 2025. The Pioneers will be led by 2025 CCAA Coach of the Year Claire Sua-Amundson. 

Also from the CCAA, the 2026 Watchlist included two Pioneers - junior pitcher Marissa Quintero (2025 CCAA Pitcher of the Year, All-CCAA First Team) and sophomore utility Marissa Farias (2025 All-CCAA First Team).

The 2025 season was phenomenal for Cal State East Bay, with a 40-15 record, winning the CCAA regular season championship and earning the No. 1 seed in the NCAA Division II West Regionals to host the NCAA Division II West Regional Hayward Pod.