LOUISVILLE, Ky. - The first in-season edition of the 2026 NFCA/GoRout DII Top 25 Coaches Poll was released Tuesday. Climbing from No. 17 in the preseason poll to No. 5 this week is Cal State East Bay Softball with a 9-1 overall record. 

The Pioneers are playing some amazing softball, including a 5-0 weekend at the D2 West Coast Challenge. The 5-0 record in Lake Elsinore earned them the Tournament Champion crown. With the high ranking and tournament championship were three honors within 48 hours for junior pitcher Marissa Quintero, who was named the Tournament Most Outstanding Pitcher, FloCollege/CCAA Pitcher of the Week and Wilson/NFCA DII Pitcher of the Week. Also with All-Tournament honors from the past weekend from East Bay were Rylee Gomez and Jasmyn Morales. 

No. 5 East Bay returns to action this coming Thursday for the first day of the 2026 Stan State Invitational, taking place from Warrior Softball Field in Turlock. Thursday's game is set for 4:30 p.m. against Dominican (Calif.).