NEWPORT NEWS, Va. - Christopher Newport University and Salisbury University share the top spot in the 2026 Coast-To-Coast Athletic Conference (C2C) Softball Preseason Poll. The poll was released on Thursday following a survey of the C2C head coaches. The Captains and Sea Gulls each received two first-place votes for eight total points.  Mary Washington was third and C2C newcomer JWU Charlotte fourth to complete the poll.

The CNU softball squad is coming off a 37-6 season last spring that saw them advance to the NCAA Tournament for the 18th consecutive season. Keith Parr is heading into his 23rd year leading the captains, and his lineup will likely include three returning starters (All-American and C2C first team centerfielder Candace Slaw, C2C Rookie of the Year second baseman Cora Thomas, and C2C first team catcher Natalie Quinlan). CNU will also look to a pair of returners in the pitching circle, Hailey Butler and Haylee Callahan, to lead the way in 2026. 

Christopher Newport is scheduled to open the 2026 campaign on Saturday, February 14th, with a doubleheader at Methodist University in Fayetteville, N.C. CNU's home opener is set for Saturday, February 28th, vs. Moravian University at Captains Park, with the first game of two scheduled for a 12 noon first pitch.

The upcoming season will conclude with the single-elimination C2C Softball Championship taking place May 8 at the top seed. Teams will be seeded based on regular season conference records.