LATHAM, N.Y.- The Keystone College softball team was tabbed tenth in the United East Softball Preseason Poll, announced by the conference office Wednesday morning.

Penn State Berks was picked to finish first with five first-place votes, while defending champion Penn State Brandywine came in second with six first-place votes. Penn State Harrisburg was selected third, followed by Penn College in fourth with two first-place votes. Wilson rounds out the top five.

Penn State Abington, Cedar Crest, Lancaster Bible, and Notre Dame of Maryland are slated sixth through ninth, respectively. Keystone, Gallaudet, Cairn, and Valley Forge conclude the preseason rankings.

The championship participants shall consist of the ten (10) highest seeds based on regular season records.  Each First Round game will be an elimination contest with the winner advancing.  A best-of-3 series will then take place with the higher seed hosting on each matchup.  

The four victors of the best-of-3 round will advance to a four-team double elimination tournament that will begin on Friday, May 8 to determine the United East Champion.

The team that wins the tournament will receive an automatic bid to the NCAA Division III Softball Championship.

Mariah Ford enters her fourth season as head coach of the Giants and welcomes a roster featuring nine newcomers and two returning players. Among the returners is Isabella Benitez (East Windsor, N.J./Hightstown) who earned Second Team All–United East honors a year ago.

Keystone kicks off the 2026 season on Sunday, Mar. 1 at Lycoming College.

Click HERE for the full schedule.

United East Preseason Poll

1.	Penn State Berks (5)
2.	Penn State Brandywine (6)
3.	Penn State Harrisburg
4.	Penn College (2)
5.	Wilson College
6.	Penn State Abington
7.	Cedar Crest College
8.	Lancaster Bible College
9.	Notre Dame of Maryland University
10.	Keystone College
T11.	Gallaudet University
T11.	Cairn University
13.	University of Valley Forge

*(#) denotes first place votes