LOCK HAVEN, Pa. – Today (Jan. 28), the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) released its 2026 Preseason Coaches' Poll and the Bald Eagles ranked eighth in the East. The Haven is set to open its season on Friday, Feb. 13 in Wilmington, Delaware.
 
 The 2026 season opener for The Haven is set for Friday, Feb. 13 at Wilmington (Del.) with first pitch of game one set for 2 p.m.
 
In the PSAC Preseason Coaches' Poll announced on Wednesday, East Stroudsburg was the overwhelming favorite after receiving six of nine first-place votes. Shippensburg (2) and Shepherd (1) were picked to finish second and third, while Kutztown and West Chester round out the top five. Bloomsburg, Millersville, Lock Haven and Mansfield make up teams six-through-nine, respectively.
 
In the West, Slippery Rock (4) edged out Indiana (Pa.) (3) for the top spot, while Gannon (1) Seton Hill and California (Pa.) round out the top five. Clarion, Pitt-Johnstown and Edinboro round out the rest of the poll.
 
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
 
The Road Ahead
The Bald Eagles open the new campaign Feb. 13-15 with five games in Wilmington, Delaware, including a season-opening doubleheader at Wilmington (Del.) on Friday, Feb. 13. Across the three-day stay, Lock Haven will face Wilmington (Del.), Goldey-Beacom and Ursuline before shifting to a nonconference doubleheader at Holy Family in Philadelphia on Tuesday, Feb. 24.
 
From there, Lock Haven heads south March 6-8 for a road stretch at Tusculum, UVA Wise and Emory & Henry, playing three straight doubleheaders in Tennessee and Virginia as its final tune-ups before conference play. The Bald Eagles end its road trip with a doubleheader at Slippery Rock.
 
Lock Haven's 2026 home opener is set for Sunday, March 15, when the Bald Eagles welcome Jefferson to Lawrence Field for a non-conference doubleheader. The first home PSAC action follows on March 24 against Mansfield, kicking off a key eight-game conference homestand that features Shepherd, Kutztown and East Stroudsburg.
 
The Kutztown twinbill on Saturday, March 28 will serve as Lock Haven's "Knock MS Out of the Park" game, the first of three special-event dates on the 2026 home schedule. On Saturday, April 11, the Bald Eagles will host West Chester in a doubleheader designated as the "Morgan's Message Game," while Military & Veterans Appreciation Day is slated for Friday, April 24, when The Haven hosts Bloomsburg in another league twinbill.
 
Lock Haven will close the regular season at home on Friday, May 1, hosting Shippensburg in a Senior Day doubleheader at Lawrence Field.
 
For the complete 2026 Lock Haven softball schedule, including dates, times and location updates, visit LockHavenAthletics.com.
 
A Quick Look at the 2026 Bald Eagles
Lock Haven closed the 2025 regular season at 15-27 overall and 9-23 in PSAC play, including a 6-10 mark at home and 8-15 record on the road.
 
Offensive Leaders
The Haven will look to build around Blaire Balestrini after her breakout freshman campaign in 2025.
 
Balestrini was named the PSAC East Freshman of the Year, First Team Atlantic Region Shortstop and was named a finalist for the 2025 NCAA DII National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) Freshman of the Year.
 
Balestrini emerged as one of the PSAC's most dangerous hitters and headlines Lock Haven's lineup after leading the Bald Eagles in nearly every major offensive category. The junior posted a team-best .399 average with 55 hits, including seven doubles, four triples and 11 home runs, while driving in 33 runs and scoring 30 times in 42 starts. Her 103 total bases and .746 slugging percentage paced Lock Haven and powered an offense that finished the season with 32 homers and 147 RBIs as a team.

Madison Hardy added another power threat with six home runs and 18 RBIs, while starting all 42 games. Consistent producers such as Abby Robertson (.276, 35 hits, 12 RBIs), Maci Brodzina (.260, 32 hits, 9 RBIs) and Madison Melius (.235, 27 hits, 13 RBIs, 4 stolen bases) rounded out a balanced order that saw eight different Bald Eagles drive in at least nine runs.

Pitching Staff
In the circle, sophomore right-hander Talia Ross anchored the staff and finished as Lock Haven's wins leader, going 8-11 with a 4.68 ERA over a team-high 104.2 innings. Ross recorded 87 strikeouts against 35 walks, held opponents to a .301 average and logged 10 complete games and two shutouts.
 
Freshman right-hander Keri Wesneski provided a strong secondary option, going 4–9 with a 4.53 ERA in 23 appearances (10 starts), covering 85.0 innings with 38 walks and 10 strikeouts while limiting opponents to a .317 average.

Keiva Middleton and Faith Persing are also set to return from injury, after strong seasons in 2024.
 
Lock Haven Softball set to Celebrate 50 Years; Inaugural Golf Tournament scheduled for May 29
The 2026 softball season with mark the 50^th season for Lock Haven and the Bald Eagles are set to honor the rich history of the program on Friday, May 29, 2026 with the program's inaugural golf tournament which will be followed by a 50-Year Celebration Dinner.
 
The golf tournament is set for a 2 p.m. shotgun start on May 29 at Clinton Country Club.
 
The 50-Year Celebration Dinner will follow the golf tournament at 6:30 p.m.
 
The cost for golf is $125 per person and includes golf, cart, gift, hot dogs at the turn, drinks, and the dinner.
 
Registration for the dinner only is $35 per person.
 
For more information on the events including sponsorship packages, and to register, click here.