LOCK HAVEN, Pa. (Jan. 28) – The California (PA) softball team was selected to finish fifth in the preseason Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) West poll, as announced by the league office on Wednesday afternoon.

The Vulcans placed fifth in the divisional standings last spring while making a fifth-straight appearance in the PSAC Tournament. Cal finished with an 18-33 overall record behind a 14-14 mark in PSAC West action.

Slippery Rock was tabbed the preseason favorite in the PSAC West with four first-place votes after placing first in the divisional standings for the first time in program history in 2025. IUP was slotted second with three first-place votes, while Gannon received the remaining first-place vote and was picked third in the preseason poll. Seton Hill rounded out the top half of the preseason poll in fourth place.

In the PSAC East, East Stroudsburg garnered six first-place votes to earn the top position. The Warrior captured the program's first PSAC Championship since 1980 last year and made their fourth appearance in the NCAA Tournament in the last five seasons. Shippensburg received two first-place votes and ranked second in the poll after advancing to the NCAA National Championships for the first time in over two decades. Shepherd was slotted third behind the remaining first-place vote following an appearance in the NCAA Tournament, while Kutztown ranked fourth in the poll after making a fifth-consecutive appearance in the NCAA Tournament.

Under first-year head coach Kristin Erb, the Vulcans are scheduled to open the campaign with a doubleheader at Fairmont State on Feb. 27.