WINTHROP, Mass. – Simmons and Albertus Magnus secured the top seeds in their respective divisions for the upcoming GNAC Softball Championship after finishing first in the North and South, respectively. Simmons went 14-4 in conference play (20-18 overall), while Albertus Magnus also finished 14-4 in the GNAC (21-16 overall), earning the right to host the tournament's two four-team, double-elimination pods.
Saint Joseph's (18-20, 11-7 GNAC) claimed the No. 2 seed in the North and enters postseason play with a balanced lineup led by senior Chantelle Bouchard, who is batting .391 with 43 hits, 12 doubles, four home runs, 36 RBI, 33 runs scored, and a team-best .645 slugging percentage. Junior Kryslin Stearns is also hitting .391 with 36 hits, while senior Sadie Tirrell is batting .358 with 44 hits, 26 RBI, and 31 runs scored. Sophomore Makayla Quintal has added 35 hits, 22 RBI, and three home runs. In the circle, senior Miranda Northrup has gone 11-7 with a 4.24 ERA and 10 complete games over 105.2 innings, while freshman Olivia Thomas and sophomore Sierra Laukka have provided valuable depth.
In North Division play, top-seeded Simmons will face No. 4 Emmanuel, while No. 2 Saint Joseph's will meet No. 3 Rivier. In the South, No. 1 Albertus Magnus draws No. 4 Lasell, while No. 2 University of Saint Joseph (Conn.) will take on No. 3 Regis.
Pod play begins Wednesday, April 29, at the top two seeds in each division. The second day of pod play is set for Saturday, May 2, with pod finals scheduled for Sunday, May 3. The two pod winners will then meet in a best-of-three GNAC Championship Series beginning Friday, May 8, with games two and, if necessary, three slated for Saturday, May 9. The tournament champion will earn the GNAC's automatic bid to the NCAA Division III Softball Championship.
2026 GNAC Softball Tournament Schedule
Pod A
GNAC Pod Play – Day 1
Wednesday, April 29 – hosted at higher seeds
Game 1A: #1N Simmons v. #4N Emmanuel, 5:00 pm
Game 2A: #2S University of Saint Joseph (Conn.) v. #3S Regis, 3:30 pm
Pod Play - Day 2
Saturday, May 2 – hosted at #1N Simmons
Game 3A: W Game 1A v W Game 2A, 11:00 am
Game 4A: L Game 1A v L Game 2A (elimination game), 2:00 pm
Game 5A: L Game 3A v W Game 4A (elimination game), 5:00 pm
Pod Finals
Sunday, May 3 – hosted at #1N Simmons
Game 6A: W Game 3A v W Game 5A, 12:00 pm
Game 7A: Repeat of game 6A (if necessary), 30 minutes after conclusion of game 6A
Pod B
GNAC Pod Play – Day 1
Wednesday, April 29 – hosted at higher seeds
Game 1: #1S Albertus Magnus v. #4S Lasell, 1:00 pm
Game 2: #2N Saint Joseph's (Maine) v. #3N Rivier, 2:00 pm
GNAC Pod Play – Day 2
Saturday, May 2 – hosted at #1S Albertus Magnus
Game 3: W Game 1 v W Game 2, 10:00 am
Game 4: L Game 1 v L Game 2 (elimination game), 1:00 pm
Game 5: L Game 3 v W Game 4 (elimination game), 4:00 pm
Pod Finals
Sunday, May 3 – hosted at #1S Albertus Magnus
Game 6: W Game 3 v W Game 5, 10:00 am
Game 7: If necessary, repeat of game 6 if W Game 5 wins Game 6 (elimination game), 1:00 pm
Championship Series
Friday, May 8 (Location dependent on even or odd year and highest seed remaining)
Game 8: Pod A winner v Pod B winner, tbd
Saturday, May 9 (same location)
Game 9: Pod A winner v Pod B winner (elimination game if W Game 8 wins), tbd
Game 10 (If each team has a win): Pod A winner v Pod B winner (elimination game), tbd
