Katie Tenboer April 1, 2009

Dutch move to No. 14 in national rankings

PELLA—Central College has inched up a spot to 14th in the National Fastpitch Coaches Association Division III softball rankings. Central (17-1 overall, 2-0 Iowa Conference), 15th a week ago, is three spots ahead of league rival Luther College (13-1 overall, 0-0 conference). The two teams square off at 3 p.m. today in a conference doubleheader. Luther is a co-favorite to win the league crown while Central is picked to place fourth. Defending conference champ Wartburg College (20-2 overall, 1-1 conference) is 25th.  

Texas-Tyler (21-1) is a unanimous pick for No. 1 with regional rival Louisiana College next at 20-4 and Wis.-Eau Claire No. 3 at 9-3. Central and Wis.-Eau Claire split a pair of games at the Tucson Invitational Games in March.

Washington-St. Louis (Mo.) Univ., which is slated to play a doubleheader with Central Friday at Pella, is 12-4 and tied for No. 4 in the rankings.