Alysha Overturf

Dutch climb one spot in rankings

PELLA—Central College inched up another spot to No. 5 in the American Fastpitch Coaches Association’s Division III softball rankings. The Dutch, 24-4 heading into Wednesday’s Iowa Conference doubleheader with Buena Vista Univ., were No. 6 a week ago after not being listed in the preseason rankings. Iowa Conference leader Luther College, 24-2, vaulted from No. 13 to No. 4.  Central and Luther split a doubleheader at Pella April 1.

Linfield College (Ore.), 29-2, is the new leader, followed by East Texas Baptist (26-4) and Louisiana College (28-6). Conference rival Wartburg College (29-3) slipped from No. 15 into a tie at No. 17.