Central jumps in softball rankings
Central College
PELLA—Central College jumped four spots to a season-best No. 5 in the NFCA Division III softball rankings.
The Dutch swept Buena Vista Tuesday, 6-1 and 4-1, to extend their winning streak to 20 games. They are 20-2 overall and 4-0 in Iowa Conference play.
League rival Coe (20-5) leaped to No. 9 after an impressive road sweep Saturday of Luther (18-4), formerly rated No. 4. The Norse dropped to No. 11.
Linfield (Ore.) is again a unanimous choice at No. 1.
Central travels to Eau Claire, Wis. this weekend, meeting St. Scholastica (Minn.) Friday and No. 25-ranked Wis.-Eau Claire Saturday in a pair of non-conference doubleheaders.
NCAA stat rankings—Central is also prominent in the latest NCAA Division III statistical rankings. Dutch freshman pitcher Brie Haycraft (Eldridge, North Scott HS) is No. 5 in saves (3) while first baseman Katie Tenboer (senior, Morrison, Ill.) is 14th in RBIs (1.45 per game, 29 overall) and 23rd in slugging percentage (.863).
In national team statistics, Central is No. 6 in winning percentage (.909), 13th in stolen bases per game (3.05, 66 overall) and 15th in batting average (.364).
