Central 7th in season-ending softball rankings

Central College

PELLA — The Central College softball team closed the 2011 season at No. 7 in the National Fastpitch Coaches Association rankings.

The Dutch, who posted a 39-9 record, claimed a share of their 11th Iowa Conference title and earned a record 23rd NCAA Division III tournament berth. Central finished second behind eventual national champion Linfield (Ore.) in a rugged eight-team NCAA regional tourney at Pella May 12-16.

Linfield (51-3) tops the poll followed by Texas-Tyler (40-13) and Christopher Newport (Va.) (38-12). Conference rival Luther (41-6) is No. 6 and Coe is No. 12 (38-11).

Central was the only team to crack the top eight without reaching the eight-team NCAA finals staged May 20-24 in Salem, Va.

The Dutch will return six starters for 2012 under coach George Wares, who set the Division III career victories mark May 15. He’s compiled a 909-302-3 (.750) mark over 27 seasons.