Central 21st in final softball rankings
Central Dutch Athletics
PELLA—Central College’s late-season surge produced a No. 21 ranking in the final season National Fastpitch Coaches Association top 25 softball poll.
The American Rivers Conference champion Dutch (27-10) were rated No. 22 in the preseason and rose to has high as No. 15 March 13 before dropping out of the rankings. Central re-emerged at No. 22 May 1 after coming from three games back in the league standings for the title in the final two weeks, then jumped to No. 15 May 8 after also capturing the conference tournament crown.
Division III champion Texas Lutheran University (40-8) is No. 1 followed by runner-up Emory University (Ga.) (39-14). Central was the only conference team in the top 25. Coe College was among those also receiving votes.
The Dutch tied for 21st in the final 2018 poll.
Central finished third in the NCAA Division III Pella, Iowa Regional May 10-12. It was a record 30th NCAA tournament appearance for the Dutch. Five Central players received all-Midwest Region honors. NFCA Hall of Famer George Wares, the winningest coach in Division III history, raised his record to 1,125-384-3 (.745).
The Dutch will return starters at six positions in 2020.
Central in stat rankings—Central ranked seventh in Division III in double plays, turning 20, an average of 0.54 per game, according to NCAA statistics. The Dutch were
13th in stolen bases per game, swiping 91, an average of 2.46.
Pitcher Mariah Fritz (senior, Tama, East Marshall HS) was 17th in victories with a 20-9 mark.
NFCA Division III Top 25 Poll – June 3, 2019
