Central climbs in softball rankings

Central Dutch Athletics

PELLA—Despite taking a week off after a 16-game spring break trip to Arizona, the Central College softball team inched up to a tie for No. 16 in the NFCA Division III Top 25 rankings.

Tied for 17th a week ago, the Dutch (12-4) shared 16th with Moravian (Pa.) (11-3). Defending champion Virginia Wesleyan (18-0) is a unanimous choice for No. 1 ahead of Texas Lutheran and Texas-Tyler while Iowa Conference rival Luther College (8-1) remains at No. 9. Buena Vista University is among those schools receiving votes.

Central returns to action with its home opener next Wednesday against Grinnell College at 2 p.m. at the A.N. Kuyper Athletics Complex field.