Central second in regional softball rankings

Central College

PELLA—Central College is ranked No. 2 in the second NCAA Division III Midwest Region rankings of the season after previously holding the No. 1 spot. The Dutch dropped two notches to No. 5 in the NFCA national coaches’ poll.

Central is 29-5 overall and 10-2 in the Iowa Conference after suffering a pair of losses, 9-5 and 1-0, to No. 4 Luther College Saturday in Pella. Luther (30-4) is No. 1 in the Midwest Region.

Wednesday’s opponent, Cornell College, is rated No. 8 in the region. The Rams are 23-9 overall and 6-6 in the league, good for fifth place in the conference standings.

Linfield (Ore.) (41-2) remains at No. 1 in the NFCA poll, receiving all eight votes to stay ahead of Emory (Ga.) (38-2-1) and East Texas Baptist (32-6).

The Dutch continue conference play on the road after Wednesday’s matchup, tackling the Univ. of Dubuque Saturday at 2 p.m. in Dubuque.