Despite what all the snow on the ground would imply, it’s softball season for Central College, and the Dutch will open the 2010 season on Friday in a locale that shouldn’t include any of the cold, white stuff. The defending Iowa Conference champions start the year off with some hearty challenges, though, as the Dutch will take on No. 23 Hardin-Simmons (Texas) and Howard Payne (Texas) to start a four-game weekend series in the Lone Star State. Central is ranked No. 24 in the NFCA Division III softball preseason poll.