Central College is second in the Midwest Region rankings produced by the NCAA Division III Softball Championship Committee. They’re the first public rankings of the season and carry considerably more clout than the NFCA Division III national coaches’ poll, where Central is sixth overall, as the championship committee determines the 61-team NCAA tournament field.

The Dutch are 25-5 overall and 17-4 against in-region opponents, which is the committee’s first ranking criteria. Luther College, rated No. 4 nationally, is the Midwest Region leader. Simpson College is No. 7 and comes to Pella for a key Iowa Conference doubleheader Saturday.