Central College closed in 23rd in the season’s final NFCA Division III Top 25 softball coaches poll.

Trine University (Ind.) claimed the NCAA Division III title last week in Marshall, Texas and is ranked first with a 46-6 mark ahead of runner-up Salisbury University (Md.) (49-6). American Rivers Conference foe Coe College (39-11) is fourth and Luther College (33-10) is among schools also receiving votes.

Central posted a 33-11 mark after taking second in the four-team NCAA Pella, Iowa Regional May 18-20. It was a Division III record 31st playoff appearance for the Dutch. NFCA Hall of Fame coach George Wares improved his career coaching mark to a Division III record 1232-437-3 (.737). The team is expected to return the majority of its starting lineup for the 2024 campaign.

Central is prominent in the NCAA’s final Division III statistical rankings as well. Pitcher Morgan Schaben was fifth in saves (5) and seventh in pitching appearances (35). Second baseman Haley Bach ranked 14th in walks per game (0.73), 22nd in runs per game (1.2) and 24th in on-base percentage (.544). Shortstop Carson Fisk ranked 27th in sacrifice bunts per game (0.30), third baseman Franie Burnett was 35th in RBIs (45) and pitcher Sydni Huisman was 35th in wins (17).

In the team rankings, Central was 15th in walks (139), 20th in stolen bases (111), 25th in sacrifice bunts (42) and 36th in runs scored (257).