Ninth-ranked Central College opens the 2017 NCAA Softball Championship tournament this afternoon against a familiar foe and fellow perennial power, 23rd-ranked St. Thomas.

It’s part of a four-team regional that also features #25 Coe and Washington University of St Louis, who meet in the tournament opener at 1:00 this afternoon at the Kuyper Athletic Complex Softball Field in Pella.

The Dutch and Tommies will follow, meeting for the 15th time in NCAA postseason competition. Central Coach George Wares knows it’s going to be a battle.

“They’re obviously good. They always are, and John (Tschida) has done a marvelous job with that program. I’m sure they’re a little disappointed in how the conference tournament went for them, which probably makes them more hungry. We’ve had many battles, and I don’t think this one will be any different. They swing the bat well and they’re going to do what they can on the bases. They’re very aggressive – more aggressive than many of the teams that we play.”

Wares and St. Thomas Coach John Tschida are both in the NFCA Hall of Fame, and have combined to win seven national championships. Wares is the winningest coach of all time by victories, while Tschida is the winningest coach of all time by percentage.

This year’s Tommies won the MIAC regular season championship but flamed out of the conference tournament and are 34-9 overall. Central finished second in both the IIAC regular season and conference tournament, and have a record of 32-8.

First pitch today is at 3:30, and you can hear the action live on 92.1 KRLS with Trevor Castle and Andrew Schneider. Pregame hits the airwaves at 3:15.