Central College moved up three notches in the NFCA Division III softball poll.

Central is tied at No. 9 with Moravian after opening at No. 12 in the preseason ratings. Iowa Conference rival Luther College is No. 6. Last year’s national runnerup, Linfield College remains a unanimous choice for No. 1.

The Dutch open the season at the Tucson Invitational Games, taking on St. Mary’s and Pitt-Bradford March 11. Central is scheduled to play 16 games in Arizona from March 11-19.