Though they certainly put some added pressure on themselves with a two-and-out showing at the conference tournament, the Central College softball team still found itself among the programs named to the 60-team Division III National Tournament field Monday morning.  The berth marks the record 23rd time in 26 years that the Dutch have made the field.  
Central will begin the tournament road at home, as they host an eight-team regional, beginning Thursday against Benedictine.  The Dutch hold the No. 2 ranking in the region, behind Linfield – the No. 1-ranked team in the NFCA Division III poll.  
Conference rival Coe College is also in Central’s region at the No. 3 seed.  Iowa Conference co-champion Luther College is the No. 1 seed in the regional being held in Eau Claire, Wisconsin.  
Central enters the National Tournament with an overall record of 35-7.