Courtesy of a strong showing at the Tucson Invitational games, the Central College softball team has moved up another spot in the NFCA Division III softball coaches’ poll. The Dutch are up to No. 8 this week, following a 14-2 record in Arizona that included a 2-0 victory over No. 13 Claremont-Mudd-Scripps.

Defending champion Linfield is again the No. 1 team in the nation after slipping to No. 4 for a week. Iowa Conference rivals Coe College and Luther College are nipping at the heels of the defending champs, as the Kohawks moved up to No. 2 and the Norse slipped to No. 3 after briefly holding the top spot.

The Central College softball team won’t jump into Iowa Conference play just yet, as they’ll get in more non-conference competition this Saturday and Sunday at the St. Louis Invitational.