Central College opens in 22nd in the National Fastpitch Coaches Association Division III top-25 preseason poll.

The Dutch were 32-10 last spring and finished with a No. 22 ranking. Central made a record 28th NCAA Division III tournament appearance and has finished in the national top 10 15 times. Six position players will return as starters in 2018, including first team all-Iowa Conference center fielder Sara Tallman from Pella. Second baseman Paige Dickel was a second-team all-league selection. Central opens the year in Tucson, Arizona with six games at the NFCA Division III Leadoff Classic, starting with No. 6 Trine University (Ind.) on March 2.

Playing an additional 10 games in Tucson at the Tucson Invitational Games, the Dutch will open the home schedule against Grinnell College on Wednesday, March 28.