PELLA—Central College outfielders Emma Johnson (junior, Davenport, Assumption Catholic HS) and Franie Burnett (sophomore, Ankeny, Centennial HS) were each named to the National Fastpitch Coaches Association Division III All-Region IX softball teams.
           
Johnson, a center fielder, was named to the second team while Burnett, a right fielder, was picked for the third team.
           
Johnson was earlier named a first-team American Rivers all-conference selection. She was the league's top hitter for the season with a .463 mark and ranked second in 16 conference games at 462. She had 57 hits in 39 games with a .504 on-base percentage, 28 runs scored, 16 RBIs and 13 stolen bases. Also the team's top defensive player, Johnson had a 1.000 fielding percentage.
           
Burnett was an all-region honoree for the second time after receiving first-team honors a year ago. She was a second-team all-conference pick this year, hitting .427 with 47 hits, 31 runs, 25 RBIs and 24 steals. She had a .926 fielding percentage. Burnett was named the NFCA Division III player of the week March 22 after hitting .667 in 10 games with 12 stolen bases.
           
A young Dutch squad finished with a 21-17 mark. Central is expected to return starters at nine of 10 positions for 2023. Under NFCA Hall of Fame coach George Wares, the winningest coach in Division III history with a 1,199-426-3 (.737) record, Central has won four NCAA titles and made 30 tournament appearances.