Cedar Rapids, Iowa - Results of the American Rivers Conference's Softball Preseason Poll (as voted on by the league's head coaches):
 

2021 American Rivers Conference Softball Preseason Coaches' Poll
Rank	School (1st place votes)	Points	2020 Record (Season cut short due to Covid-19, no conference play occurred.)
1.	Central College (7)	60	6-1
2.	Wartburg College (2)	56	9-3
3.	Luther College	47	8-0
4.	University of Dubuque	46	10-4
5.	Coe College	35	1-1
t-6.	Nebraska Wesleyan University	27	8-4
t-6.	Simpson College	27	0-0
8.	Buena Vista University	17	4-8
9.	Loras College	9	6-6

NFCA Poll: After a solid start to the 2020 campaign before the season was shut down due to Covid-19, the Central Dutch were off to a hot 6-1 start which the Dutch hope to carry into the 2021 season as the National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) ranked them No. 7 in the preseason Division III Top-25 poll.

The Schedule: The 2021 season officially began on Saturday, February 20 when Buena Vista and Nebraska Wesleyan opened their seasons inside the dome in Mankato, Minnesota. The Beavers swept the day taking down both opponents out of the Upper Midwest Athletic Conference (UMAC), defeating Bethany Lutheran College 10-0 in five innings, and Northwestern-St. Paul 9-6. Nebraska Wesleyan faced Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) foe, Wisconsin-Eau Claire dropping both games to the Blugolds, 11-3 and 14-2, respectively. Luther opened their season in Mankato on Sunday, February 21 also against Bethany Lutheran College. The Norse took down the Vikings handedly in both contests, 8-0 in five innings and 9-1 in six innings.

Wartburg is set to open their season this afternoon, Thursday, February 25 down in Marvyille, Tenn. against Maryville College in a doubleheader. Maryville hails from the USA South Conference.

The Storm of Simpson College, after a 2020 season with zero varsity games played, open their season on Friday, February 26 in Jacksonville, Ill. with a doubleheader against Midwest Conference foe Illinois College.

Central College and Coe College begin play on Saturday, February 27. The Kohawks head north to the dome in Mankato to take on the Blugolds of Wisconsin-Eau Claire (WIAC). The Dutch head south to St. Louis, Mo. to face-off with Illinois College (Midwest Conference) and Concordia University Chicago out of the NACC.

Loras College will get their 2021 campaign underway Thursday, March 4 when they travel to Peoria, Ill. The Duhawks will square off against College of St. Scholastica and Mount Mary University. St. Scholastic belongs to the the UMAC and Mount Mary has conference affiliation with The Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference (NACC).

In an effort to maximize competitive opportunities for student-athletes who lost the chance to compete a season ago, the American Rivers Conference will employ a 24-game round-robin schedule instead of the typical 16-game slate. For the 2021 season only, the Conference's Automatic Qualifier to the NCAA Division III Softball Championships will be awarded to the winner of the 24-game conference slate. An all-comers conference tournament will take place at the conclusion of the regular season. It will be the first time all of the teams will be invited to the tournament, which usually has six participants.  

A-R-C play is set to begin the weekend of Friday, March 19 as the Central Dutch and Coe College Kohawks kick off conference play with a doubleheader in Cedar Rapids, with the third game of the series scheduled for Sunday, March 21. Saturday, March 20 sees six other teams begin conference play with doubleheaders as Loras College hosts Nebraska Wesleyan University, the University of Dubuque heads to Waverly to face the Wartburg College Knights, and the Simpson College Storm play host to the Beavers of Buena Vista University in Indianola, Iowa.

The Luther College Norse have the opening weekend off from conference play but are set to play host to the Edgewood College Eagles out of the Northern Athletic Collegiate Conference (NACC). The Norse will open A-R-C play on Tuesday, March 25 when the Knights of Wartburg come to The Valley for a doubleheader.

Conference Tournament: The 2021 American Rivers Conference tournament will begin with an 8/9 play-in game on Tuesday, May 11. The winner of the 8/9 single game will advance to the eight-team double elimination bracket, which is set to begin on Thursday, May 13 and conclude on Saturday, May 15. 

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No.1 Central College Head Coach: George Wares - 35th season at Central (1,158-395) 2020 Conference Finish: N/A 2020 Record: 6-1 Position Starters Returning/Lost: 6/3 Pitchers Returning/Lost: 3/1 Letter winners Returning/Lost: 14/5 All-Conf Returning: Daria Parchert (Sr., SS), Sara Tallman (Sr., OF) All-Conf Lost: Mariah Fritz (Co-pitcher of the year), Sadie Baugher (OF), Shaye Witte (OF), Kaitlyn Andresen (2B) Returning Players to Watch: Daria Parchert (Sr., SS), Sara Tallman (Sr., OF), Sydney Huisman (So., P), Morgan Schaben (So., P), Skylar Sadler (So., P), Madison Farrington (So., C), Cassie Severson (So., C), Emma Johnson (So., LF) George Wares - "We obviously were very excited about our start in 2020 before Covid. Good mix of veterans and newcomers. Having our first 5th year senior ever, in Sara Tallman is obviously a big plus. We believe we are as deep in the circle and behind the plate as we have been for a while. My comment about the league never changes, it is always from top to bottom one of the best leagues in the country. The 24-game format for one season will be fun and interesting in such a competitive league."

 

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No.2 Wartburg College Head Coach: Jamie Mueller - 6th season at Wartburg (93-73) 2020 Conference Finish: N/A 2020 Record: 9-3 Position Starters Returning/Lost: 7/1 Pitchers Returning/Lost: 4/0 Letter winners Returning/Lost: 14/9 All-Conf Returning: Maddie Rog (Sr., 2019 Co-pitcher of the year), Leah Campos (Sr., 3B), Madison Stoaks (Sr., OF), Sydney Illg (Jr., SS) All-Conf Lost: None Returning Players to Watch: Kaci Sherwood (Sr., 1B), Olivia Brecht (Jr., INF), Lauren Frerichs (So., UTL), Maddie Rog (Sr., P), Leah Campos (Sr., 3B), Madison Stoaks (Sr., OF), Sydney Illg (Jr., SS) Jamie Mueller - "We're grateful to have the opportunity to get back on the field and compete for an A-R-C championship this season."

 

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No.3 Luther College Head Coach: Renae Rost-Hartl - 20th season at Luther (595-192) 2020 Conference Finish: N/A 2020 Record: 8-0 Position Starters Returning/Lost: 5/3 Pitchers Returning/Lost: 4/0 Letter winners Returning/Lost: 15/3 All-Conf Returning: None All-Conf Lost: Paige Timmerman Returning Players to Watch: Kendra Cooper (Jr., P), Courtney Cooper (Sr., P), Hannah Halverson (Sr., SS), Elsa Skeie (Sr., 2B), Morgan Hogensen (Jr., OF) Renae Rost-Hartl - "Last year was such an abrupt end to our season a couple of days before we were supposed to leave for Florida. This year, our team is so grateful everyday to be together and to be able to practice. We have been doing everything we can control to stay healthy and safe during the pandemic. We know that this season will be a success if our season can be played and our student-athletes are able to compete in the game they love so much."

   

No.4 University of Dubuque Head Coach: Jeff Lamb - 3rd season at Dubuque (36-17) 2020 Conference Finish: N/A 2020 Record: 10-4 Position Starters Returning/Lost: 8/9 Pitchers Returning/Lost: 3/1 Letter winners Returning/Lost: 10/4 All-Conf Returning: None All-Conf Lost: Abby McBee (P), Kaylin Featheringill (OF) Returning Players to Watch: Deanna Orgier (Jr., 1B), Kylee Biedermann (Sr., SS) Jeff Lamb - "It's going to be an exciting year with a great mix of new and returning players for us. I think we've got a group that can do a lot of different things and it will be fun to get on the field and see what we can do in such a great conference."

 

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No.5 Coe College Head Coach: Diane Meyer - 7th season at Coe (142-63) 2020 Conference Finish: N/A 2020 Record: 33-11 OA (11-5 A-R-C) Position Starters Returning/Lost: 8/2 Pitchers Returning/Lost: 3/0 Letter winners Returning/Lost: 17/3 All-Conf Returning: Kelsey Hora (Sr., CF), Megan Weber (Sr., C) All-Conf Lost: None Returning Players to Watch: Kelsey Hora (Sr., CF), Megan Weber (Sr., C/DH), Keera Ball (So., 2B), Ruby Kappeler (So., OF), Ellie Thurow (So., RHP), Hannah Ausenhus (So., RHP), Madi Parson (So., 1B), Skyler Stookey (So., C) Diane Meyer - "The 2021 conference season will be like all others in the past; every game highly entertaining and extremely competitive. Our mission is to keep our team healthy so we have the opportunity to play our conference schedule and give our young players the chance to experience collegiate softball while allowing our senior's final season to be truly memorable."

  

Tied-No.6 Nebraska Wesleyan University Head Coach: Mary Yori - 6th season at NWU (91-77) 2020 Conference Finish: N/A 2020 Record: 8-4 Position Starters Returning/Lost: 8/1 Pitchers Returning/Lost: 3/0 Letter winners Returning/Lost: 16/1 All-Conf Returning: Kailey Meyer (Jr., P/DP) All-Conf Lost: Morgan Shipley (CF) Returning Players to Watch: Kailey Meyer (Jr., P/DP), Sydney Nickerson (Jr., SS/2B), Taylor Styskal (Jr., 1B), Emma Alfieri (So., 3B), Mollie Grant (So., 2B/SS), Ellie Warneke (So., P), Valerie Gerlach (So., C) Mary Yori - "After a solid 2020 start at 8-4, this team has nearly everyone back with some additional players that should help add quality and depth. This group is talented and poised to compete in the always strong A-R-C."

Tied-No.6 Simpson College Head Coach: Brent Matthias - 4th Season at Simpson (50-63) 2020 Conference Finish: N/A 2020 Record: 0-0 Position Starters Returning/Lost: 32/3 Pitchers Returning/Lost: 9/0 Letter winners Returning/Lost: 32/3 All-Conf Returning: Megan Crockett (Sr., OF), Sara Trent (Sr., 3B), Emily Bell (Sr., P) All-Conf Lost: None Returning Players to Watch: Megan Crockett (Sr., OF), Sara Trent (Sr., 3B), Emily Bell (Sr., P), Camrey Leo (Sr., OF), Brynna Bowman (Sr., OF), Carlyn Stanley (Sr., P), Georgia Porter (Sr., C) Brent Matthias - "Coming off a year where we played no varsity games due to Covid, this group is excited to get back on the field and play this season. We have a large group of senior leaders that are very talented. Add some great returners and newcomers and we have a team that is ready to compete in the super competitive A-R-C."

2019 Statistics (All Games)
Players to Watch: (Returning Players Only)	(All stats from 2019)
Megan Crockett (Sr., OF)	.369 BA // 7 2B // 2 3B // 9 HR // 31 RBI
Sara Trent (Sr., 3B)	.297 BA // 8 2B // 6 HR // 23 walks // 20 RBI
Emily Bell (Sr., P)	19-games started // 13 CG // 11-6 record // 2.27 ERA // 114.0 IP // 78 K
Camrey Leo (Sr., OF)	.329 BA // 3 2B // 3 HR // 16 RBI
Brynna Bowman (Sr., OF)	.256 BA // 8 2B // 1 3B // 14 walks
Carlyn Stanley (Sr., P)	No stats
Georgia Porter (Sr., C)	9 AB // 6 runs // 2 RBI

   

No.9 Loras College Head Coach: Ashley Winter - 12th season at Loras (173-209-1) 2020 Conference Finish: N/A 2020 Record: 6-6 Position Starters Returning/Lost: 6/5 Pitchers Returning/Lost: 1/2 Letter winners Returning/Lost: 13/7 All-Conf Returning: None All-Conf Lost: None Returning Players to Watch: Hadalyn Anderson (Sr., UTL), Madison Franks (Sr., OF), Ellie Schill (Jr., OF), Taylor Donnell (Jr., P), Jessica Burlanda (So., 1B), Gabriella Garcia (So., 2B) Ashley Winter - "We are grateful for the opportunity to play the game we love together in one of the top conferences in the nation. We are excited to get on the field."