08/19/2026
FRIESEN FOCUS: CENTRAL CITY SOFTBALL
presented by Friesen Ford & Friesen Chevrolet
The final score hurt, but the season made history.
Central City lost its opening game of the 2025 state tournament before battling all the way back through the Class C bracket and earning a place in the NSAA State Championship game in Lincoln.
The Bison came within a single run of completing the remarkable journey, falling 5-4 to St. Cecilia in an unforgettable championship game. Central City finished the season 28-9 and brought home the first state runner-up trophy in program history.
Now comes the difficult part: turning the page without forgetting what it took to get there.
Central City must replace four important seniors in pitcher Payton Burbach, catcher Emma Brandes, infielder Deja Fothergill and outfielder Londyn Fisher. Burbach won 23 games and struck out 202 batters during her senior season. Brandes hit .442 with 43 RBIs and stole 31 bases. Together, that graduating class left a considerable hole in the lineup, in the field and inside the pitcher’s circle.
But this is not a program attempting to begin again.
Central City softball has continued to grow through its Stampede summer program, where many of the current Bison have already experienced championship-level competition. This year’s roster includes players who have won multiple USA Softball state championships, including members of the Stampede team that captured an 18U state title this summer.
The Bison may be young, but they are not arriving empty-handed.
Seniors Paige Grigsby and Juno Ryan will be asked to provide leadership for a roster featuring 11 freshmen and sophomores.
Grigsby will anchor first base and will also contribute depth in the pitcher’s circle. She hit .299 with 23 RBIs last season while recording a .973 fielding percentage. Her value, however, cannot be measured entirely by a stat sheet. Grigsby has spent years perfecting her craft and now steps into one of the program’s most important leadership roles.
Ryan returns as one of the most dangerous offensive players in Class C. She hit .407 last season with 44 hits, 12 doubles, three triples and a team-leading 11 home runs. She drove in 39 runs, scored 28 and stole 25 bases. Whether she is in the outfield, behind the plate or somewhere else on the diamond, Ryan gives the Bison an experienced and versatile presence capable of changing a game in several ways.
Journi Schindler leads a talented junior class after helping produce one of Central City’s best offensive seasons in 2025. Despite sitting out games because of an injury, Schindler hit .408 with six home runs, 38 RBIs, 33 runs and 22 stolen bases. She returned in time to help the Bison during their historic state tournament run and enters her junior season as a major piece of the lineup.
Sophie Moser and Riley Burbach also return with varsity experience.
Moser scored 30 runs last season while providing defense in right field. Burbach will have an opportunity to claim a larger role following the graduation of Brandes.
One of the season’s biggest questions will be answered in the pitcher’s circle.
Sophomore Maci Peters is expected to take on significantly more responsibility after working 27 innings as a freshman. Peters finished 5-0 with a 4.15 ERA, striking out 19 and walking 10. She also collected eight hits in 21 at-bats for a .381 average. Replacing an experienced ace is never simple, but Peters has already proven that she can record outs and win varsity games.
Keleigh Gonzalez returns after an impressive freshman year in which she contributed in both softball and wrestling. Gonzalez hit .300 during her first varsity softball season and handled all six of her defensive opportunities without an error per the 2025 stats.
Brooklynn Steinke, Stevie Morrison and Khloe McNeff give the Bison additional sophomore depth. Each gained varsity experience last season and will have opportunities to earn larger roles in 2026.
A deep freshman class adds even more possibilities.
Delaney Bandt has already made an impression at second base during early scrimmage action, while Quinnley Burbach has also seen time on the field. Ashtyn Boelts, Amelia Wright, Greenley Baker and Stella Luebbe complete a freshman group that could help shape the next several seasons of Central City softball.
There will be new names in prominent positions. There will be young players learning through meaningful innings. There will be difficult moments as Central City replaces the production and experience of a historic senior class.
There will also be talent, speed, championship experience and an understanding of what Central City softball can become.
Last year’s Bison showed that one loss does not have to end a journey. They responded to an opening-round setback by fighting their way to the final game of the season.
The 2026 team now begins a journey of its own.
The faces may be different, but the expectations have changed forever.
The Bison know the road to Lincoln.
Now they will try to travel it again.
The season kicks off Thursday at Boone Central. Central City’s first home action comes on August 25, when they host Polk County.
Central City Softball — 2026 Roster
Seniors: Paige Grigsby, Juno Ryan
Juniors: Sophie Moser, Riley Burbach, Journi Schindler
Sophomores: Brooklynn Steinke, Maci Peters, Stevie Morrison, Khloe McNeff, Keleigh Gonzalez
Freshmen: Quinnley Burbach, Ashtyn Boelts, Amelia Wright, Greenley Baker, Stella Luebbe, Delaney Bandt
