Photo courtesy of Iowa Central Softball: Former Fort Dodge Dodger Cadence Touney

The Iowa Central softball team had a season to remember a year ago, winning 49 games and reaching the national tournament for the first time since 2009.

The 2026 Tritons aren’t necessarily trying to duplicate their predecessors on the field, but they will be trying to replicate their accomplishments.

Head coach Bo Tjebben’s squad lost seven talented sophomores and the top two pitchers from a Top-10 ranked group that placed seventh nationally and produced a pair of All-Americans. Instead of settling into a rebuilding cycle, Tjebben and his staff bridged the gap quickly and have Iowa Central off to an impressive 15-3 start following a perfect 10-0 Florida spring trip.

The Tritons dive into the deep end of their ICCAC league schedule on Thursday, returning home to take on No. 16 NIACC for a twinbill starting at 2 p.m. at Rogers Sports Complex.

“In a lot of ways, this is an entirely new ballclub,” said Tjebben, a former Fort Dodge Senior High standout pitcher who is in his sixth season at the helm. “We’re still trying to figure a lot of things out, which can be expected anyway this time of year. But we’ve shown some real glimpses of potential so far and the kids are working very hard. The makeup and the pieces aren’t really comparable (to 2025), because every team has its own identity.

“It’s a fun group that is very supportive of each other. Of course that’s the goal when you recruit, but you never really know when you’re bringing in athletes from all over. We really emphasize a family culture with our program, and they’ve bought into that.”

The returning anchors – now sophomores themselves – are leading the way. Natalie Rasmussen is batting .517 with nine home runs, 28 RBI, 16 stolen bases and 34 runs scored in just 18 games. She’s already a two-time ICCAC athlete of the week. Avery McKinney (.525) and Kyra Kain (.509) have also been tough outs so far for the opposition.

“Natalie is an exceptional athlete,” Tjebben said. “She can pretty much do it all and play everywhere (on the field). So many times, you see girls really take off and blossom their sophomore year. She’s on that (trajectory).

“She’s one of our best catchers, which is unique because she’s our starting shortstop. Natalie is also a tremendous and supportive teammate.”

McKinney is the team’s returning centerfielder. Kain is another outfielder with plenty of experience.

“Avery covers so much ground in center,” Tjebben said. “She’s really coming around as a hitter. She’s been getting her drag bunts down and really utilizing her speed.

“Kyra has one of the nicest left-handed swings you’ll see. She works so hard on her craft. She played a big role in our success (in 2025), and has even more so this year.”

Sophomore Ellie Nolte (Southeast Valley) has also experienced increased playing time.

Many Triton freshmen have made a seamless transition to date. Jersey Hawf has six homers, 27 RBI and a .434 average. Former St. Edmond all-stater Lauren Gibb is batting .459, while ex-Fort Dodge Dodger Cadence Touney is at .387.

Josephine Moore and Jozie Kerr have been regular contributors as well, alongside Addyson Jeske (Eagle Grove).

The pitching staff is an admitted work in progress, according to Tjebben. The Tritons are finding their footing without All-American Jayda Long (22-5 last year) and Jadeyn Stahr (14-3), who are now at Truman State and Wayne State, respectively.

“It’s not a question of talent or ability, but more building confidence and showing consistency,” Tjebben said of his hurlers. “They’ll get there. So much of this is about being ready when your name is called. That goes for pitching, hitting and fielding. The ‘want’ is there with all of our ballplayers. At this point, though, we’re still in the process of gaining experience and learning as we go.”

Returning sophomore Jaidan Abel has been brilliant so far in the circle, going 4-1 with an 0.63 earned run average. Another veteran sophomore, Jillian French, is 3-0.

Freshmen Scarlett Gordon (4-1), Josie Juhl (3-1) and Olivia Hedrick (1-0) round out the staff.

“Jaidan was our closer (in 2025) and is making the transition into a starting role, so she’s still pacing herself and building stamina,” Tjebben said. “Jillian has really good movement and experience here as a starter (going 7-1 a year ago). Scarlett can spin it and is in the 58-60 (mile per hour) range. Josie and Olivia have plenty of talent, too.”

Tjebben knows the ICCAC will be “an absolute grind.”

“It’s the best conference in the nation,” Tjebben said. “Kirkwood (4th) and DMACC (9th) are in the Top-10 again. NIACC is ranked. We’re off to a good start. So is Iowa Lakes (15-3).

“We’ll get better and tougher facing this schedule. It won’t be easy and our record may not always be what we want, but the goal is to be playing our best ball in May. We don’t want to get high or too low about (early-spring) results.”

Iowa Central, which has 18 players hailing from this state, has been anxious to return home. The squad took advantage of perfect early weather to play a doubleheader at Rogers Park over a month ago, but they haven’t been back on their field since.

“We drove 24 hours straight home from Florida (last weekend) and got some practice time in (this week in Fort Dodge),” Tjebben said. “We had fun down there, but now we’re ready to be in front of our fans again and for the weather to get better.

“We’ll just take things one game at a time and stay positive. NIACC is really good and will be a big test (Thursday). It’s not how you start, though…it’s how you finish.”

Tjebben, who has an overall record of 186-105 at the helm, will again be assisted by his daughters, Cassie Tjebben and Bre Hiracheta, as well as Bill Myers. Tjebben was the ICCAC coach of the year last spring.

2026 IOWA CENTRAL SOFTBALL

Roster

Sophomores – Ellie Nolte, Farnhamville (Southeast Valley); Jaidan Abel, Urbandale; Natalie Rasmussen, Sioux City; Avery McKinney, Urbandale; Jillian French, Bussey; Kyra Kain, Urbandale; Gracie Kirk, Peru; Blessing Edittu, Grundy Center.

Freshmen – Lauren Gibb, Fort Dodge (St. Edmond); Cadence Touney, Fort Dodge; Addyson Jeske, Eagle Grove; Ryan Haynes, Algona; Jersey Hawf, Larchwood; Josephine Moore, Sigourney; Sydney Gallentine, St. Louis Park, Minn.; Josie Juhl, St. Ansgar; Jersey Reiling, Sioux City; Scarlett Gordon, Grants Pass, Ore.; Breaunna Wenger; Ogden; Jozie Kerr, Rock Island, Ill.; Ella Shantz, Kitchener, Ontario; Olivia Hedrick, Vinton.

Remaining Schedule

March 19 – NIACC; 21 – at Northeast (Neb.); 22 – at Central (Neb.); 25 – at Iowa Lakes; 28 – Hawkeye; 29 – DMACC.

April 1 – at Kirkwood; 3 – Northeast Iowa; 4 – Ellsworth; 8 – Iowa Lakes; 11 – at Northeast Iowa; 12 – at Ellsworth; 15 – Central; 18 – at Hawkeye; 19 – at DMACC; 22 – at NIACC; 25 – Northeast; 26 – Kirkwood;