By Michael Cignoli (For OzarksSportsZone.com)
The 2026 season signals a turning point for Central baseball.
After graduating seven starters from a senior class that helped elevate the program, the Bulldogs find themselves at the start of a rebuild, with opportunities — and uncertainty — across the field.
“All we have right now are questions,” Central coach Jerrod White said.
The Class of 2025 set a school record with 13 wins in their junior year and followed that with an 11-16 finish last spring. In all, they won 38 games over four seasons — two more than Central won from 2011 to 2021 combined.
“They were truly special and provided so many memories that I’ll never forget,” White said. “While we missed our goal of winning in the postseason, we were competitive and tight-knit. I would say there’s no group in high school baseball that had more fun than we did together.”
Replacing a group that accomplished so much will not happen overnight.
“That leaves us with some big holes to fill,” White said. “We’ve had a good number of freshmen attend off-season trainings and that’s what we’ll need to start our rebuild.”
With a roster defined more by potential than experience, the Bulldogs will lean on their two returning starters to set the tone. Juniors AJ Stanfield (first base/pitcher) and Zach Fox (third base/pitcher) provide some continuity to the infield and rotation.
White on Stanfield: “He’s played in every game for us since he entered high school. Now he’ll be the leader — and he had a heck of group to learn from. This will be a great challenge for him and we’re excited about what he will do.”
White on Fox: “Great discipline at home plate. Several clutch hits for us down the stretch. He has had a great offseason of lifting and training. Looks much faster and more explosive. We’re gonna need his production.”
Stanfield and Fox are the only returning players who threw a pitch for the Bulldogs, and they accounted for less than 14 percent of the team’s innings pitched.
That opens the door for several newcomers to compete for key roles.
“Looking at it in February, we’re starting from scratch,” White said. “Everyone will have a chance to throw strikes and give our defense a chance.”
The batting order and defensive alignment are also filled with spots for the taking, and exact roles likely won’t be determined until closer to the season.
Still, White said junior John Quintera and freshmen Rex Rodholm, Truman Heider and Aiden Woodruff have been particularly impressive during offseason workouts.
“Obviously with three freshmen and a first-year junior listed, we’re going to have some growing pains,” White said. “Nobody will get more reps than us. We’ll be much stronger for it in ’27.”
Central, Parkview and Hillcrest will all participate in a March 13 jamboree at Hillcrest.
The Bulldogs will open the regular season March 23 at Forsyth.
“Nothing better than opening day at the ballpark,” White said. “I’m excited for the challenge of taking a group without much experience and leading them through the joys and adversity of a ball season.”
