DODDS-Europe softball championships Hohenfels prevents top seeds from sweeping titles
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Ramstein, Naples and Hohenfels captured their respective divisions Saturday in the DODDS-Europe Softball Tournament.
In two of the title games — Ramstein in Division I, Naples in Division II — the top seeds took care of business. In the other, No. 3 Hohenfels handed its coach an early going-away present by winning the Small Schools championship before he leaves to teach in Guam.
"This is my last year," said Hohenfels senior Kimberly Howard. "And it feels great that we could do it for Coach."
Ramstein 8, Lakenheath 2: The defending champion Lady Royals battled back to beat their main rival, second-seeded Lakenheath. The teams have met in the title game every year but one since 1999. The championship is the seventh in 11 years for Ramstein coach Kent Grosshuesch.
"This is a special team," Grosshuesch said. "They are mentally tough."
It didn’t start well for the Lady Royals, who gave up two runs in the first two innings. But those were the only runs Lakenheath got off Ramstein pitcher Maddie Byrd. In the fifth, catcher Becky Pletzer helped her pitcher by smacking a triple to right field to tie the game.
"I knew the minute I hit it," she said, "that our team’s spirits would be back up."
The hit ignited the Lady Royals’ bats, and they went on a tear, scoring seven runs. They added their final run in the sixth.
Byrd and Pletzer embraced after the game. It was the second championship for the pair, but this one was a little sweeter because it was their last one together.
"We wanted this one," Byrd said.
"It’s definitely sad," Pletzer said, referring to her final game with Byrd, "but we get to go out with a win."
Naples 2, Bitburg 0: Naples took down five-time defending champion Bitburg to win the Division II title in its first year of existence. Smart pitching and strong defense kept the Bitburg players off the bases for much of the game.
"We had good chemistry and we play like a well-oiled machine," pitcher Ashley Travis said. "I knew if I pitched my ‘A’ game, the defense would back me up."
Naples catcher Tori Ward broke a scoreless tie in the fourth when she roped a double to left field, driving in a run. She subsequently stole third, and a bunt by junior Kristy Randolph brought her home in a successful suicide squeeze. The two runs were all the Wildcats needed.
"Defense was the key," said head coach Cynda Masterman. "These are an amazing group of athletes."
Travis gave up only three hits, thanks in part to her teammates, who consistently made stellar catches in the field. The championship came after an undefeated regular season for Naples, which lost only once in tournament play.
"It’s so great that we can represent Italy," Ward said. "People didn’t think of Italy when it came to softball. We put ourselves on the map."
Hohenfels 7, AFNORTH 1: Hohenfels coach Billy Henry got a much-appreciated going-away gift when his squad defeated top-seeded AFNORTH to take the Small Schools crown. Henry helped bring softball to Hohenfels last year.
"When we started," he said, "some of the girls didn’t know what a foul line was, some didn’t know what ‘turn two’ meant. So we’ve come a long way from there. This is just fantastic."
The Lady Tigers were led by All-European pitcher Mandy LaVanway, who gave up only six hits and no walks. She also did her part at the plate, knocking in the first Hohenfels run in the top of the first. LaVanway never relinquished the lead.
"I just tried my best," she said. "And I knew I had my whole team behind me, and they are the best."
AFNORTH pitcher Lauren Anderson kept the game close until the fourth, when Hohenfels added to its lead behind junior Kayla Starnes’ triple to go up 5-0. From there, Hohenfels relied on pitching and strong defense to put the game away.
"It’s very difficult to leave," Henry said. "But I expect to see the girls back in the championship next year."
