Ramstein’s men and women are the 2006 USAFE softball champions.

The men capped their undefeated run through the five-day double-elimination event played at RAF Lakenheath in England with a 19-17 victory over Spangdahlem in Friday’s title game.

The women were forced into an if-necessary game when they dropped their first try at the title 15-8 to Incirlik earlier in the day. They rebounded in the second game with a 20-12 victory over the Lady Nomads to grab the crown.

All four teams in the championship games qualified for the U.S. Forces Europe championships, scheduled for this week in Grafenwöhr, Germany. The Army representatives will be set Sunday after the conclusion of the USAREUR softball tournament.

The U.S. Forces Europe title games will be Aug. 27.

In Friday’s men’s game, Ramstein built a nine-run lead and then played good defense to hold off the Sabers.

“We made the defensive plays when we had to and hit well enough to win,” Tim Snyder, the Ramstein coach, said.

The women had to go an extra game after Incirlik fought its way back through the losers’ bracket to beat Ramstein in the Lady Rams’ first shot at the title.

However, Ramstein got strong performances on both offense and defense by Ness Burnett, Corrina Vieyra and Andrea Byrd in the second game to make sure it did not get away.

Selected to the men’s all-tournament team were Kevin Peoples, Kim Snyder and Mark Noll of Ramstein; Randy Wilhide and Leonard Myers of Spangdahlem; Dan Duich and Joe Hacker of Lakenheath; Travis Schoffner and O.J. Ornelas of Aviano; and Richard Henderson of Mildenhall.

Voted to the women’s team were Paola Ondina and Amy Longoria of Ramstein; Amy Gregory, Rashida Council and Jessica George of Incirlik; Misty Taylor and Kelly Keefer of Spangdahlem; Michelle Polachek of Lakenheath; Kelly Winston of Aviano; and Amanda Morrin of Mildenhall.

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