Division I

Humphreys BlackhawksCoach — Sheri Smith, Tracy Smith, second season.Key performers — Raquel Barnes, Sr.; Xyra Razon, Sr. (All-Far East Division II selection); Leann Roxas, Jr.; Kathleen Paclipan, Sr.; Isabelle Maulsby, Fr., P (transferred from Alabama); McKenzie Crosby, Sr., C (transferred from Washington); Madison Bridges, Fr.Outlook — Still in the formative building process, but improved in some areas, especially with the addition of Maulsby, who should be the team’s No. 1 pitcher with Barnes also available. Humphreys moves to Division I this season and has “definitely improved in girls athletics, but we have a ways to go,” Sheri Smith said.

Kadena Panthers2018 Far East Tournament finish — Fourth.Coach — Steven Larson, first season (transferred from Sigonella, Italy).Key performers — Tavia Huggins, Jr., SS-C; Aliyah Young-Williams, Jr., 2B; Lyjene Coy, So., Justice Martinez, So. IF; Ceirra Goss, Jr., OF; Keely Albrecht, So., P; Alexis Scrimpshire, Jr., P; Breanna Arismendez, So., C.Outlook — Still rebuilding, but with mostly sophomores and juniors who have a season of Panthers softball under their belts. Hoping to return to the D-I final which they’ve missed for the last two seasons. No seniors on the roster, but a wealth of experience up and down the lineup. Larson transfers from Sigonella, where he won three DODEA-Europe titles.

Kubasaki Dragons2018 Far East Tournament finish — Defending champion.Coach — Trevor Thibert, second season.Key performers — Jalyn Foster, Jr., 2B; Zoey Weidley, So., SS; Noelle Dela Cruz, Sr., 3B; Elena Belmont, Jr., C-UT; McKayla Payne, So., CF; Gracie McMahon, Fr., DH; Jocelyn Powell, Fr.; Alyssa Frank, Fr., P.Outlook — Reloading-contending. Strong up the middle, with Weidley and Foster anchoring the keystone and Payne in center field, and some new faces to the team but not new to the sport. Payne, fleet of foot, will likely lead off. Frank, who practiced with the JV last year as an eighth grader, has improved velocity as well as accuracy and could be the team’s primary hurler. And McMahon can “clobber the ball,” Thibert said. Could be in the back-to-back Division I title conversation.

Nile C. Kinnick Red Devils2018 Far East Tournament finish — Runner-up.Coach — Katrina Kemper, ninth season.Key performers — Tori Osterbrink, Jr., P; Kim Nelson, Sr., IF-P (two-time All-Far East selection); Michaela Hall, Sr., IF-OF; Cassie Boyer, Jr., IF; Ashlee Davies, So., IF; Bree Dignan, Sr., C (transferred from Rota, Spain); Skylar Hensen-Drumm, Jr., IF (transferred from Washington); Faith Sells, Fr., IF-P (transferred from San Diego).Outlook — Contending for second Far East D-I title in three seasons and fourth overall under Kemper. Strong returning corps, augmented by Hensen-Drum and Sells, each “exceptional players who will give the team a significant boost,” Kemper said. Deep in pitching. Strong, experienced veteran infield.

Division II

Daegu Warriors2018 Far East Tournament finish — Runner-up.Coach — Joy Sims, third season.Key performers — Bethani Newbold, So., P (reigning Most Outstanding Player); Reyann Belford, Sr., 1B; Neea Lizama, Jr., SS; Lexie Berry, So., 3B.Outlook — Rebuilding. Four players return from last year’s runner-up team; all new players are new to softball, Sims says. And the ranks are thin compared to last season.

E.J. King CobrasCoach — McKinzy Best, eighth season.Key performers — Yumika Randall, Jr., P-2B; Isabella Caronan, Jr., P-2B; Irene Eubanks, Jr., CF; Joanne Tanaka, C; Marianne Apilado, SS; Marissa Mendez, SS-3B; Kayli Gibson, 1B; Noel Barnhill, RF.Outlook — Rebuilding, but filled with juniors who have a year under their belts. Still a young team, but making improvements as the season nears.

Matthew C. Perry SamuraiCoach — Brad Cramer, third season.Key performers — None provided.Outlook — Rebuilding. Despite their youth, team has a good outlook and high hopes for a successful season, Cramer said. That said, replacing the starting pitching of the past two seasons, Olivia Reneau (graduated) and Hailey Greulich (transferred) will be an enormous task.

Osan CougarsCoaches — Lacie Arb, third season.Key performers — Kileyna Schniers, So., P; Kaiyana Schniers, Fr., P-C-1B; Satomi Swayne, Sr., C; Skye Cervantes, Sr., 3B-LF; Cassandra Brown, Jr., 1B-COutlook — Rebuilding. Just three players return from last season, but the new ones aren’t new to the game of softball. Swayne, in particular, is being looked to by Arb as the leader of a developing group. The Schniers sisters could be a significant strength.

Robert D. Edgren Eagles2018 Far East Tournament finish — Defending champion.Coach — Christina Fly, first season (assumes helm from Sarah Richardson).Key performers — Alex Amador, Fr., IF; Mykelah Johnson, Jr.; Samantha Bullman, Jr., C; Maysha Bullman, So., OF; Emily Adinolfi, Jr., P; Exxian Sears, Sr.Outlook — Rebuilding. Most of the talent that helped win the school’s first DODEA-Japan and Far East D-II titles has graduated or transferred. The huge question: How to replace three-time D-II Most Outstanding Player Brittany Crown, who graduated last spring. Projected pitchers are inexperienced.

Seoul American Falcons2018 Far East Tournament finish — Third in Division I.Coach — Robert Heckerl, first season (coached baseball team in the 2000s).Key performers — Tailan Hickey, So., IF; Erin Swinney, Sr., C.Outlook — In the twilight of the school’s 60-year history. Seoul American closes forever in three months and the drawdown in student population has put a dent in the available player pool. Still, Heckerl says the Falcons will do their best to be competitive.

Yokota Panthers2018 Far East Tournament finish — Fourth.Coach — Preston Heitstuman, first season.Key performers — Adrianna Diaz, Sr., IF-P; Annalise Rodriguez, So., CF; Becca Bauman, So., C; Kaela Jackson, Jr., RF-3B; Veronica Crawford, Jr., SS (transferred from D-II champion Edgren).Outlook — Contending, despite losing a large number of seniors. Good chemistry on a team filled with veterans and bolstered by the addition of Crawford.

Zama Trojans2018 Far East Tournament finish — Third.Coach — Danny Davis, first season.Key performers — Litzie Figueroa, Sr., SS-P; Jessica Atkinson, Jr., 1B-OF (All-Far East D-II selection); Aika Davis, So., P-C-CF (All-Far East D-II selection); Alyssia Grose, Fr., 3B-OF; KyeAunna Molina Fox, Fr., OF-IF; Destiny Orquiz, Fr., 2B.Outlook — Reloading. On paper it could be seen as a rebuild with so many new players, but the freshmen are not new to softball. Plenty of bats left over from the title contenders of two years ago and could make noise at D-II.

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