Wiesbaden's Melanie Hirschel-Weber hits the ball during the DODEA-Europe softball tournament at Ramstein Air Base, Germany, on Friday, May 26, 2017. Wiesbaden lost the Division I game against Kaiserslautern 10-5. MICHAEL B. KELLER/STARS AND STRIPES ()
Wiesbaden's Melanie Hirschel-Weber hits the ball during the DODEA-Europe softball tournament at Ramstein Air Base, Germany, on Friday, May 26, 2017. Wiesbaden lost the Division I game against Kaiserslautern 10-5. MICHAEL B. KELLER/STARS AND STRIPES ()
Kaiserslautern's Ally Alamos runs to first during the DODEA-Europe softball tournament at Ramstein Air Base, Germany, on Friday, May 26, 2017. Kaiserslautern won the Division I game against Wiesbaden 10-5. MICHAEL B. KELLER/STARS AND STRIPES ()
Wiesbaden's Grace Turner, left, tags Kaiserslautern's Phoenix Whisennand out at second during the DODEA-Europe softball tournament at Ramstein Air Base, Germany, on Friday, May 26, 2017. Wiesbaden lost the game 10-5. MICHAEL B. KELLER/STARS AND STRIPES ()
Bitburg's Alicia Paul, right, runs to third ahead of a throw to Hohenfels' Aliyah Jordan during the DODEA-Europe softball tournament at Ramstein Air Base, Germany, on Friday, May 26, 2017. Bitburg won the Division II/III game 10-4. MICHAEL B. KELLER/STARS AND STRIPES ()
Vicenza's Beatrice Afoa-Galo runs to first during the DODEA-Europe softball tournament at Ramstein Air Base, Germany, on Friday, May 26, 2017. Vicenza lost the Division I game against Stuttgart 20-6. MICHAEL B. KELLER/STARS AND STRIPES ()
Stuttgart's Carly Sharp hits the ball during the DODEA-Europe softball tournament at Ramstein Air Base, Germany, on Friday, May 26, 2017. Stuttgart won the Division I game against Vicenza 20-6 and advances to the semifinals. MICHAEL B. KELLER/STARS AND STRIPES ()
Kaiserslautern's Phoenix Whisennand throws a pitch during the DODEA-Europe softball tournament at Ramstein Air Base, Germany, on Friday, May 26, 2017. Kaiserslautern won the Division I game against Wiesbaden 10-5. MICHAEL B. KELLER/STARS AND STRIPES ()
Wiesbaden's Rhianna McInnins hits the ball during the DODEA-Europe softball tournament at Ramstein Air Base, Germany, on Friday, May 26, 2017. Wiesbaden lost the game against Kaiserslautern 10-5. MICHAEL B. KELLER/STARS AND STRIPES ()
Bitburg's Alicia Paul throws a pitch during the DODEA-Europe softball tournament at Ramstein Air Base, Germany, on Friday, May 26, 2017. Bitburg won the Division II/III game against Hohenfels 10-4. MICHAEL B. KELLER/STARS AND STRIPES ()
Bitburg's Kaitlyn Fleming hits the ball in a game against AFNORTH during the second day of the softball championships at Kaiserslautern, Friday, May 26. (Martin Egnash/Stars and Stripes)
Naples' Mia Rawlins hits the ball in a game against Vilseck during the second day of the softball championships at Kaiserslautern, Friday, May 26. (Martin Egnash/Stars and Stripes)
Rota's Grace Lagger hits the ball during a game against Sigonella during the second day of the softball championships at Kaiserslautern, Friday, May 26. (Martin Egnash/Stars and Stripes)
SHAPE's Josie Whitaker runs across home plate during a game against Naples during the second day of the softball championships at Kaiserslautern, Friday, May 26. (Martin Egnash/Stars and Stripes)
Naples' Anika Loverink pitches in a game against SHAPE during the second day of the softball championships at Kaiserslautern, Friday, May 26. (Martin Egnash/Stars and Stripes)
Sigonella's Latatayana Jefferson bunts the ball during a game against Rota during the second day of the softball championships at Kaiserslautern, Friday, May 26. (Martin Egnash/Stars and Stripes)
KAISERSLAUTERN, Germany – The second day of the DODEA-Europe Softball Championships saw the strong Division I teams advance to the semifinals, while many the Division II/III teams did complete turn-arounds from their performances Thursday.
In Division I, Ramstein and Vilseck remain undefeated. The Royals beat Lakenheath 7-0.
“We have a target on our back,” Ramstein coach Steve Kennedy said. “We have to keep fighting every game. We can’t let up.”
Vilseck beat Naples 7-6 and Kaiserslautern 9-8. In their game against Kaiserslautern, the Falcons were losing 8-4 up until the last inning, when the team scored five runs.
Stuttgart won its game against Vicenza, 20-6, securing a place in the semifinals against Vilseck at noon.
During Stuttgart’s game against Vicenza, Panthers catcher Rozalyn Eilenberger hit a grand slam in the third inning.
“I just started to have fun and enjoy the game. Then I got into the zone and hit it,” Eilenberger said. “I love softball. I would be happy just to be in the seats watching it, as long as I got to be a part of it.”
Kaiserslautern beat Weisbaden 12-5, and will play against Ramstein on Saturday at 12:30 p.m.
Division II/III has been much more evenly matched, and has three more round-robin games Saturday to determine who will join Sigonella in the finals.
Bitburg lost both of its games Thursday, but won both of its games Friday. The Barons beat Hohenfels 10-4 and AFNORTH 17-1.
“Yesterday was tough,” Bitburg assistant coach Keoni Skiles said. “We had to shake off all the errors we made, and not let them get into our heads. We played really well today.”
The Barons will be playing Aviano Saturday. The Saints also lost both their games Thursday, but redeemed themselves to beat Rota 13-8 and AFNORTH 11-1.
“These wins really mean a lot to us” Aviano coach Brian Irizarry said. “Going into tomorrow 2 and 2, instead of 0 and 4, is really motivating. It keeps us in the hunt for the championships.”
On the opposite side of the spectrum, Rota and Hohenfels won both of their games Thursday, then lost both games Friday. One will turn around its fortunes when the two meet Saturday.
Sigonella remains undefeated, beating Rota 11-5 and Hohenfels 8-3.
“We’ve been third place three years in a row,” coach Steve Larson said. “The girls really want that championship. They finally have a chance to get it. I think it’s their year.”
Twitter: @Marty_Stripes
