HEIDELBERG, Germany — It’s hard to close out a champion.

Heidelberg, unbeaten going into Saturday’s high school softball doubleheader against two-time defending European Division I champion Ramstein, was tied in the first game after five innings and led 3-1 after five in the nightcap but lost both games, 14-3 and 5-3.

Ramstein struck for six runs in the sixth and five in the seventh in the opener to make a winner of sophomore Jessica Apodaca. Apodaca struck out 11, allowed eight hits and was backed by 3-for-5 efforts at the plate by Heather Steele and Alex Brokaw.

Ashley Hamree, who had allowed only three hits over the first five innings, took the loss for Heidelberg. She was 3-for-3 at the plate.

In the nightcap, Ramstein (6-2 overall, 5-1 Div. I) again bunched its hits, banging out four of its six for the game in a decisive four-run sixth.

Victoria Apodaca picked up the victory that put the Lady Royals atop the Division I standings. She struck out 11 and went 2-for-3 at the plate. Lindsay Dunn also went 2-for-3.

Hamree again took the loss. Despite a 2-for-3 outing by Brittany Clark, Heidelberg fell to 6-2 overall and 4-2 in Division I.

In other softball games of note Saturday:

Würzburg, Wiesbaden split

At Würzburg, Kordia Holmes came on in relief of Deana Davis and pitched four innings of one-hit ball, striking out eight, to help the Lady Wolves defeat Wiesbaden 6-4 and earn a split of a Division I doubleheader.

Wiesbaden (6-2 overall, 2-2 in league play) took the opener 12-9 as winning pitcher Lizzie Penzien struck out five, walked nine and allowed eight hits. Lady Wolves center fielder Rashelle Maye was 4-for-4 with two RBIs.

Würzburg (1-5 overall, 1-3 Div. I) got three RBIs from Megan Riley in the opener and a home run from Amanda Venture in the nightcap.

Bitburg rolls on

At Bitburg, the Lady Barons improved to 4-0 in Division II with 17-7 and 23-5 victories over Mannheim (1-7, 0-4 Div. II).

All-Europe pitcher Ashley Kazimer allowed two hits in the opener and struck out nine. Mannheim’s Shinita Camps and Nyesha Green were the only batters to get hits off Kazimer.

In the nightcap, younger sister Nicole Kazimer and freshman Gabby Ussery combined for a no-hitter, and Monica Bintz stole six bases during the game for Bitburg (7-1).

K-town sweeps Hanau

At Hanau, Kaiserslautern of Division I claimed 16-1 and 14-2 run-rule victories over Division II Hanau (1-7).

Kili Smith picked up a three-inning victory in the opener. She also had three hits, as did teammate Tina Mamner.

In the nightcap, which went five innings, Emily Badstibner and Erica Ward each collected four hits for the Lady Raiders (4-2).

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