Ramstein runner Amaya Calderon reaches back to touch home plate after missing it during the second game of a doubleheader against Stuttgart on May 10, 2025, at the Stuttgart Reds Softball Field in Stuttgart, Germany. (Matt Wagner/Stars and Stripes)

The Ramstein and Vicenza softball programs come from opposite backgrounds – at least in recent years.

The Royals always are in contention in Division I, playing in all but two finals since 1999.

Vicenza, meanwhile, is two seasons removed from a one-win regular season that ended in a surprise run to the European title game. The Cougars followed that up with a quarterfinal exit last spring.

Yet heading into the 2025 DODEA European softball championships on Wednesday through Friday in the Kaiserslautern Military Community, the two teams are among the favorites in their respective divisions.

“We’re going to stay humble,” Ramstein senior Emma Inthavixay said. “Despite knowing that we can beat the teams, we’re still going to play our hardest, not let down.”

That mindset might be a little harder for the top-seeded Cougars (10-4, 10-1). They are going from hunting Naples, the three-time defending champion, to being hunted.

But after the program’s best season in some time, though, shortstop and captain Hannah Findlay said the team is ready.

“We’ve never had a season where we’ve done this well before,” she said. “We’ve definitely played some good games, some hard games, but if our girls stay calm, confident and humble going into Euros, I think we’ve got a good shot at the championship.”

Division I

The Royals (14-0, 12-0) seem to grow softball players on trees, ready to pluck at a moment’s notice.

Take the introduction of Kelsey Moya, who joined the team right before spring break. The pitcher immediately became Ramstein’s No. 1 choice in the circle.

Coming from Florida, the ace said while she was inserted into lineup quickly, she still experienced an adjustment period.

“It was a little different because I didn’t have the team chemistry, but I was welcomed in, and I made sure that I play my part and work for the team,” Moya said.

Moya’s addition made an already deep Ramstein roster even more talented.

The Royals have four players capable of stepping into the circle, including Arianna Chambers. The senior has slotted in as the Game 2 starter in doubleheaders, giving the team a powerful one-two punch.

“Playing on Ramstein, it’s an honor,” Chambers said. “You have to fight for your spot and not guaranteed one, so every day at practice is a fight.”

That competitive nature in practice has led to a roster where coach Kent Enyeart expects all 18 girls to be able to contribute when their number is called.

And the coach said Ramstein will need everybody to complete the three-peat. The Royals have been pushed in multiple games, including the first game against third-seeded Stuttgart on May 10 that the Royals won 5-4.

“They all understand that not one person can win the game,” Enyeart said. “Kelsey’s strong on the mound, but she can’t win everything. You see when they do hit her, it takes everybody as a team, and they know that they can’t do it on their own.”

Naples’ Madison Myers slides safely into home during a close play as Vicenza catcher Katherine Green tries to prevent the run. The Cougars went on to win both games of the girls’ softball season-opening doubleheader in Naples. (Alison Bath/Stars and Stripes)

Division II/III

Findlay has seen the Cougars grow over the past three seasons in more than wins and losses.

The shortstop described the 2025 Vicenza squad as one with minimal issues among the players, and that has played out on the softball diamonds this spring.

“We’re much more unified this year than in past years,” Findlay said. “Everyone on the team has a lot of respect for each person and what they can do. That’s really led to better games, better practices, a more focused mindset.”

It’s been a part of a process set in motion by Osvaldo Garcia-Carrillo and his staff when he took over last spring.

Garcia-Carillo said sticking with the process will lead to success in the KMC.

“If we’re not trusting what we have learned, what we are able and capable to do on the field and off the field, that will be our biggest threat,” Osvaldo Garcia-Carrillo said.

Vicenza may be the favorite to take home the small-school division crown, but other candidates are ready to step into the void as well.

Sigonella dropped its lone contest with the Cougars. Since then, the Jaguars (6-4, 6-4) picked up a win against every other team they’ve faced en route to receiving the second seed.

Pitcher Alex Quintanilla said several teams could give Sigonella and Vicenza trouble in the tournament.

“It’s going to be very competitive,” Quintanilla said. “Everyone’s got a fair chance. Rota is definitely looking very solid. Even Naples, seeing them improve from the beginning toward the end of the season, and of course there’s Vicenza.”

The Jaguars are banking on their resiliency to navigate the field. Sigonella lost four doubleheader openers this season, but in each instance, the team bounced back to win the second game.

Quintanilla said it hasn’t been all on her, too, which has made the ride all that more enjoyable.

“Especially coming from our freshmen, we got a lot of softball players come in, and that’s just made the weight on my shoulders a lot easier,” Quintanilla said. “I feel like we’re having a lot more fun on the field.”