Ramstein pitcher Kelsey Moya winds up to deliver a pitch Thursday, May 22, 2025 at the DODEA-Europe Division I softball championships on Ramstein Air Base, Germany. (Kent Harris/Stars and Stripes)
Ramstein and Vicenza took home titles last year using different methods.
The Royals picked up their third-straight Division I title via DODEA-Europe’s next dominant pitcher. The Cougars, meanwhile, used mayhem at the plate and on the basepaths to outscore opponents for a Division II/III crown.
Both teams are connected this year as Ramstein gained Vicenza’s best player. They both are favorites to repeat this spring.
Not that either will be able to waltz to another crown. Kaiserslautern and Stuttgart lead contenders hoping to end the Royals’ reign.
In the small-schools tier, Naples will be seeking to return to the top. And a few others will be looking to make deep runs.
All will be determined on the field of the Kaiserslautern Military Community on May 20-22.
Here’s a team-by-team look, based off responses from coaches across Europe:
Division I
The Raiders have reached the last two title games, only to come out on the wrong side of the scoreboard against crosstown rival Ramstein.
Under first-year coach Lindsay Arnold, Kaiserslautern will hope to get over the hump. But it will be doing so with a relatively new squad.
Four key returners are led by Allison Monroe. The junior earned first-team All-European honors in 2025 as a left fielder.
Fellow juniors Omarah Butler and Ornella Taylor and sophomore Kennedy Donohoe bring back experience.
Sophomore Maya Brown and freshmen Mia Carrasquillo and Grace Williams are expected to contribute in their first seasons with the Raiders.
The Royals may have a new sheriff in town, but it’s a face they know well.
Kris Mihalic takes over as head coach after two years as an assistant under the retired Kent Enyeart. Katherine Enyeart, a former Ramstein player, enters her fifth year as an assistant.
They inherit a squad bursting with talent that should have Ramstein in the running for its fourth D-I title on the spin.
It starts with junior pitcher Kelsey Moya. Stars and Stripes’ 2025 softball Athlete of the Year joined the team midseason and held opponents to a .187 batting average while striking out 98 over 59 innings.
The junior pitcher was named tournament MVP and first-team All-Europe.
Other returners are senior outfielder Sanai Schneider, senior catcher Ilana Johnson, junior outfielder Makayla Pena, sophomore third baseman Noelle Murphy, sophomore first baseman Aurora Lewis and sophomore Inara Johnson.
The Royals are blessed with talented newcomers, according to their coaches.
Chief among them is junior Adysen Johnston. The junior transfer from Vicenza shone behind the plate, earning first-team All-European honors.
Ramstein could have an embarrassment of riches in the circle with a pair of promising freshmen in Delilah Dees and Kendall Randolph. Dees is small but mighty and can play anywhere, while Randolph will be “fun to watch over the next four years,” her coaches said.
Senior Adalynn Moya returns to the sport after a multi-year hiatus, and she should see time in the outfield. Fellow senior Olivia Neely is new to the school and is expected to be a key contributor as a utility player.
Freshman Emalie Edwards could see time at catcher but has enough athleticism to line up elsewhere on the field. The Royals still are trying to find the right position for sophomore utility player Mariah Redmond’s athleticism.
Sophomore Sariah McNeal and freshman Samara Nelson are softball rookies.
Coach Kate Maxson described the 2026 season as promising despite having a young squad.
Leading the Spartans are six returners in juniors Stella Green (second baseman/pitcher), Laila Ioane (outfielder/catcher/first baseman) and Nela Prochazkova and sophomores Doga Mert (outfielder/shortstop), Abilynn Underwood (pitcher/second baseman) and Kaja Vidic (catcher/third baseman).
Nine players – senior Dyla Hurd (first baseman/outfielder); juniors Emma Heyden (outfielder/first baseman), Brynn Matheson (third baseman/outfielder) and Taegan Muller (let infielder); sophomore Neven Tolliver (second baseman/outfielder); and freshmen London Hamilton (pitcher/outfielder), Grace Meidinger (left infielder), Valeria Metodieva (pitcher/shortstop) and Vasi Stuhlmiller (catcher/second baseman) – have joined the SHAPE roster.
The Warriors have just one starter and five other veterans back from last year’s fourth-place squad.
Yet second-year coach Cody Clinton said he’s excited about what’s in store for the Wiesbaden team this spring.
Division II/III
The Dragons may be hard pressed to repeat a run to the title game like a year ago.
Coach Duke Eidt’s team lost many of its key cogs to graduation. That means Alconbury will be in rebuilding mode.
A trio of seniors – center fielder Jamie Coenen, second baseman Ana Alejandro-Diez and right fielder Kylie Henson – and a duo of juniors – first baseman/pitcher Naomi Little and second baseman Meredith Rochefort – give the Dragons some experienced hands.
Newcomers are seniors Elizabeth Schroeder and Aspen Williams; juniors Sarah Dubiel and Adriana Alejandro-Diez; and freshmen Lyla Adams, Aurelia Cooper-Mestler, Reece Teston, Evie Cumming and Elizabeth Gain.
Coaches Nicole Harden and Moriah Barthold expressed optimism that the Saints will have more of an impact on the diamonds across Europe this season after some struggles a year ago.
Three veteran utility players give Aviano some flexibility. Senior Jae Lianny Rodriguez likely will spend much of her time behind the plate, while senior Kaylee Gillispie and junior Michal Barthold could line up anywhere.
Sophomore Alivia Adams will see time at pitcher and shortstop.
The Tigers continue to grow in their fifth campaign under coach Stephanie Schnabel, with 19 players on the roster.
Eight of those 19 are veterans. Seniors Chloe Detar, Rihanna Quinones and Lana Tatum, junior Emily Burnside and sophomore Natalia Hefflefinger bring back their experience in the outfield.
Seniors Brooklyn Clark and Tyleigh Shamoon and junior Evie Chernock expect to see time in the infield.
The Wildcats were dethroned last spring, and they will be hoping a veteran squad with new coach Kristine Rostance can lead them back to the top.
Seven Naples players are back, including Emily Anderson. The senior earned all-tournament honors a year ago.
Fellow seniors Maggie Solomon and Chloe Williams bring their experience to the roster, while juniors Claire Olsen and Juliana Innocenti round out the veteran upperclassmen.
Sophomores Carlyn Walker and Savannah Ingram played last spring as well.
Seniors Alexandrea Bordley and Rita Harroum and freshmen Isabella Goodman, Raegyan Rygh, Illyana Ruano and Reagan Riley have joined the Wildcats this campaign.
Coaches Sheena Haber and Danielle Gayhart said the Admirals are ready to embrace a challenging season and finish strongly at Euros.
The mentors pointed to strong defense as being the key, with a solid infield and quick outfielders.
Also, they boast strong camaraderie, with eight returners from last year on the squad this spring.
Senior Jada Jaindl and Aliana Haber; juniors Ava Gayheart, Nasrine Hamani and Natalie Phillips; and sophomores Jessica Boer, Taylor Brochansky and Mallory Lyons have returned.
Joining them are senior Alana Cleary; juniors Gracey Graham and Keniya Belfon; sophomores Hayde Halleck, Anabella Money and Natalie Phillips; and freshman Olivia Gonzalez and Ayana Cabral.
The Jaguars could make a deep run at Euros this spring.
Senior Nyeema Fernandez likely will pace Sigonella after being named to the Divisions II/III 2025 all-tournament team.
Others are senior Addison Steele; juniors Briar Love, Vina Dimapilis and Alysia Dobbins; sophomore catcher Terra Love; and sophomores Kaytlin Stang and Izzy Ortiz.
Newcomers who are expected to play a role this spring are junior Evelyn Arnold, sophomore Avy Tesfay and freshmen Gracie Wiess, Moriah Hoyt and Malwina Soja.
Coach Jillian Besemer admitted the 2025 campaign wasn’t the program’s best.
But the Sentinels anticipate this spring to be much different with a group of veterans who have grown in their skills over the offseason mixed with some talented newcomers.
Battery mates Madie Roe and Mia Watts learned a lot during their freshman year prior to taking over in the circle and behind the plate late in the season, respectively.
Spangdahlem’s other returners fill out the outfield – Vivienne Saville, Natalie Tanner and Charlotte Walters.
Freshmen Isabella Ashley, Reagan Manz and Cami Swartz and sophomore Bellah Sanchez have experience prior to joining the Spangdahlem roster.
Other newcomers are Samantha Bestoguey, Alexis Farmakis, Laila Grover, Clarrisa Loeske, Jaelynn Reed and freshmen Lauren Mancuso, Bella Nunez and Brielle Mendiola.
The Cougars ended an 11-year trophy drought a year ago without a single senior on the roster.
This has coach Osvaldo Garcia Carrillo’s squad thinking a repeat is theirs for the taking.
Four 4-year seniors are expected to lead the way. That group starts with co-captains Rielyn Casper, Hannah Findlay and Katherine Green. Casper, a pitcher, was a second-team All-Europe selection, as was Green, an infielder, and Nala Herron, an outfielder.
Findlay, a shortstop, earned first-team All-Europe honors.
Juniors Jayden Stokes (first baseman), Peyton Atkinson (utility), Ceilia Owens (infielder), Junesy Belanger (utility) and Kayden Parmelee (designated hitter); and sophomores Isabell Green (catcher) and Megan Becker (outfielder) are back for the Cougars.
Freshman Bianka Dube could have an impact on Vicenza.
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