Izzy Ortiz pitching at the mound for Sigonella’s Jaguars during an away match against Alconbury, March 21, 2026. Ortiz and Fernandez had three hits each for Sigonella in the first game to generate much of the team’s offense. (Loretto Morris/Stars and Stripes)
RAF ALCONBURY, England – Starting a season with a rebuilt team is never easy, and Alconbury’s performance against Sigonella a few games three games in is a testament why.
The Dragons fell 13-10 in a close first game before the Jaguars made more adjustments on both offense and defense in a definitive 17-6 victory in the second game.
Sigonella coach Cheri Gildea said her team is beginning to grasp the intricacies of the sport and got outs when it needed to Saturday.
The Jaguars retired the Dragons “three up, three down” in the fifth inning of the first game. Sigonella had scored four times in the top of the inning to reclaim the lead after Alconbury tallied four runs in the bottom of the fourth to go ahead 10-9.
Four of those runs came thanks to a grand slam from Alconbury senior Aspen Williams, who had both of her team’s hits in the contest.
“[Aspen] had some injuries and wasn’t able to come back for a while, so to come back and score a grand slam was awesome,” Alconbury captain Jamie Gonan said.
Sigonella’s Briar Love swings at the softball during a game against Alconbury, March 21, 2026. (Loretto Morris/Stars and Stripes)
Sigonella Jaguar softball team captain and senior Nyema Fernandez gears up to hit the softball during an away game at Alconbury, March 21, 2026. (Loretto Morris/Stars and Stripes)
Sigonella cheers sophomore Terra Love on as she gets ready to bat at a game against Alconbury, March 21, 2026. (Loretto Morris/Stars and Stripes)
With 34 total walks between both games, the bases were crowded for much of the day.
Still, Sigonella captains Tara Love and Niema Fernandez of Sigonella’s Jaguars said the Jaguars still have room to improve with their bats and other aspects of the game.
Gildea put the spotlight on Izzy Ortiz’s pitching in the second game when she gave up only one hit.
Ortiz and Fernandez had three hits each for Sigonella in the first game to generate much of the team’s offense.
Dragons coach Duke Eidt said he was pleased with his team’s aggressiveness at the plate, but gave credit to the Jaguars for coming up with big hits when they needed them.
Both teams take the next two weekends off during DODEA-Europe’s spring break. Alconbury will then host Spangdahlem while Sigonella travels to Rota.
