It’s spring already, at least for DODEA-Pacific sports

MARINE CORPS AIR STATION IWAKUNI, Japan – Wrestling season didn’t end the way Maia Minton wanted, losing in the 118-pound final of last month’s first Far East tournament for girls.

So, Minton has turned her attention to softball – and the Matthew C. Perry junior pitcher-outfielder got off to a flying start over the weekend in her quest to secure a championship, instead of coming up just short.

“I’m so angry,” said Minton, a candid, frank sort of person who is quite given to speaking her mind. “I wanted to be the best (in wrestling), but I wasn’t the best, so I want to be the best here.”

Minton most certainly did plenty of talking with her bat and feet in four games this weekend, going a combined 9-for-13 with two doubles, three triples, a home run, 12 RBIs and 10 stolen bases.

The Samurai went 3-1 on the weekend and as a group, they are hoping to take the last step toward what’s been an elusive Far East Division II Tournament title. Perry reached and lost in the final two of the last three years and took third place in 2024.

“I’m hungry. Very hungry,” Minton said. “I won’t tolerate any mistakes, even my own.”

While the past few Japan spring seasons have seen repeat champions in various sports, the help-wanted shingle can be found outside coaches offices far and wide throughout the district.

Spring season began just two weeks after basketball and wrestling concluded, with snow still on the ground at Misawa, forcing Robert D. Edgren’s teams to practice indoors, and biting cold elsewhere.

Far East tournaments on the diamonds are slated for April 22-25 and soccer starting the next Monday, running for three days.

Softball

After winning the last three D-II tournament titles, Yokota is pretty much starting over, with only second baseman Gracie Kenney, who batted .603 in 2025, returning from last season’s starting lineup.

The rest of the roster features mostly first-year players, coach Steven Cruz said. “Our focus will be on development, fundamentals and establishing a new core of players who can grow together,” Cruz said. “We’ll likely take some early lumps as we adjust, but we should become more competitive as the season progresses.

Another team that got out of the blocks quickly was Zama. Seniors Sofia Olson and Evangeline Nelson plus junior right-hander Kira Herring return. They opened with a 16-4 win Friday at Nile C. Kinnick.

The Trojans also welcome some underclassmen who have matriculated in the base’s youth softball program.

“We expect some big things from our freshman class,” assistant coach Parish Jones said, adding that with Yokota losing most of its big guns, “the pressure is off everybody else. They have some big shoes to fill.”

E.J. King is also counting on a core of veterans, in particular junior infielders Kaia Ties and Nanami Crump. Senior Mila Nishimura-Reed returns as the staff ace. Juniors Eliana Lachica and Katelyn Rheaume and sophomore Miya Benavente are in their second seasons as Cobras.

Robert D. Edgren went 2-1 on the weekend at Iwakuni. The Eagles welcome back three core seniors – Teniya Nelson, Summer Martinez and Keira Marrero – and bring in transfer infielder Aubrey Francois from Zama. Junior Kaiya Pasion helps anchor the outfield.

The district’s lone Division I team, Kinnick, is senior laden, with Red Devil veteran infielders Isabella Marhetti, Teora Miyashiro, Emily Kitts, Isabelle Hernandez and Carell Zaraga returning. Sydnee Walker returns behind the plate. Maryland transfer pitcher Lillie Gyorkas is also a senior.

Baseball

Once in a while, a transfer ends up facing his old team right off the bat at the start of the following season.

That was the case with Taisei Shimakura, a junior right-hander who went to Iwakuni schools most of his life until he and his family moved from Perry to Sasebo Naval Base, where he has donned E.J. King red, white and black. In his season debut, he lost 3-2 to his old Samurai.

“It was pretty hard,” Shimakura said. “I never thought I’d ever play against people whom I went to elementary school with. It was definitely different. I gave up some walks I shouldn’t have.”

His old teammate, Aira Fujinuma, a senior lefthander, returns to the Samurai along with senior outfielder Hiyoshi Oliver and juniors Akiro Hiromoto and Dylan DeGuzman, among others.

“We had to take control early” against Shimakura, Fujinuma said. “If he took control, it would definitely be hard for us to beat him.”

King’s staff is anchored by three-year veteran Jayden Arocho, a junior, along with junior catcher David Armstrong. Sophomore Musashi Niitani enters as a pitcher and infielder on a team that has no seniors.

Shimakura and his sophomore brother Kosei come in along with freshmen Michael and Andrew Doomer. “It looks promising for the future, if we can keep them,” Cobras coach Matthew Carl said.

Can Zama make it four consecutive D-II titles? The Trojans weren’t expected to make it three a season ago when most of the roster turned over, but coach Lawrence Ungar sounded hopeful of a roster featuring sophomores Spencer Hughes and Brody Kuchera and senior Toro McClendon. Shortstop Adrian Fredericks moves in from Cincinnati.

Edgren, whom the Trojans beat in last year’s D-II final, is always a work in progress due to practicing indoors. But a roster heavy in underclass players including Liam McDonald and Charles Richardson has what coach Brett Lehner calls “the pieces to be successful.” Seniors Ethan Wong and Haruki Jones also return.

Yokota’s roster endured some turnover, but coach Barry Oxendine returns a group of eight players with at least two years experience, plus stateside transfer pitcher Thomas Martin. Infielder Mark Segura and pitcher Takumi Iwazaki-Chung are in their third seasons.

Longtime Red Devils coach Chad Stark brings in a member of his family, freshman Bunsei Stark, to join another freshman, pitcher Kaiden Conley, and returning seniors Dale McNamara - a submarining left-hander - and catcher Noah Berhow and infielder Keanu Serban.

Boys soccer

Another team that’s starting over is defending D-II champion E.J. King, which lost All-Far East players Damian Perez and Amin Alipourkashki. Third-year senior Rafael Beccerill and junior midfielder Elijah Rene are back along with senior Gabe Leak and sophomore Daniel Leak.

But the learning curve could be steep. Mitzi Andrew takes over as coach.

In what he says is his final season, Mark Lange is hopeful that his Samurai can capture their “seventh star,” or their seventh D-II title. Perry has plenty of firepower returning in seniors Ren Spinosi and Jaley Cooley and junior Noah Charles.

“It’s been awhile” since Perry won a D-II championship, Lange said; its last one was 10 years ago. “I want to go out on a good note.”

Regarding his team’s best player, senior striker Koboyo Awesso, Kinnick coach Tim Rippeth said “every team is going to put two (players) on him.” A small but experienced core of veterans returns for the Red Devils, including Esteban Diaz and Elias Venetsanakos.

Junior twins Aidan and Luke Lehner help anchor a young Edgren squad. The Eagles got some help off the transfer plane in freshman Lee Culala from the States and Jayden de Asis from Perry. Senior Ethan Young returns at goalkeeper. Brian Johnson is the fourth coach in four years.

The PCS Plane also benefitted Zama, which got freshman Eugene Han in from Texas. The Trojans are a young group, with sophomores Adrian Venable Jr., Conner McCale and Syan Phillips, freshman Sean Grady and junior keeper Joseph Stroud.

Yokota hopes to rebound and return to the D-II final, which the Panthers lost in 2024. Senior Ethan Horne returns in net, while juniors Liam Kirby, Luke Harbert, Aiden Stedelin, Ryunosuke Roesch and Kysiem Banks are also back. David Horne and Fred Riley are the new coaches.

Girls soccer

Winding up the procession of reigning Far East D-II champions hit hard by transfers is Perry’s girls, which lost 116 total goals either to the PCS Plane or graduation. George “Tige” Tarleton is back as coach for the first time in eight years.

Poised to rise is a Zama team returning Hunter sisters Bella and Jessie, who scored 17 goals each last season. Charlotte Callicott, a senior, moves in from Hawaii. But the big question is in net; three-year starter Keisha Steele-Loli graduated. Zama is trying sophomore Mia Fulton and senior Samantha “Skully” Kouzu-Ballard in goal.

King could also contend in the D-II ranks. The Cobras are junior heavy, with striker Aniah Little and defender Ai Kina anchoring center spots. Sophomore Shanell Reyes Hernandez can score. Senior Eileen McKown is being tried in net.

Some are saying for Kinnick, it’s now or never, as the Red Devils’ top players are mostly seniors – Alyssa Staples, Victoria Justice, Valentina Sacca and Rachael Vite combined for 76 goals last season. Senior Julia Blackwell returns on defense for a Kinnick team that’s just missed the last few years.

The PCS Plane gifted Yokota a junior from Texas, Giselle Estrada. She joins a Panthers unit with sophomore Maddison Michaud new in the net and seniors Giselle Pinard and Cami Cort back at midfield. Sophomore Angela Velez-Soto also helps anchor the middle.

Edgren has its third coach in three seasons, Robbie Riddle. The Eagles return seniors Saige Whitmore and Nadiah Miller on defense, Kaleiana Alonzo up front and junior Danni Waldo in net. Edgren’s top scoring option is Reise Redmond, who had eight goals last season.

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