The two divisions in the DODEA European softball scene couldn’t have more different outlooks heading into the 2024 campaign.

In Division I, defending champion Ramstein will try to run it back with many of the same players, including a pair of first-team All-European selections.

The Division II/III championships, meanwhile, do not have a clear favorite. Last year’s champion, Naples, enters this spring with an almost entirely new roster, leaving the door open for teams like last year’s runner-up Vicenza and up-and-comers Spangdahlem and Rota to get into the mix.

All will be decided when the schools meet in the Kaiserslautern Military Community on May 22-24.

Here’s a team-by-team breakdown based off responses by coaches:

Kaiserslautern

A season that began with such promise petered out in 2023. The Raiders won their first 14 games before losing in the regular season’s final weekend, and they then dropped the semifinal and third-place games to finish fourth despite a 17-3 record.

Numerous top players graduated, but the 2024 roster brings back a solid nucleus and has added enough to contend once again, according to coach Zac Robinson.

Among the key returners is pitcher/shortstop Bevanie Cleark. The senior earned first-team All-European honors after winning 11 games in the circle in 2023. Another key piece is shortstop/third baseman Selam Foery.

Other veterans include Mariska Campbell, Jelayra Taylor, Giada Taylor, Loren Martin, Layla Cole, Bella Neighbarger, Katelynn McEntee and Niyah Reed.

Robinson called a trio of players – freshman Ally Monroe and the Garcia sisters, sophomore Alissia and freshman Amanda – significant additions.

Naples

Coach Amy Driscoll has a rebuild on her hands after winning her second European championship in charge of Naples.

Only two Wildcats are back. Senior Lucy Black, who played third base and outfield last year, will try catching this spring. Sophomore Madisun Myers, an outfielder in 2023, will get some repetitions at first base.

The only pitcher with any experience on the roster is Ariana Lopez – and that experience is not at the high school level. Driscoll said the freshman’s talent is a “great” addition to the team.

Overall, the coach said she is looking forward to watching the players grow as a team throughout the season.

Ramstein

Expectations always are high with Ramstein softball. It tends to be that way when the program reaches the title game all but two years since 1999 – even if last spring’s title win was the Royals’ first since 2017.

With the firepower coming back, coach Kent Enyeart won’t drop those expectations. In fact, it’s championship defense or bust again.

Star pitcher Madison Mihalic leads the Royals’ veteran contingent. The senior pitcher/first baseman powered the Royals in the circle, including the title-game victory, and was named to the All-Europe first team.

Also returning are first-team All-European selection Madalyn Young (catcher/infielder), Jazmyn Hall (pitcher/infielder), Emma Stone (pitcher/infielder), Marina Martin (catcher/infielder), Parker Ingram (pitcher/outfielder), Isabella Chambers (catcher/outfielder), Arianna Chambers (pitcher/infielder), Emerson Moriarty (center/outfielder), Emma Inthavixay (outfielder) and Ilana Johnson (catcher/outfielder).

Newcomers expected to make an impact are Ania Edwards (infielder), Charlotte Rhyne (infielder), Sanai Schneider (outfielder), Aspen Lindsey (utility player), Claritza Rosario (outfielder), Amira Bernard (infielder) and Amayah Payton (outfielder).

Rota

The Admirals took their lumps in 2023, but coach Leslie Samuelson said she and her players are hoping the seeds planted last year will bloom this spring.

Eleven players are back from the team that went 2-6 and finished fifth in Divisions II/III. It begins with a quintet of seniors in third baseman Elsie Bond, pitcher Mady Orlowski, first baseman Alana Geylani, outfielder Emmy Lamb and second baseman Ilyssa Hagood.

Junior Becca Owins will line up behind the plate, while fellow junior Aven Dalton will man an outfield spot. Sophomores Chloe Tailleur (outfielder), Jada Jandl (pitcher) and Asia Mascarenas (outfielder) round out the returners.

The newcomers – sophomores Taylor Zimmerman (shortstop/catcher), Addison Kryger (second baseman/pitcher) and Maya Petty (outfielder) and freshmen Audrey Redwine (catcher) and Rachel Orlowski (outfielder) – bring some “explosive talent” to the squad, according to their coach.

SHAPE

Last spring wasn’t kind to the Spartans, but they are under new management with coach Kate Maxson taking charge.

And she has a bright outlook for 2024.

Nine players are back for SHAPE. Just two of them are seniors: second baseman/outfielder Lia Lemponen and outfielder Kayla Mckinney. But the team has a large junior contingent with outfielder/second baseman Asia Curtis, pitcher/second baseman Paula Knapp, pitcher Olivia McLeod, corner infielder Bella Smith, catcher/shortstop Lily Tjeltveit and first baseman/shortstop Lucy Vedra.

Sophomore Bailee Kautz (outfielder/catcher) rounds out the returners.

Junior Juliette Laforest joins the team and will play outfield, while sophomore Colie Meyer can line up at third and second base. Maddie Hansen (pitcher/catcher), Laila Ioane (first baseman/outfielder) and Emory Teta (shortstop) enter as freshmen.

Sigonella

The Jaguars have a pair of third-place finishes the past two seasons, but to match or improve that performance, they will have to do so with an almost entirely new squad.

While seven were on the roster last spring, just three of them played on a regular basis. Senior Aalan Wilson will play shortstop, third base and catcher; junior Alexandra Quintanilla will man the circle and center field; and sophomore Nyeema Fernandez will see time at third base, shortstop and outfield.

Others coming back are senior Juliane Signorello (pitcher/outfielder), juniors Alice Lefringhouse (first baseman) and Katie Balbo (second baseman) and sophomore Addison Stelle.

New to the team are senior Vivian Ricciardi, sophomores Victoria Day and Arianna Duron and freshman Alysia Dobbins.

Spangdahlem

The Sentinels finished last campaign at .500, and they are looking for more this year.

Spangdahlem returns nine players from 2023 – center fielder/shortstop Sandrine Bennett, right fielder/second baseman Isabel Garver, left fielder/first baseman Bailee Haffner, catcher Alajah Jiggetts, center fielder/pitcher Talyssa Link, pitcher/catcher/third baseman Riley Lombardo, third baseman Kaleigh Lucas, pitcher/shortstop Sara Paulk and center fielder Adriana Tijerina.

Of the newcomers, Allie Adkins has experience playing elite travel ball and will line up at first base and catcher. Salma Stevenson (second base), Amaya Jalomo (right field) and Kaylee Lauer (shortstop and left field) also joined the team.

Vicenza

The Cougars had a challenging 2023, winning just one game during the regular season before making a surprising run to the Divisions II/III title game.

New coach Osvaldo Garcia Carrillo said he believes they are poised to continue that postseason form in 2024.

Isabella Espersen is entering her fourth year as a starter behind the plate and third base, and Garcia Carrillo said she has a strong arm and consistent bat. Sophomores Hannah Findlay (middle infield), Katherine Green (pitcher/outfield) and Rielynn Casper (pitcher/first base/outfield) are back, and junior Brianne Horner (outside/third base) adds depth to the defense.

Sophomore outfielders Ava Hansen and Nala Herron bring their strong bats, while senior utility player Angela Stephenson adds pop to the lineup.

The Cougars will get a boost from a talented freshman group. Adysen Johnston, a utility player who participated in competitive travel ball in the States, is expected to be the cornerstone of the offense. Jayden Stokes (first base/outfield), Avia Woodward (infield), Cecilia Owens (infield) and Peyton Atkinson (utility) are eager to contribute.

Vilseck

The Falcons lost their top four hitters to graduation and PCS, but new additions and the rest of the returning cast has second-year coach Cathleen Burgess hopeful for 2024.

Senior outfielder Ryen Arguello, junior third baseman Julissa Neal, junior outfielders Aundrea Lloyd and Liliana Johnson and sophomore second baseman Ava Bentley are back. Sophomore left fielder Mariana DeJesus will be PCSing in April.

Joining the squad this spring are senior Emily Burgess; juniors Alisia Andrew, Heather Ayin, Zoe Crawford, Noemi Rosario and Krystina Simms; sophomores Hailey Ayin and Natalie Ingram; and freshmen Reagan Arguello, Lily Estrade and Katelynn McMillan.

Wiesbaden

Change is the theme for the Warriors one year after falling just one run short of winning a Division I European championship.

Gone are ace Lyndsey Urick and coach Jennifer Yalden and in steps Dougie Globke. The new chief is hoping to grow the players’ love of the sport – and winning would be a bonus.

Wiesbaden will get veteran presence from outfielder Kayla Pham, first baseman Jeanice Smith, catcher Delaney Hodges, infielder London Howell, second baseman Roni Massey and center fielder Valerie Fisher.

New to the team are seniors Anna Caito, Lyndsay Molloy and Emily Wiggins; juniors Lyann Cortes, Kyra Cole, Imani Coley, Cydnee Lassiter, Nicole Suh and Evelyn Traugutt; sophomore Katherine Mayfield; and freshmen Lena Coleman, Catherine Mellon, Paige Welch and Kylie Hooser.

related stories

• 2024 DODEA-Europe softball schedule