Hohenfels’ Cully Jordan races toward first after hitting a ball toward the pitcher in a game in Ramstein Air Base, Germany, during the first day of the 2024 DODEA European baseball championships. (J.P. Lawrence/Stars and Stripes)

RAMSTEIN AIR BASE, Germany – Blowouts abounded on the first day of the 2024 DODEA European baseball championships, with powerhouse teams putting up big offensive numbers.

The Stuttgart Panthers and Ramstein Royals both went 2-0 Wednesday and will be the first and second seeds respectively for the Division I single-elimination finals on Thursday.

The Naples Wildcats and the Aviano Saints also went undefeated and will be the first and second seeds for the Division II/III finals.

The Panthers and the Wildcats will receive welcome first-round byes, rewards that came due to winning tiebreakers.

The pursuit of these tiebreakers led stronger teams to try to get as many runs as they could over the course of eight games played at Ramstein, four at Pulaski Barracks, and two at Wiesbaden.

In a harbinger of what was to come, the Vicenza Cougars started off the day with an 11-1 victory over the Spangdahlem Sentinels. The game’s second frame lasted so long that Vicenza’s Isaac Leon was hit by two different pitchers in one inning.

The top seeds galloped across the bases with impunity. Multiple teams racked up 15 or more steals a game, with Naples swiping 17 bases in the day’s third game. The aggressive baserunning often rattled young pitchers and led to balks and passed balls.

Ramstein won its two games by 15-0 and 14-3 scores.

Defending champion Stuttgart overpowered its opponents Lakenheath (14-1) and SHAPE (22-8).

Ramstein got the second seed when run differential was compiled. Teams don’t get credit for more than a 13-run differential.

Stuttgart’s coach Drake Marbury said the match against SHAPE, which included giving up a grand slam after the game was well in hand, was not the team’s best performance.

“We’re just going to look at our mistakes and make corrections,” Marbury said.

SHAPE’s Will Bush, who hit the grand slam against Stuttgart, said his team’s spirited rally down big inspires confidence despite two losses Wednesday.

“Everyone should feel absolutely amazing about this game, excellent job from everybody,” Bush said to his teammates in the dugout after the game.

Naples pitcher Ella Grace throws during a 2024 DODEA European baseball tournament game against Spangdahlem on May 22, 2024, at Southside Fitness Center on Ramstein Air Base, Germany. (J.P. Lawrence/Stars and Stripes)

Stuttgart pitcher Hayden Foley jumps into the air after hitting a home run in a 22-8 victory over SHAPE during a 2024 DODEA European baseball championship game against Spangdahlem on May 22, 2024, at Southside Fitness Center on Ramstein Air Base, Germany. (J.P. Lawrence/Stars and Stripes)

Spangdahlem catcher Casey Supinger encourages pitcher Mason Dearing during a rough stretch during a 14-0 loss to Naples during a 2024 DODEA European baseball championship game against Spangdahlem on May 22, 2024, at Southside Fitness Center on Ramstein Air Base, Germany. (J.P. Lawrence/Stars and Stripes)

Aviano's Michael Borchansky throws during a 2024 DODEA European baseball championship game against Spangdahlem on May 22, 2024, at Southside Fitness Center on Ramstein Air Base, Germany. (J.P. Lawrence/Stars and Stripes)

SHAPE’s Will Bush watches the ball after hitting a grand slam against Stuttgart during a 2024 DODEA European baseball championship game on May 22, 2024, at Southside Fitness Center on Ramstein Air Base, Germany. (J.P. Lawrence/Stars and Stripes)

SHAPE’s Ethan Simmons sprints past Stuttgart catcher Declan Mack to score in the first inning of a 2024 DODEA European baseball championship game on May 22, 2024, at Southside Fitness Center on Ramstein Air Base, Germany. (J.P. Lawrence/Stars and Stripes)