Girls’ softball team makes playoffs

Lt. Col. Lisa Miller
Contributing writer


***image1***The KMC Majors Girl’s All-Star Fast pitch team defeated the team from Stuttgart to advance to the Little League World Series, June 18 and Saturday in the European Regional Championship in Kutno, Poland.
Winning the best two out of three games qualified the team to represent Germany in this year’s Regional Championship.
The KMC Girls took the first game by a score of 13-7. A total team effort made the difference in holding the potentially explosive Stuttgart team to seven runs in a game that was closer than the final score indicated.
Late in the game, back-to-back triples by Amanda Davis and Kristan Burns added four runs and solidified the lead.
An outstanding defensive effort by catcher, Sara Slabbekorn, saved several runners from scoring and resulted in two runners being thrown out at the plate.
The game ended with an exciting double play started by pitcher, Lindsey Jones catching a hot, come-back, line drive. Lindsey then tossed the ball to first baseman, Kristan Burns to complete the double play and end the game.
Game two was Saturday afternoon and the KMC girls clinched the title with a 23 – 13 victory to take the best of three series, 2-0.
Once again, the final score was not indicative of the nip and tuck battle that occurred.
Stuttgart pulled out to an early 4-0 lead, but the girls from Ramstein responded by scoring 14 unanswered runs to take a 14-4 lead.
In the top of the 4th, the bats from Stuttgart awakened and closed the gap to 14-13.
The team from KMC responded by scoring five runs in the bottom of the 4th inning, to take a 19 – 13 lead.
Relief pitcher, Kristan Burns came in and shut the door on Stuttgart in the 5th inning, preserving the 6-run lead.
KMC was able to pull away in the bottom of the 5th with a barrage of hits, led by Jasmine Dell and a triple by Michaela Carlson.
“A total team effort led to our victories. Every girl on this team did their part and came through when we needed it,” said coach Chris Arnold.
With the win, the KMC Majors All-Star Girls Softball team heads to Poland to play in the Little League European Regional Tournament July 1 to 8 in Kutno, Poland.
The team members are Vanessa Apodaca, Bryanna Arnold, Chelsi Brown, Kristan Burns, Michaela Carlson, Amanda Davis, Jasmine Dell, Kaitlin Hines, Lindsey Jones, Brianna Serrano, Sara Stabbekoom, Megan Stubblefield, and Taylor Young. The coaches are Steve Burns, Chitana Burns, and Chris Arnold.