The road to their fourth championship title started out well for Ramstein Rams at the 22nd Annual Yardbuster Softball Tournament held this past Memorial Day weekend at the Kaiserslautern Army Depot Complex.
They shut out Heidelberg Generals, 14-0, in their first game of the tournament Friday, and in Saturday’s game, they easily defeated Kitzingen Rattlers, 19-5.
Day three of the double-elimination tournament started the upset. Rams lost to Spangdahelm Barons, 18-11, but they came back that Sunday and eliminated the hometown team, Kaiserslautern Panthers, 19-7.
The upset was complete on Championship Monday when they lost to Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe Outlaws, 18-7.
“We didn’t hit. That was it. We didn’t hit the ball,” Rams Assistant Coach Jurgen McRight. “Our defense was good, but they hit the ball and we didn’t. That was the end of the game.”
Rams had to settle for the third place title, while the Barons took their place as champions. Outlaws were the Yardbuster runner up.
Rams’ Chris Markey and Chris Barks were selected for the All Tournament Team.
Kaiserslautern Panthers started their house tournament with a loss to Sembach Tigers, 11-10, Friday.
“We tied the game twice, and it was 10-10 at the bottom of the seventh, and then they scored the winning run,” said Panthers Coach Tony Jones.
Saturday was a busy day for the Panthers as they eliminated the Generals, 9-4, and Mannheim’s Mustangs, 11-7. Then, they were knocked out of the tournament by the Rams.