Girl’s High School softball wins second place

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Tiffany Colburn
  • 39th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
INCIRLIK AIR BASE, Turkey --  The Incirlik American School girl's softball team recently took home the second place trophy in the European Small Schools Fastpitch Softball Tournament.

Thirteen players and two coaches represented Team Incirlik at Ramstein, Germany, May 16 through 20 for the school's fourth trip to the tournament. This is the third IAS team to reach the finals of a European Championship.

"This is the highest finish ever for an Incirlik Softball team ... we won all three games in our Round Robin," said John Drake, Incirlik's fastpitch softball team coach. "We beat Rota, Spain, 12-11 ... London Central, 8-7, and Alconbury, England, 21-7 ... we then lost in a rematch with Rota for the Championship, 4-15."

"I would say that despite the fact that we don't have a regular season or league to play in, this was a remarkable achievement ... all of the other teams we played had previously played against each other and additional teams as well," said Mr. Drake.

The team was led by senior pitcher Kary Reineke, junior pitcher Amanda Bowers, and junior shortstop Angel Bright.

"It was a great experience ... my last trip to the European's and to make it to the championship game was a great thrill," said Reineke.

Four IAS players made the All-Tournament team; pitcher and catcher Reineke, pitcher and first baseman Bowers, short stop Bright, and senior outfield Cedall LaClair.

"We have over half our team returning next year, so the future is bright for Incirlik softball," said Mr. Drake.