Naples, Rota Baseball Teams Seek Steady Improvement Before Championships

Four-time defending champion Wildcats and young Admirals squad focus on player development ahead of season finale.

Apr. 18, 2026 at 7:34pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A cubist, geometric painting depicting a baseball game, with overlapping planes of navy, green, and orange conveying the dynamic action and competitive spirit of the sport.The DODEA-Europe baseball championships will test the development and teamwork of young squads like Naples and Rota as they aim to compete for the title.Naples Today

The Naples Wildcats and Rota Admirals split a DODEA-Europe Division II baseball doubleheader on Saturday, with Naples winning the first game 13-8 and the teams tying 15-15 in the second. While the results were mixed, both coaches emphasized the importance of player development and steady improvement as their young squads prepare for the upcoming championships.

Why it matters

The DODEA-Europe baseball championships are the culmination of the spring season, and these two teams are looking to build momentum and experience for their players ahead of the big event. Naples is the four-time defending champion, but this year's squad is relatively inexperienced, while Rota is a young team working to reduce mistakes and surprise opponents.

The details

In the first game, Naples' senior pitcher David Manus had a strong outing, tossing three innings of no-hit ball. The Wildcats won 13-8 with nine hits. In the second game, the Admirals bounced back from a rough first game to earn a 15-15 tie, showcasing the grit of the young Rota squad. Rota sophomore Jonathan Valenzuela, the team's pitcher and shortstop, was eager to test his arm after a shoulder injury earlier in the season.

  • The DODEA-Europe baseball championships will take place in Germany later this season.

The players

Jayden Ferguson

Wildcats shortstop.

Jeramiah Robinson

Pitcher for the Naples Wildcats.

Jonathan Valenzuela

Pitcher and shortstop for the Rota Admirals.

David Manus

Senior pitcher and four-year starter for the Naples Wildcats.

Ryan Hernandez

16-year-old sophomore centerfielder for the Naples Wildcats.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“'They never stop. They never quit.'”

— Luis Dominguez, Rota Admirals coach

“'Every game there has been less and less mistakes. I think as we move forward, we're going to surprise some people when we get to (the championships in) Germany.'”

— Luis Dominguez, Rota Admirals coach

“'The big key is to make sure that we get enough experience in each one of our players during the game. We're not going to just do it if we're up, we're going to do it if we're down … Those players have to be able to play in every situation.'”

— Christopher Storey, Naples Wildcats coach

“'We really care about these wins and any little mistakes we do, we keep in mind. The next play matters.'”

— Ryan Hernandez, Naples Wildcats centerfielder

What’s next

The DODEA-Europe baseball championships will take place in Germany later this season, where both Naples and Rota will look to continue their steady improvement and compete for the title.

The takeaway

Despite the mixed results on the field, the Naples Wildcats and Rota Admirals are focused on player development and building experience for their young squads ahead of the DODEA-Europe baseball championships. Both teams are emphasizing steady progress over the course of the season rather than just aiming for wins, which should pay dividends when the big tournament arrives.