Tom Kennedy will tell you that having more than 20 seasons of combined varsity softball experience was a big key to Greene County’s 5-1 victory on Wednesday in Des Moines vs. third ranked and previously undefeated Saydel. The battery of pitcher Emma Hoyle and catcher Emma Stream are five year starters. Both had doubles that produced runs off the outfield fence vs. All-State pitcher Dakota Lake. Center fielder Olivia Shannon made a catch that Kennedy called maybe the best he’s ever seen to deny the Eagles a lead off extra base hit to begin an inning, and she’s a four year starter. Left fielder Alexa Peters had two hits and she’s been a starter throughout high school, and Paige Teeples, Chanlyn Cunningham, and Payton Kokenge all have more than one season on the varsity diamond.

The win stopped a seven game losing streak to the Eagles and the nine hits the Rams produced are by far the most in their meetings with Saydel when Lake was pitching. The victory ties Greene County with Saydel atop the Heart of Iowa Activities Conference at six wins and one loss, and the Rams are 8-4 overall. Saydel fell to 6-1 in the league and 7-1 on the season.

The Rams are home in Jefferson with South Hamilton in softball and baseball on Monday night. Some schedules may show those as road games, but the Rams traveled to Jewell early in the season to avoid a conflict with postseason boys soccer in Jefferson that same night.