After fielding a team with more eighth graders in the starting lineup than seniors in 2019, Greene County head softball coach Tom Kennedy is hoping for improvement in the 2020 COVID-19 shortened season. The Rams were 10-20 a year ago, but finished strong after a slow start.

“We’re hoping to take that next step. I think we finally started going in the right direction last year. We did start 0-8, and then 8-8 in our last 16. After starting 0-8 you’ve got to find that next positive, and I think we did. We improved after starting three eighth graders at times, which is awfully young especially when they’re a pitcher (Emma Hoyle) and a catcher (Emma Stream).”

The coach added, “We all made progress and all got better. We’re strong where we need to be to move forward.” The coach talked about Emma Hoyle. “She did extremely well last year as an eighth grader pitching varsity, but that’s a very tough assignment. She’s put in the work, so we’re hoping for that next step there.”

Softball and baseball practices throughout the state begin on June 1. Greene County will open the abbreviated season on June 15 with the softball and baseball teams playing in Des Moines at Saydel High School. KG98 will have play-by-play of several games in June and July.