High schools around Iowa officially begin softball practice today and that includes the Greene County Rams. Tom Kennedy returns as the head coach and Greg Ruth is the top assistant. The Rams return eight of 10 starters from 2013 when they went 26-10 overall and tied PCM (Monroe) and North Polk (Alleman) for first place in the Heart of Iowa Activities Conference at 13 wins and five losses. The Rams topped all other conference teams in team batting average a season ago at .327, but two of the top hitters graduated last spring in first team all-state player Jennifer Kennedy, and first team all-conference selection Mady Adamson. Kennedy also was the top pitcher for the Rams.

The softball program has been quite successful in recent seasons with at least 23 victories in each of the past three seasons. The Rams were 23-11 in 2011 and 26-8 two years ago. The softball program incorporates student-athletes from both the Greene County and Paton-Churdan school districts.

The first night of action is set for Tuesday, May 27 vs. Saydel (Des Moines) in Jefferson at the City Diamond on East Lincolnway.