The Greene County High School softball and baseball teams open their 2014 seasons on Tuesday, May 27. Both play Heart of Iowa Activities Conference opponent Saydel (Des Moines) in Jefferson. The softball squad is preparing without three returning starters, all infielders, because junior Hannah Onken (1B), Emma Saddoris (2B), and Emily Christensen (SS) are involved in the State Coed Track & Field Meet at Drake Stadium in Des Moines. Action starts at Drake Stadium tomorrow and Onken throws the discus in the afternoon, then she’ll be done. Christensen and Saddoris are both members of the sprint medley and 4 x 400 meter relays, which run Friday (4 x 400 prelims) and Saturday (sprint medley final). Sophomore Hannah Cooklin will also be gone at Drake as she is an alternate on the Rams’ shuttle hurdle relay.

Head softball coach Tom Kennedy said preparing for the opener without those girls is made easier because they are veteran players. “They know how we do things, so that helps. They’ll also come in when they can before Tuesday and get some extra practice time in.”

All three Raccoon Valley stations will have reports from Drake Stadium all three days starting at 11:45 a.m. Thursday. Class 1A and 4A schools compete at 9 a.m. with 2A and 3A schools beginning at 2 p.m.