After Saturday’s 1-0 loss to Saydel in Class 3A Region 2 softball semifinal play, Greene County head coach Tom Kennedy saw a lot of positives. Carmyn Paup was the lone senior on the team. Not only do starters return at every position but shortstop, the Rams actually played a good share of the season without two other starters due to injury and other reasons. That means there likely will be competition to be in the 2023 starting lineup.

The Rams ended 13-13, the first season since 2016 here there were not more losses than wins. Greene County hopes to keep improving next season and there are some solid reasons why that is realistic. Pitcher Emma Hoyle will be a senior after striking out 230 batters in 166 innings this season. Battery mate Emma Stream returns behind the plate for her senior season, as do all of the hitters with the highest batting averages. That list includes centerfielder and leadoff batter Olivia Shannon, and number two hitter Alexa Peters. Both are slappers who will be seniors next season.