Prior to the start of the 2024 Greene County High School softball season, head coach Tom Kennedy knew his young squad had some talent. But after graduating the pitcher-catcher battery of Emma Hoyle and Emma Stream who both were five year starters, 2024 was going to have some new faces on the field. What the coach did not know at the end of last season was that no fewer than three potential or returning regulars are not able to play this season due to knee surgery recoveries. Despite that, the Rams went 2-3 in the first week of this season.

Two games at Saturday’s Ogden Tournament resulted in losses to the host Bulldogs and to Carroll’s Tigers. Ogden won 8-3 in six innings via a time limit. Carroll needed just five innings to top the Rams 14-0. Alaina Heard pitched vs. the Bulldogs and Daniele Madsen started with relief help from Bellah Johnson vs. Carroll. Heard threw all six innings vs. Ogden and allowed just two earned runs on five hits and seven walks and she hit two batters with pitches while recording four strikeouts. Madsen went two innings vs. the Tigers and Johnson pitched the last three. Ten runs, nine earned, were scored off Madsen. She allowed five hits and six walks. Johnson did not allow a hit, but walked three and hit two with pitches. Johnson recorded one strikeout en route to allowing four runs, all earned.

Greene County had just four hits total in the two games. Payton Kokenge and Madsen singled vs. Ogden. Heard doubled and Sara Morlan singled vs. Carroll.

The Rams play on Tuesday at home for the first time this season and the game vs. Grand View Christian (Des Moines)  from the City Field on E. Lincolnway will be broadcast on KG98 and streamed on www.raccoonvalleyradio.com with coverage set for shortly after 7 p.m.