Wednesday night saw the Greene County Rams travel to Des Moines to face Class 3A number 3 Saydel in Heart of Iowa Activities Conference softball. The first of two conference meetings this season featured All-State pitchers on both teams in the 5-1 victory by the Rams. Coach Tom Kennedy’s Rams improved to 6-1 in the conference and 8-4 overall. The Eagles are now 6-1 in conference and 7-1 overall.

Saydel’s Dakota Lake and Greene County’s Emma Hoyle are both graduated seniors. The Rams had lost seven in a row to Saydel until Wednesday night. Hoyle allowed just three hits and walked two batters while striking out seven and the Rams committed only one error. Lake gave up nine hits and one walk while fanning eight.

Hoyle and Emma Stream each doubled for Greene County with two RBI by Stream and one each for Hoyle and Alexa Peters. Shannon and Hoyle each had two hits with singles by Peters, Payton Kokenge, Paige Teeples, and Chanlyn Cunningham.

Defensively, Shannon made a catch Kennedy said was maybe the best he’s ever seen as she chased down a ball destined for the gap and extra bases.

The start is the best since 2015 for the Rams.