Thirteen ladies are ready to hit the field this spring for a successful 2024 season of Rams softball. Leading the Lady Rams for her twelfth season is head coach Karlyn Stephens, and she is ready to see her team apply the values of teamwork and communication. Rams softball kicks off its 2024 season with a doubleheader against Patrick and Henry Community College on Feb. 7 at 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. 

“Our upcoming season should be very exciting with talented, energetic and electrifying ladies who will be playing on the softball field,” Stephens said. “We have eight sophomores returning with experience to lead the fearless team, and we have five freshman who are eager to get the job done with grit.” 

Stephens said that she and assistant coach Steven Welsh are “really excited about the upcoming season that will be full of excitement.” Stephens encourages everyone to come out and support Rams softball. 

“These ladies have practiced all fall and grew together as a team,” Stephens said. “We also played a fall ball schedule to better prepare for the upcoming spring season.” 

Stephens said that her favorite thing about coaching is seeing the players apply knowledge, maturity and problem-solving skills to everyday adversities in life on and off the field. She explained that softball players learn the meaning of teamwork and communication with people from different backgrounds. They can apply those skills in the workplace after they graduate. 

When the softball team is not on the field or in the classroom, they get involved in Columbus County and supporting community events. The softball team helped work booths at the SCC Trunk or Treat and Halloween Safe Nite in October, and it helped load cars with food at the annual Wilcox Family Foundation turkey drive in November. More recently, the team walked and greeted the public at the Whiteville and Tabor City Christmas parades in December.