Arenac Eastern Baseball

Coach: Mike Sanchez

2005 Record: 9-12 (5-9 North Star League)

Returning athletes: Gage Morgan, sr.; Kyle White, jr.; Brian Langstaff, jr.; Kenny Ziembo, jr.; Skyler Thacker, jr.; Brandon Trombley, jr.; Ethan Klopf, so.

New to varsity: Patrick Rousse, jr.; Zack Moran, so.; Sean Norton, fr.; Jared Zobel, jr.; Jake Frederick, fr.

2006 Outlook: Eagles lost five to graduation, plus two more juniors for disciplinary reasons that will leave AE fairly inexperienced, especially in the field.

Where the Eagles should be strong is on the mound, where senior Gage Morgan and juniors Kyle White and Brian Langstaff provide a solid core of pitchers.

"We still have pitching, but don't know if we have anyone to catch it yet," says AE coach Mike Sanchez. "But we will have to grind out some runs."

Also returning from last season are Kenny Ziembo, Skyler Thacker, Brandon Trombley and sophomore second baseman Ethan Klopf. Two starting spots will be filled by first-time players.

"This year we aren't going to focus on wins and losses, but put more of a focus on making sure we improve each and every day," Sanchez says. Hopefully at the end of the season the wins will be there."

AuGres-Sims Baseball

Coach: Mike Whyte

2006 Record: 18-10 (13-1 North Star League)

Returning athletes: Justin DuRussel, sr., SS/P (.405, 22 RBI, 19 SB, pitching 4-0); Nick Garvie, sr., CF (.353, 31 R, 25 SB, .458 OBA); Geoffrey Farver, sr., P/IF; (.342, pitching 6-2, 2.04 ERA, 63 K, 7 CG); Jimmy Lake, sr., P/1B (pitching 6-3, 2.06 ERA, 52 K, 4 CG); Shaun Yotkois, sr., DH/1B; Dustin Ott, sr., RF; Travis Lee, jr., P/3B; Clark Larson, jr., 2B.

New to varsity: Isaiah Kauffman, jr., P/SS; Steven Hardy, jr., OF; Jake Moody, sr., OF/DH; Shane Lynch, jr., OF/1B; Arthur Griffore, so., C/1B.

2006 Outlook: Pitching staff that helped AGS win its first league title since 1987 returns intact, but the Wolverines will need to find a way to replace league MVP Kevin Whyte, whose work behind the plate was a big part of their success. Starters Farver, Lake, Lee and DuRussel combined to go 18-5. Shaun Yotkois and Isaiah Kauffman will also pitch. The Wolverines hit .318 as a team last year and with eight returning starters should again put runs on the board.

Shoring up the defense is the big concern. AGS gave up 117 unearned runs last year -- out of 182 total -- and a slew of errors keyed their one-and-done performance in the district tournament.

"We made way too many mistakes in the field last year," says AGS coach Mike Whyte. "We are working hard this spring on our defensive drills. This area needs to improved greatly if we are to be successful this season."

An improved defense should keep AGS in the league title hunt again, especially after they run the gauntlet of a nonleague schedule that includes Bay City All Saints, three NEMC teams and Beaverton.

"I hope we'll be in the mix with Mio and Hillman for the NSL title, and we want to make amends for our performance during the district tournament last spring," Whyte says. "I think with our returning players and this year's additions we could have a good season. Pitching and defense win titles. We have the experience in the pitching staff, but we need our defense to be a lot better if we want to reach our goals."

Hale Baseball

Coach: George Dice

2005 Record: 3-20, 1-13 North Star League

Returning athletes: Ryan Brewington, P/C/IF; Will Hjorth, IF; Erick Taup, IF/P; Chandler Moody, OF; Roy Bernard, C; Brandon Kelso; Chad Mothersell; Kyle Wilson; Dan Higgins; Travis Gulish.

New to varsity: Drew Compau, Adam VanHorn, Justin Anderson, Lane Self.

2006 Outlook: Hale will try to bounce back from a rough season that featured a very inexperienced team playing under a new coach. George Dice returns for his second year, as do 10 of his players.

Several of the Eagles saw plenty of playing time last year, including senior Erick Taup.

"Erick's our do-everything guy," Dice says. "He pitches, catches, plays in the field. He can do it all."

Pitcher/infielder Ryan Brewington and outfielder Chandler Moody also bring plenty of experience.

"The kids have improved a lot," Dice says. "I really think that we should have a decent season."

Ogemaw Heights Baseball

Coach: Jeremiah Peace

2005 Record: 20-17 (8-4 North East Michigan Conference)

Returning athletes: Andy Tuttle, sr., OF (.345, 17 RBI, 14 SB); Matt Faiman, jr., OF/P/1B (.458, 32 R, 22 RBI, 42 SB, pitching 3.98 ERA, 23 K); Kyle Wangler, jr., SS/P (.242, 17 RBI, 11 SB, pitching 4.00 ERA); Ryan Bragg, jr., 3B/P; Rick Dodridge, so., 1B/P (.277, 2 HR, 13 RBI, pitching 3.65 ERA, 30 K); Michael Noffsinger, so., CF (.267, 27 R, 23 SB); Anthony Betancourt, so., OF/P.

New to varsity: Blaine Powley, fr., IF/P/C; Kelvin Page, so., UT; Aaron Kihn, so., C; Gio Roberto, so., OF; Rob Goulette, jr., IF; Kyle Weber, jr., OF; Scott Kimball, jr., 1B.

2006 Outlook: Expectations are sky-high for the Falcons, thanks to last season's summer team's run that stopped one game short of the Senior League World Series. But as coach Jeremiah Peace says, "That doesn't guarantee us one win this season."

The Falcons shattered the school stolen base record last year with 174, which is fourth-best in the MHSAA record book, and most of that speed is back. Matt Faiman (42 steals) and Michael Noffsinger (23) will lead the way on the basepaths.

Faiman is also part of a deep pitching staff that includes Kyle Wangler and Rick Dodridge -- none of whom are seniors both all of which saw plenty of varsity innings last spring.

"Our kids are much more experienced after getting quite a few games this summer," says Peace.

Defense is where the Falcons gave up some runs last year, and also proved to be the difference in the Senior League tourney, which featured 10 current varsity players.

"We've made it a point of emphasis this year," Peace says. "But it needs to improve greatly for these kids to get where they want to be. Also our ability to be patient at the plate and hit according to situations will need to improve."

If those things fall into place, the Falcons hope to have a spring that equals the excitement of the summer of 2005.

"We hope to challenge for the conference," Peace says. "It will be tough as always, but we want to go into districts playing our best ball and make a run for the Final Four."

Pinconning Baseball

Coach: Jeff Sanak

2005 Season: 31-11, 11-1 North East Michigan Conference

Returning athletes: Kyle Berner, sr., 2B; Brian Dominowski, sr., RF; Casey Ingle, sr., P/1B; Nick Kleinhans, sr., C; Kyle Horner, sr., SS; Kurtis Mowbray, jr., 3B; Tim Rezler, jr, CF.

New to varsity: Clay Cloutier, sr., P; Andrew Marut, jr., LF; Scott Staszak, jr., 1B; Dakota Grappin, so., Ryan Kleinhans, so.

2006 Outlook: For the first time in more than 20 years, Rick Rudrow won't be in the dugout managing the Spartans. New coach Jeff Sanak takes over a squad coming off a trip to the Final Four that returns several key elements. First and foremost is standout pitcher Casey Ingle, a Central Michigan University signee.

He'll throw to a familiar target in catcher Nick Kleinhans and be backed by returning middle infielders Kyle Horner (shortstop) and Kyle Berner (second base), while junior third baseman Kurtis Mowbray also returns to give the Spartans an experienced infield, as well as three of the top four hitters in last season's batting order.

Horner and Mowbray also pitched plenty of innings last year.

The Spartans likely will slug it out with John Glenn and Ogemaw Heights for NEMC supremacy, then be primed to make a deep run into the state tournament at season's end.

The Essexville Garber region could potentially feature three NEMC teams as the Bobcats, Spartans and Falcons will each compete in different districts this season.

Standish-Sterling Baseball

Coach: Steve Stodolak

2005 Season: 18-12, 7-5 North East Michigan Conference

Returning athletes: Derek Fritz, sr., C/P; Keith Karbowski, sr., 1B/P; Nick Gwisdala, sr., LF/P; Jake Nelson, sr., OF/IF; Justin Migut, jr., 3B/P; Garrett Reid, jr., SS; Brent Raymond, jr., OF; Brad Bialobrzeski, so., CF/P; Dewey Milan, so., CF/P.

New to varsity: Joel LaPan, jr.; Brennen Cuttitta, jr.; Aaron Pickvet, jr.; Jason Kandal, so.

2006 Outlook: SSC returns nine players from last season's 18-12 squad. The only problem for the Panthers is that most of the other top teams in the NEMC are similarly experienced.

Even so, the Panthers seem poised to make a run at the likes of Glenn, Pinconning and Ogemaw. Senior pitchers Derek Fritz, Keith Karbowski and Nick Gwisdala were the backbone of the mound corps last year, and return with junior Justin Migut and sophomores Brad Bialobrzeski and Dewey Milan, who also got some innings in last year.

All also played key roles in the field, which coach Steve Stodolak says could be the key to the season.

A bonus should be the return to form of junior shortstop Garrett Reid, who was still returning to full strength from an injury prior to last season.

"We need to improve our defensive play," he says. "Our strength is our experience and key returning players. We just want to compete in every game we play, and keep improving each game."

Tawas Area Baseball

Coach: Jim Gorman

2005 Season: 8-24, 3-9 North East Michigan Conference

Returning athletes: Blaine Thoryk, sr., LF; Steven Stanley, sr., 1B/3B/P; James McDermott, sr., OF; Scott Wesley, jr., CF; Blair Conklin, jr., C; Tyler McCoy, jr., IF/P; Josh Thomas, jr., 1B/P/OF; Justin Troutt, jr., P/OF; Grant Burch, jr., OF/P; Alex Verlac, so., P/OF; J.D. Nordeen, so., IF.

New to varsity: Craig McEwan, sr., IF; Chris Thoryk, so., IF/P; Justin Bielby, fr., P/IF.

2006 Outlook: The Braves experienced growing pains with a very young team under new coach Jim Gorman last season, but looked ready to break out with a strong performance in the district tournament that ended with a 5-2 loss to eventual state quarterfinalist Roscommon.

"We return all but two players from a team that really jelled at the end of the season," he says. "The strength of our team will be a number of interchangable players that should give us a strong-fielding teams.

"We also have some decent speed that will allow us to pressure opposing teams on the basepaths."

The NEMC looks as strong as ever this year, with Glenn, Pinconning, Ogemaw and Standish-Sterling all returning the bulk of strong 2005 outfits.

"We have to be able to manufacture runs when we see better pitching this year," Gorman says. "At times last year, we struggled to play small-ball against good pitching. Since we'll fave some very good pitching in our league this year, it's imperative we take advantage of opportunities.

"We are looking to get off to a better start and build upon that momentum going into league play. Our goal is to win our district, and our league schedule should help prepare us (for that)."

Whittemore-Prescott Baseball

Coach: Ed Mervyn

2005 Record: 13-19, 3-8 North East Michigan Conference

Returning athletes: Don Hucul, sr., SS; Pete Jackson, sr., C; Tyler Leslie, sr., 1B; Trent Lomason, sr., OF; Darin Scoles, so., P/OF; James Stachlewicz, sr., OF; Kevin Tanner, sr., P/2B.

Players new to varsity: Tim Bradburn, jr., P/OF; Kyle Clare, jr., OF; Phil Cotoio, jr., OF; Brett DeBoever, jr., OF; Mike Gusler, P/OF; Baron McBride, jr., P/1B; Brandon Nichols, sr., OF; Shane Osier, jr., SS; Tom Mead, sr., 3B.

2006 Outlook: W-P has had only four losing seasons in Ed Mervyn's quarter century-plus of coaching, but last year was one of them. The Cards have a tough non-league schedule, not to mention a trip through the hazardous NEMC, and turning around last season's record will depend on how the team's pitching staff comes together.

"We're still pretty inexperienced there," Mervyn says. "We don't have someone who you can count on for a win to end a losing streak, or an inning to stop a rally.

"But defensively we should be pretty good, if we can make other teams put the ball in play."

Mervyn's optimism about his defense stems from the return of neary all of W-P's infield. All-district first baseman Tyler Leslie, second baseman Kevin Tanner, shortstop Don Hucul and catcher Pete Jackson, as well as outfielders Trent Lomason, Darin Scoles and James Stachlewicz, all saw plenty of time afield last year.

"Our defense has looked good so far," Mervyn says. "That'll be important because we can't afford to give anyone more than three outs in an inning.

"These guys were our best hitters last year, too. We should be better, especially if we get some pitching. But so will teams like Ogemaw, Pinconning and Glenn, so we'll see what happens."