Arenac Eastern Softball

Coach: Mike Vogl

2005 Record: 15-12 (9-5 North Star League)

Returning athletes: Nicole Daniels, sr., C (.442, 2 HR, 24 R, 29 RBI); Ashley Zobel, sr., SS (.287, 3 HR, 35 R, 20 SB); Amanda Humerickhouse, sr., OF (.310, 23 R, 16 RBI); Alecia Cook, Jr., 2B/P (.353, 3 HR, 17 RBI, 18 SB); Nikki Marsh, jr., OF; Autumn Spencer, jr., 3B/C; Carrie Fink, so., P/IF; Heather Bell, soph., IF. Daniels earned 1st-team all-NSL honors in 2005.

New to varsity: Emily Fitzgerald, jr.; Heather Rahl, jr.; Lindsay Nelson, so.; Jolene Tacey, fr.

Outlook: Eagles are coming off their sixth straight district title, but will need their pitching to come together to pull off a seventh. "Our pitching is still a little inconsistent," says AE ocach Mike Vogl. "Two of our pitchers currently have knee injuries, which will prevent them from doing any pitching for at least (two weeks of the pre-season)."

On the positive side, the Eagles are very strong in the critical up-the-middle positions. Catcher Nicole Daniels returns her .442 batting average to the lineup to anchor the offense, and Alecia Cook and Ashley Zobel give the Eagles a pair of strong middle infielders at shortstop and second base. Cook and Zobel combined to steal 38 bases last season.

"Our defense looks good, and so does our hitting," Vogl says, hedging a bit on the the batting after noting that the indoor practices are much different than facing a pitcher outdoors.

"The kids have set goals of winning the league and returning to the regional tournament," Vogl says. "To achieve those, we will need strong pitching."

AuGres-Sims Softball

Coach: Jeri Christie

2005 Record: 15-12 (10-4 North Star League)

Returning athletes: Jodi Bilacic, sr., C/3B; Angela Porn, sr., SS/OF; Elicia Radka, sr., P/1B; Tasha Dewald, sr., CF/3B; Amber Little, sr., P/OF; Stacey Beem, C/OF; Jamie Taylor, jr., P/OF; Sam Baron, jr., 1B; Toria Pendred, jr., OF; Chelsie Irwin, jr., 2B. Dewald and Taylor were both first-team all-NSL, while Radka and Bilacic earned honorable mention.

New to varsity: Jessica Stevenson, Alicia Wright

2006 Outlook: Experienced group returns that was in the running for the league title until a season-ending sweep at the hands of NSL champ Posen in 2005. Starting pitchers Jamie Taylor and Elicia Radka both return and will be supported by an offense that boasts plenty of speed.

"Experience, speed, positive attitudes and hard workers who are willing to dedicate themselves to being the best individual players," will lead the team in 2006, says AGS coach Jeri Christie. Working on the mental aspect of the game will be the Wolverines' biggest challenge. "Of the 12 players on varsity, eight of them are coming off a championship volleyball season. I'm looking for them to lead the others in staying positive."

Hale Softball

Coach: Todd Herzog

2005 Record: 8-18 (3-11 North Star League)

Returning athletes: Andrea Herzog, sr., 1B/OF; Heather Albaugh, jr. 2B/SS; Chelsea Sidebottom, jr., SS/3B/C; Sabrina Provoast, jr., P/3B/C; Lauryn Springsteen, so., C/IF; Rachel Maher, so., 3B/SS; Terra Kelso, so., OF/IF; Courtney Weaver, jr., OF/1B; Beth Savage, jr., OF; Kodie Grant, so., OF/1B.

New to varsity: Melissa Fante, fr.; Melissa Fifield, fr.; Amanda Hendrix, fr.; Bree Runyan, fr.; Sarah Savage, fr.

2006 Outlook: Hale was painfully young last season and endured growing pains along the way, but gave Arenac Eastern a scare before falling in the 2005 district title game.

With 10 returning players, including eight starters, coach Todd Herzog expects the team to be improved.

"We already are more of a team this year and the ladies have a positive attitude," Herzog says. "They come each day ready to practice and are always trying to improve."

The Eagles have been concentrating on the little things, which he hopes will pay off in the victory column.

"We have been talking about trying to keep mistakes down, and also to be aware of taking advantage of other teams' mistakes. Knowledge and experience come with playing the game.

"At the end of last year we were playing good softball. Our goal is to improve on this and hopefully put more wins on our side of the field. I believe the way to improve and have more wins is to continue to teach more of the little things that make a better ball player, and to have fun through the season."

Ogemaw Heights Softball

Coach: Chuck Wren

2005 Record: 22-12 (7-5 North East Michigan Conference)

Returning athletes: Alexis Buchoz, sr., 2B/OF (.233); Jamie Lucas, jr., P/SS (.297); Ashley Killinger, sr., SS (.266); Joslyn Morrell, sr., OF (.356); Lauren Shepardson, sr., 1B (.319); Samantha Thorson, sr., 3B (.313); Tera Vejcik, sr., C (.330). Lucas was 2nd-team all-NEMC; Vejcik earned honorable mention.

New to varsity: Kelli Rosebrugh, jr., OF/SS/2B; Kayla Lehman, jr., IF/OF; Theresa Wymer, jr., 1B; Michelle Berdan, jr., OF/C; Colleen Wren, so., P/OF.

2006 Outlook: With seven returning senior starters, the Falcons rank as one of the NEMC hopefuls taking aim at perennial champ Pinconning. The infield returns intact, with Thorson, Killinger, Buchoz and Shepardson all playing the same positions as last year and Vejcik returning at catcher. Jamie Lucas, the team's no. 2 pitcher last season, steps into the no. 1 slot, while Morrell, last season's top hitter, returns to the outfield.

Falcon coach Chuck Wren will be relying on that senior leadership, as well as confidence gained last year from winning a number of close games, to propel the team to its goals of NEMC and district titles. With a such a strong returning group, Wren is also pleased with the team's work ethic, team concept and desire to win.

"We need to work on the development of two outfielders and a solid no. 2 pitcher," Wren says. "Communication (will lead to) team unity.

"We're looking forward to a great season. The girls are excited and working hard."

Pinconning Softball

Coach: Tim Hoffman

2005 Record: 27-13 (12-0 North East Michigan Conference)

Returning athletes: Jackie Genow, sr., 3B; Alysa Rugenstein, sr., OF; Rachel Stark, sr., OF; Candace Sequin, Jr., P/IF; Samantha Bellhorn, so., 2B; Alicia Bishop, so., OF.

New to varsity: Lauren Lahar, so., IF; Katie Sequin, so., IF; Kelsey Bourcier, so., C; Shawna Vermeesch, so., OF; Ashley Mrozinski, fr., C/OF

2006 Outlook: The Spartans return just four starters from last year, and will be plenty young in 2006, as well as welcoming new coach Tim Hoffman.

The biggest key is returning pitcher Candace Sequin. Though just a junior, she served as the no. 2 pitcher as a freshman and sophomore and should be ready to ascend into the ace's role. Third-year varsity player Jackie Genow moves from the outfield to third base, while third year outfielders Alysa Rugenstein and Rachel Stark return as well. All four played key roles in the Spartans' run to the Final Four two years ago.

Also returning are sophomores Alicia Bishop and Samantha Bellhorn. Bellhorn played most of the season at the JV level, but injuries forced her into the starting second base role during the Spartans' playoff run last season.

The Spartans may struggle early with their inexperienced lineup and typically brutal schedule, but more than likely they will battle it out with Ogemaw Heights and Whittemore-Prescott in the fight to retain their NEMC crown.

Standish-Sterling Softball

Coach: Keith Fegan

2005 Record: 19-11, 6-6 North East Michigan Conference

Returning athletes: Ashley Yenior, sr. OF; Ashley Morrison, sr., OF; Tiffany Belanger, jr., C; Barbara Filipeck, so., P/IF.

New to varsity: Brooke Robinson, jr., IF; Katelynn Jurek, jr., IF/OF; Sarah Ostroski, jr., OF/IF/C; Megan Robinson, jr., IF/P/OF; Lyndsay Potts, jr., OF/IF; Schylur Molson, jr., OF; Olivia Picard, so., IF; Alyssa Bonnau, fr., IF/P/OF

2006 Outlook: Only four players return from last year's breakout squad that tallied the Panthers' first winning season in years. The good news is that sophomnore pitcher Barbara Filipeck and junior catcher Tiffany Belanger are two of them, and quality pitching is essential in softball. Outfielders Ashley Yenior and Ashley Morrison also return.

"We have back our pitcher, catcher and two solid infielders," says SSC coach Keith Fegan. "The new girls are working hard and give me a lot of options to work with."

If the Panthers are to improve on last year's .500, fourth-place finish in the rough-and-tumble NEMC, Fegan said developing an entirely new infield will be a key.

"Communication and getting used to playing together will take the defense awhile to jell," Fegan says. "We would like to improve on our middle-of-the-pack finish in the NEMC. Pitching and solid defense, as always, will be a big key to that success."

Tawas Area Softball

Coach: Dave Lesinski

2005 Record: 19-18 (5-7 North East Michigan Conference)

Returning athletes: Angela Righetti, sr., C (.403, 10 2B, 4 3B, 1 HR, 26 RBI, 37 R, 13 SB); Jenna Potts, jr., SS (.405, 28 R, 23 RBI); Jessica Look, sr., IF; Whitney Moers, sr., IF/OF/P; Sarah Simmons, sr., OF/1B; Lindsey Pearsall, sr., OF; Mollie King, sr., IF/OF. Potts was 1st-team all-NEMC, Righetti 2nd-team all-NEMC, 1st team D3 all-state in 2005.

New to varsity: Nickie Stein, fr., P; Katie LaHaye, fr., 1B; Michelle Revord, so., P; Jill Fountain, so., OF; Courtney McKenzie, so., OF/IF; Raquel Cooper, jr., OF/P.

2006 Outlook: With just two returning starters in Righetti and Potts, the Braves will be young, but still have high aspirations. "They've established their goals, which includes getting past Whittemore and advancing to the regional tournament," says assistant coach Keith Frank. "The team's defense is much-improved over last year, and that will be one of the keys to the girls achieving their goals."

Righetti, who is signed to play college ball at Oakland University, and Potts will lead a young but fairly experienced group. "We're fortunate to have their returning leadership," Frank says. "We are going to be a young team, but most of the girls have been playing summer ASA ball for the past several years and have gotten a lot of game experience."

Speed will be the strength of the Tawas offense. "Our hitting needs the most improvement at this time, but the girls are starting to come along since we moved outside," Frank says. "We don't have a lot of power hitters so we'll have to work on manufacturing runs more than we have in the past.

"It looks like our biggest strength will be speed, provided we can get the girls on base to utilize it."

Whittemore-Prescott Softball

Coach: Sam Harrison

2005 Record: 29-10 (8-4 North East Michigan Conference)

Returning athletes: Kelli Barriger, sr., P/IF (.322, 41 R, pitching 14-3); Kaylon Leslie, jr. 3B (.422, 48 R, 40 RBI); Theresa Janish, jr., P (.325, pitching 15-7, 1.05 ERA); Julie Janish, so., SS (.314); Andrea Rahkola, sr, OF; Kristie Degesie, sr., OF; Sarah Schmidt, sr., OF. Leslie was all-state honorable mention, 2nd-team all-NEMC; Theresa Janish 1st-team all-NEMC; Julie Janish 2nd-team all-NEMC and Barriger honorable mention.

New to varsity: Madie O'Farrell, jr.; Kayla Wilson, jr.; Ashley Foco, jr.; Sharesse King, so.

2006 Outlook: Other teams have more returning than the Cardinals' five starters - at least numerically. But anyone would be happy to count W-P's quintet as part of their team. It starts with the pitching tandem of Kelli Barriger (14-3) and Theresa Janish (15-7, 1.05 ERA). Kaylon Leslie was the team's leading hitter at .422, driving in 40 runs and scoring 47 while earning all-state honorable mention as a sophomore third-baseman. Sophomore shortstop Julie Janish was solid as a freshman, and senior centerfielder Andrea Rahkola returns for her fourth varsity season.

Experience, pitching and the athleticism of his team will make Sam Harrison's bunch a formidable group. But there is room for growth, which will determine if W-P can improve on last year's playoff run.

"We are working to improve all aspects of our game, especially decision-making," Harrison says. "We would like to win our districts and get another shot at a regional title."