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)."