2006 Season: 30-9 (7-5, 3rd place NEMC); won district title

Coach: Sam and Walt Harrison

Returning players: Ashley Foco, sr., OF; Kayla Wilson, sr., OF; Theresa Janish, sr., P; Kaylon Leslie, sr., 3B; Sharesse King, jr., SS; Julie Janish, jr., C

New to varsity: Robin Sievers, sr.; Cortney Bork, fr.; Stephenie Neubecker, jr.; Ashley Schulte, jr.; Alyssa Spencer, jr.; Samantha Stachlewicz, jr.

Outlook: The Cardinals return most of the major contributors from last season's squad that fell just two runs shy of its first-ever regional title last season.

Kaylon Leslie and Theresa Janish are both fourth-year starters that already have their names firmly planted in the W-P record book. Leslie, at third base, "already owns every varsity record since I've been the varsity coach (11 years)," Sam Harrison says. Leslie hit .492, scored 67 runs, drove in 55 and hit 11 doubles, eight triples and eight home runs, including a memorable 330-foot shot at Oscoda. She also racked up all-NEMC, all-district, all region and honorable mention all-state recognition.

Janish, 20-6 with 188 strikeouts and a 0.90 ERA last season, ranks second in career total wins and strikeouts. She pulled in all-NEMC, all-district and all-region recognition as well.

All-district catcher Julie Janish (.362, 57 runs) also returns, as well as center fielder Kayla Wilson, shortstop Sharesse King and outfielder Ashley Foco.

"We return some girls with a lot of experience," Harrison says. "We also expect our team speed to be better than last season."

The Cards should be in the upper tier of NEMC squads, but breaking Pinconning's hold on the league title has thus far been an exercise in futility for everyone for decades.

"Our goals are to have fun and get better with every practice and game," Harrison says. We would sure like to win a regional championship, but getting out of our district will be no small feat with a tough Tawas squad and a much-improved Standish-Sterling team, which is new to our district."