2007 Season: 10-22-1 (3-8-1 NEMC)

Coach: Ed Mervyn

Returning athletes: Mark Jakubik, sr., 3B; Jordan McCrory, sr., 1B; Greg Smith, sr., OF; Kyle Hucul, sr., OF/P; Andrew Krasemann, sr., IF; Aaron Clare, Sr., OF/C

New to varsity: Tristan Kohlhoff, jr.; Matt Grindstaff, jr.; Sean Leathorn, jr.; Josh Anderson, jr.; Adam Parada, jr.; Kyle Saunders, jr.; Kevin DuPuis, so.; Dylan DeBoever, so.

Outlook: Whittemore-Prescott stumbled to a 10-22 mark last season and a sixth-place finish in the NEMC. Despite fielding a relatively inexperienced squad this year, W-P coach Ed Mervyn thinks his squad will be improved.

“This group is working pretty well together,” he says. “We have nowhere to go but up.”

Mervyn feels pretty certain the Cards will be improved defensively and should at least hold their own at the plate. The big question mark will be the pitching W-P has very little varsity experience on the mound.

Kyle Hucul, who pitched a few innings last season, returns with the most pitching experience. Juniors Matt Grindstaff, Sean Leathorn and Josh Anderson, as well as sophomore Dylan DeBoever, figure to be in the mix until Mervyn can determine who he can count on.

“We have some people who can throw hard,” he says. “Hopefully we have a few guys who can throw for strikes.

“The kids understand that with teams like Ogemaw and Pinconning we're going to have some trouble. Two years ago, we won all four (regular-season) tournaments we entered where the teams were from schools our size. Our focus is to do well in those again to help build toward the end of the year.

“Our hitting has been a problem the past few years. Hopefully it's better this season because I don't think we're going to win too many 1-0 games.”

Third baseman Mark Jakubik and outfielder Greg Smith are the top returning batters. First baseman Jordan McCrory, infielder Andrew Krasemann and outfielder / catcher Aaron Clare also return

Mervyn will likely turn to sophomores DeBoever and Kevin DuPuis to take the middle infield spots, as well as pitch, while juniors Kyle Saunders (second base / shortstop) and Tristan Kohlhoff (first base / pitcher) also figure to see plenty of playing time.

“We're still trying to find the best nine guys,” Mervyn admits. “Right now we're just watching and evaluating. We'll have a lot better idea what we have once we're able to get outside.”