2007 Season: 16-17 (5-7, 4th place NEMC)

Coach: Chuck Wren

Returning players: Jordan Foster, sr., 2B/OF; Tiffani Rouse, sr., OF/2B; Colleen Wren, sr., P/OF; Kim Wickwire, sr., OF; Lauren Gillette, jr., 3B/1B; Jenna Zettel, jr., C; Kate Dombrowski, so., P/3B.

New to varsity: Ashley Hebert, jr.; Megan Hicks, jr.; Jacie Lucas, jr.; Tara Neubecker, jr.; Emily Sheltrown, jr.; Angela Carollo, so.; Ashley Thompson, so.

Outlook: The Falcons have some key holes to fill after losing a number of key players to gradation, including one of their two primary pitchers and their middle infielders.

Few teams, though, will bring up eight JV players that have experienced the level of success as this year's group of newcomers, who are coming off an unbeaten 31-0 season.

The same level of success doesn't always translate to the varsity level, which is why Ogemaw coach Chuck Wren is relying in leadership from his four returning seniors.

Two of those seniors – Tiffani Rouse (.293 batting average) and Jordan Foster – will be counted on to fill the second base position, with the other starting in the outfield. Junior Jacie Lucas and sophomores Ashley Thompson and Angela Carollo were battling to hold down the fort at shortstop. Junior Emily Sheltrown will take over at first base.

The rest of the infield is more experienced, with juniors Lauren Gillette (.278) returning to third base and Jenna Zettel (.250, nine doubles and 30 RBIs) again playing catcher.

“Lauren has a year of experience under her belt and Jenna developed into a solid catcher and a good leader behind the plate,” Wren says.

Wren expects the pitching to stay in good hands despite the graduation of Jamie Lucas. Colleen Wren, his daughter, was 8-6 with a 2.58 ERA, while sophomore Kate Domrowski was 3-1, 2.98 after being called up to the varsity late in the season. Wren also earned first team all-NEMC status after hitting .413 and stealing 14 bases from the leadoff spot and showing plenty of range in the outfield.

Senior Kim Wickwire will play center, with Rouse and Foster in right. Finding a regular left fielder when Colleen Wren is pitching is still high on Chuck Wren's priority list.

Three juniors – Tara Neubecker, Ashley Hebert and Kathy Erickson – also look to figure prominently in the Falcons' fortunes.

“Tawas and Pinny are the teams to beat,” Wren says. “We need to develop our middle infielders, get leadership from our four seniors, (execute on offense) and (build) confidence.”