2008 LADY BRAVES - The 2008 Tawas Area varsity softball team members are, from left, back row: Michelle Revord, Courtney McKenzie, Rachel Adaline, Lyndsey Look, Lindsey Wilson and Jenna Plude; front row: Christie Cooper, Jill Fountain, Courtney Bissonette, Nicole Stein and Katie LaHaye. Missing from photo is Cassie Bush. - Courtesy photo

Tawas softball returns eight players

TAWAS CITY - With six returning starters and eight returning letter winners overall, the Tawas Area varsity softball team has an optimistic outlook for the upcoming 2008 season.

But as he enters his 11th season at the helm, Head Coach Dave Lesinski has some concerns as well.
Entering the 2008 campaign, the Lady Braves find themselves ranked seventh in the Division III pre-season softball poll.

“That puts a big target on our back,” says Lesinski. “Everybody is looking to knock off the rated teams so that means we have to prepare better and play harder every game.”

Tawas graduated two seniors from their 2007 team which had an overall record of 29-7 and have six returning starters entering this season. Those starters include Courtney McKenzie, Jill Fountain and Michelle Revord (2007 All-Conference, All-District and All-Regional first team and 2007 Bay City Times Dream Team selections) in the outfield, Rachel Adaline (2007 All-Conference honorable mention) at third base and Katie LaHaye (2007 All-Conference, All-District and All-Regional first team selections at first base) who will be moving from first base to catcher this season.

Tawas also returns the North East Michigan Conference’s most experienced pitcher, Nikki Stein. In 2007, Stein received All-Conference, All-District and All-Regional first team and honorable mention All-State honors.

Also returning are Courtney Bissonette at second base and utility player Jenna Plude. Moving up from the junior varsity team are junior utility players Lindsey Wilson and Cassie Bush. Rounding out the 2008 roster are freshmen Lyndsey Look at first base and Christie Cooper at shortstop.

This year’s squad has its sights set on winning the conference and district tournament. After splitting with Pinconning in its doubleheader last year, the team still finished second to the Spartans in the conference. The Lady Braves are hoping to take the next step and win it all in 2008.

Although their goals appear lofty, Coach Lesinski feels they are achievable.

“We have a good team with a lot of experience,” he said. “If we practice hard and play even harder, the team is capable of anything.

“My main concern is our lack of outdoor practice time before our first game. The weather has kept us indoors all spring.”

The Lady Braves were scheduled to open their season at home on April 7 against Whittemore-Prescott. All home games will be played at East Tawas’s Dewey Durant Park. Games start at 4 p.m.

Although their goals appear lofty, Coach Lesinski feels they are achievable.

“We have a good team with a lot of experience,” he said. “If we practice hard and play even harder, the team is capable of anything.

“My main concern is our lack of outdoor practice time before our first game. The weather has kept us indoors all spring.”

The Lady Braves were scheduled to open their season at home on April 7 against Whittemore-Prescott. All home games will be played at East Tawas’s Dewey Durant Park. Games start at 4 p.m.