LEXINGTON ? The Kentucky baseball team begins preparations for the 2005 campaign on Sunday as it holds it first team practice of the Spring under second year head coach John Cohen.

The Wildcats return just 12 players from a year ago, but welcome 19 newcomers, including 12 freshmen, to the fold for the upcoming season. Collectively, the newcomers make up one of the nation?s top 25 recruiting classes.

Of the returnees, four are position starters including Lexington natives Michael Bertram and John Shelby. Billy Grace, who was an all-star over the summer in the Great Lakes League is also back to anchor the outfield.

On the mound, Slaughters, Ky., native Kalen Gibson headlines the returnees. A year ago, he led the Wildcats in wins and had two victories over top 10 teams en route to two SEC Player of the Week awards.

The newcomers are led by the 2004 Mr. Baseball in Kentucky Collin Cowgill as well as Louisville Slugger All-American Scott Green, another Bluegrass State native.

Kentucky will have three weeks of practice before opening the season against Appalachian State in the Buccaneer Classic at Charleston Southern on Feb. 18.