Holly Brooks, Caravel
Photo by Richard Wallden
2016 Delaware Preseason Softball Fab 5, presented by the Army National Guard
1. Polytech (Woodside) Head coach: Jennifer Bradshaw
2015 record: 17-1 regular season, state champion
Four seniors return to the starting lineup as the Panthers try to defend their title: Catcher
Whitney Demora (.449 batting average), second baseman
Morgan Dodge (.355), shortstop
Hayley Friess (.314) and outfielder
Amanda Waishes (.281). Senior lefthander
Taylor Pechin will be the team's top pitcher and swings a hefty bat, evinced by last season's .412 batting average.
Coach's outlook: "We will be led by a very skilled and experienced senior class. I have no doubt that they will impart their knowledge upon the underclassmen as we set our sights on another deep run in the state tournament."
See last season's Delaware softball computer rankings2. Padua Academy (Wilmington)Head coach: Peter Boyer
2015 record: 12-6 regular season, state tournament quarterfinals
Three-time first team all-state outfielder
Kierstin Fallers along with junior
Abby Cunningham (.405 batting average) and sophomore
Hannah Williams (.585, second team all-state) will anchor a talented team that touts an outstanding freshman class. Cunningham and
Lynsey Grant are the projected starting pitchers.
Coach's outlook: "We are a young team that will build on a lot of state tournament experience that will improve and grow with every game."
See Delaware softball photo galleries3. Caravel (Bear)Head coach: Tony Peterson
2015 record: 18-4, state tournament runner-up
Senior outfielder
Alexa Proffitt (.466) and junior shortstop
Samantha Esper (.396) will provide the offensive spark for Caravel while junior pitcher
Holly Brooks (17 wins) will take the circle most games as the Bucs try to return to the state title game.
Coach's outlook: "We hope our experience and dedication will help us along the way. Like always it will depend on how well we come together as the season moves on. We should be able to make a strong run for the state tournament."
See last season's Delaware softball playoff brackets4. Sussex Tech (Georgetown)Head coach: John Marvel
2015 record: 10-7, state tournament first round
Coach John Marvel is back at the helm after retiring as head coach following the 2012 season, when he led the Ravens to the state championship. Returning senior players include
Taylor Collins (3B),
Nicole Hovater (2B/OF),
Sarah James (P),
Elisha Marks (OF) and
Laurie Wroten (OF).
Coach's outlook: "There is a lot of enthusiasm throughout the program!"
See last season's Delaware softball stat leaders5. Lake Forest (Felton)Head coach: Ashlie Tatman
2015 record: 12-6, state tournament first round
The Spartans must replace ace Katherine Betts in the circle, and whoever gets the nod will most likely be throwing to
Catera Kennedy, the lone returning senior on this year's team.
Coach's outlook: "I expect our team to be competitive, have a better record than last year, and make it to the state tournament."
Jon Buzby is a member of the Fox Sports 1290 high school broadcast team and sportswriter for the Newark Post