MaxPreps 2017 CIF Southern Section preseason high school softball Fab 5, presented by the Army National Guard

Video: Maya Brady Highlights - Oaks Christian (CA)
Check out Tom Brady's niece, a star player for Oaks Christian.


Editor's Note: Los Alamitos, Mission Viejo, Norco, Orange Lutheran and Grand Terrace are included in state Fab 5 preview and thus not included in the section-level preview.

1. Oaks Christian (Westlake Village)
Head coach: Peter Ackermann
2016 record: 30-2-1

The Lions lost only six seniors off a 20-person roster, however one of them was ace pitcher Marie Sobel (20-2, 1.62 ERA), now at Seton Hall. No worries. Ackermann groomed a pair of freshmen last season in Lexi Berg and Taylor Johnson, who went a combined 8-0 with an ERA well below 2.00. Oaks Christian has plenty more coming back, including sophomore shortstop Maya Brady, whose uncle happens to be five-time Super Bowl-winning quarterback Tom Brady. Maya was the Los Angeles Daily News Newcomer of the Year after hitting .393 with 34 runs and 14 steals. The UCLA commit was also named the Marmonte League Co-Offensive Player of the Year. Other returning standouts include senior outfielder Kayla Ketring (.436, 44 hits), catcher/third baseman and outfielder Sarah Ketring (.344) and senior second baseman Julia Spear (.302, 26 hits, 18 RBIs).

See the MaxPreps Southern Section softball computer rankings presented by the Army National Guard

2. Huntington Beach
Head coach: Jeff Forsberg
2016 record: 21-7 The Oilers lost some top producers to graduation in June, but return a very strong core of players led by senior pitcher Ivy Davis (8-3, 2.68 ERA), who also hit .375 last season with 24 runs and 19 RBIs. Other top returners include sophomore outfielder Jadelyn Allchin (.418, 19 RBIs), junior infielder Allee Bunker (.418, 17 RBIs) and senior corner infielder Kelli Kufta (.310). Forsberg has led Huntington Beach to 142 wins since 2008.

See the MaxPreps Southern Section softball stat leaders

3. La Habra
Head coach: Steve Harrington
2016 record: 29-2

In his first season as coach, Harrington led the Highlanders all the way to the Southern Section Division 2 semifinals, where they lost to Valley View 3-2. La Habra allowed just 40 runs all of last season while scoring 204. With starting pitcher Hannah Johnson returning, the Highlanders should be in every game.

See the MaxPreps Southern Section softball photos

4. Mater Dei (Santa Ana)
Head coach: Jessica Foley
2016 record: 27-7

The Monarchs lost ace Gabby Sandoval (18-3, 1.75 ERA) to graduation, but return Danielle Kahn (7-3, 3.79) along with a strong contingent of everyday players and big bats led by senior shortstop Neli Casares-Maher (.384, 38 hits, 23 RBIs) and senior second baseman Maddison Flores (.319, 30 hits, 20 RBIs). It was a breakout 2016 season for Mater Dei after back-to-back 19-10 seasons.

See the MaxPreps California softball playoff brackets

5. Valley View (Moreno Valley)
Head coach: Rick Romero
2016 record: 27-2

The Eagles return pitchers Eileen Perez and Lauren Feld to a team that lost in the Southern Section Division 2 championship game to nationally ranked Mission Viejo. Beyond the top pitching returning, Valley View also returns senior Martha Epenesa (.357) and senior outfielder Abbey Bates (.379). Valley View had won 25 straight before the loss to Mission Viejo, including a 3-2 semifinal win over La Habra to stop the Highlanders' 26-game win streak. Epenesa connected on a game-winning two-out triple in that game.