2016 West Virginia Preseason Softball Fab 5, presented by the Army National Guard
1. South Charleston2015 record: 29-11, AAA state runner-up
Head coach: Annette Olenchick
The Black Eagles came up one win short of winning a state title a season ago. The majority of the team is back, led by first-team all-state members
Olivia Orcutt-Lazo (senior outfielder) and
Kiersten Landers (sophomore shortstop/pitcher). Landers was the team's top hitter with a .583 batting average, seven home runs and five triples. She was also 10-3 in the circle. Orcutt-Lazo hit .471 with 20 extra-base hits, including 11 triples. Rounding out a solid infield is senior first baseman
Emily Bostic, sophomore second baseman
Lindsey Burdette and junior third baseman
Kelley Bare.
Amanda McDonald, who was second-team all-state, is coming off a strong season in the circle. The senior will team up with catcher
Kelly Knuckles to make a great battery combination.
See last season's West Virginia computer rankings2. Musselman (Inwood)2015 record: 31-3
Head coach: Shannon DeMasi
Still seeking their first state title, a pair of top-notch pitchers will play a big role in the Applemen's fate this season. Seniors
Sabrina Shroades and
Taylor Stocks were both first-team all-state selections after strong performances in the circle, combining for 18 shutouts. Shroades, a Winthrop commit, surrendered single-digit runs in 100 innings of work, while striking out about two hitters per inning. Stocks, who is heading to Jacksonville to play softball, threw the rest of the innings for the Applemen. Infielder
Ashley Bentley was second-team all-state last year and fellow senior
Kelcie Jenkins led the team in RBI.
See last season's West Virginia softball photo galleries 3. Sissonville (Charleston)2015 record: 28-5, AA state champion
Head coach: Niki Gross
The Indians are coming off their first state title since 2002, and they are hungry for more. Pitchers
Alexee Haynes and
Kendal Parkins are both back after earning all-state honors. Haynes, a three-time first-team all-state recipient, had 84 strikeouts in the circle to go with her .525 average and 37 RBIs at the plate.
Karli Pinkerton, a senior infielder, was second-team all-state a season ago.
Abbey Jordan had a great state tournament and will be relied upon this season at the plate.
See the MaxPreps West Virginia playoff brackets4. Ritchie County (Ellenboro)2015 record: 25-3, AA state runner-up
Head coach: Dave Mossor
With a player like
Kenna DeLancey in the circle and at the plate, the Rebels are certain to make a deep postseason push. As a junior, DeLancey had a 16-1 record, 0.67 ERA with 133 strikeouts in 84 1/3 innings of work. A first-team all-state honoree for all three years and the 2A Player of the Year, DeLancey also hit .602 with 12 home runs and 48 RBIs. The Rebels will need their younger players to step up and fill the void of losing three all-state players to graduation – Rachel Haddox (outfielder), Becca Sullivan and Vanessa Tallman.
See last season's West Virginia softball stat leaders5. Hurricane2015 record: 37-2, AAA state champion
Head coach: Josh Caldwell
Winners of their last 26 games to end last season, the Redskins will have to replace some big shoes. However, six starters are back, led by centerfielder
Jayme Bailey. As a freshman, the Virginia Tech commit was named first-team all-state after batting .403 with eight home runs, seven triples and 47 RBIs. Morehead State verbal commits
Amber Null (senior; .403, 30 RBIs) and
Paige Scruggs (junior; five home runs, 24 RBIs) will provide some pop at the plate. Catcher
Katie Adams, who is headed to Marshall, hit .481 with 33 RBIs.