MaxPreps 2017 Connecticut preseason high school baseball Fab 5, presented by the Army National Guard

Video: Diving catch straight into a wall
Watch Tyler Pettigrew of Henley (Klamath Falls, Ore.) make one of the top catches during the 2016 season.


1. Amity Regional (Woodbridge)
Head coach: Sal Coppola
2016 record: 27-1

The Spartans defeated Warde (Fairfield) for the Class LL state championship and posted one of the best records in school history. Amity Regional has won four straight state championships under coach Sal Coppola. While All-Area MVP Eli Oliphant has graduated, All-State junior catcher Pat Winkel returns.
See last season's Connecticut baseball computer rankings

2. Waterford
Head coach: Art Peluso
2016 record: 25-3

Waterford lost in the quarterfinals of the Class M state tournament, but has one of the state's top junior pitchers in righthander Michael Burrows, who has committed to Connecticut. Alexander Petchark, an All-State corner infielder, also returns along with junior second baseman Justin Guerrera.

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3. Darien
Head coach: Mike Scott
2016 record: 25-5

The Blue Wave reached the second round of the Class LL state tournament before being eliminated. Darien returns two of the state's top infielders in first baseman Casey Brown, who is headed to Fordham, and third baseman Peter Marren, who is headed to Bucknell.

See last season's MaxPreps Connecticut baseball playoff brackets

4. Warde (Fairfield)
Head coach: Brett Conner
2016 record: 21-8

The Mustangs reached the Class LL state championship game, falling to four-time state champ Amity Regional by one run. Warde boasts one of the top outfielders in the state in Giacomo Brancato. Warde also returns one of the top junior pitchers in the state in righthander Zach McKay.

See last season's MaxPreps Connecticut baseball stat leaders

5. Bristol Eastern
Head coach: Michael Giovinazzo
2016 record: 21-3

The top seed for the Class L playoffs last year, Bristol Eastern lost in the semifinals to East Lyme. The Lancers won over 20 games for the first time in over a decade in winning the Central Connecticut South Conference championship. Bristol Eastern will miss Nathan Carney and Adrian James, each of whom earned All-State honors last year.