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

Video: Greatest HR-robbing catch of all time
See a Utah player sell out to make the grab in a state title game.


1. Buchanan (Clovis)
2016 record: 26-5
Head coach: Dean Gregory

The defending Division I section champions return with junior ace hurler Molly Millar, who went 18-2 last season with a 1.58 ERA and 159 strikeouts in 137-plus innings. Millar outdueled Clovis' Danielle Lung 2-0 in the section final and the two look to repeat their 2016 performances. Also in the circle for the Bears is senior Katie January, who was 8-3 with a 2.83 ERA. Also an outfielder, January also hit .283 with 17 RBIs and eight doubles. Second baseman Katie Jackson stole 18 bases and hit .396 with 15 RBI seconds on team with 40 hits. See the MaxPreps Central Section softball computer rankings presented by the Army National Guard

2. Clovis
2016 record: 25-5
Head coach: Mike Noel

The Cougars look to return to ride senior hurler and Fresno State commit Danielle Lung, who compiled a 22-3 record with a 1.00 ERA and 268 strikeouts in 168 innings last season.  She tossed two-hitter with 15 Ks despite fever in semifinal against Central. She no-hit Central in 2014 for a section title win. Lung is 43-5 in her career with 412 strikeouts. Junior catcher Jordyn Martinez has a cannon for an arm and power at the plate, senior shortstop Tori Mueller and junior Emily Puente also return for Clovis.

See the MaxPreps Central Section softball stat leaders

3. Mission Oak (Tulare)
2016 record: 23-5-1
Head coach: Dina DaSilva

The Hawks look to defend their Division IV section title behind senior pitcher Mariah Mazon, who finished last season with a 22-3 mark. Mazon had 242 strikeouts in 164.1 innings and ended the season with a paltry .057 ERA for Mission Oak. Offensively, Mazon hit .486 with 28 RBIs and nine home runs for the Hawks. Add in senior Larissa Molezzo and her .316 average, 12 RBIs and two home runs, and sophomore Maddison Servadio, who hit .309 with a .426 on-base percentage, and the Hawks should be in the mix.

See the MaxPreps Central Section softball photos

4. Madera
2016 record: 26-7
Head coach: Judy Shaubach

Junior pitcher Destiny Ricks returns for the Coyotes after a 19-6 season last year. Ricks had a 1.34 ERA, 162 punch outs and was sixth in the section last season in wins. Senior Aaliyah Cuevas hit .377 for Madera with 43 hits, 25 RBIs and two homers and 33 runs scored. Junior Taylor Brooks was second on team batting .400 with an OBP of .461 with 12 RBIs and 22 runs scored. Fellow junior Mikayla Ruiz adds some speed on the basepaths for Madera, having swiped 23 bases last season in 24 attempts.

See the MaxPreps California softball playoff brackets

5. Caruthers
2016 record: 21-4-3
Head coach: Jeff Day

The Blue Raiders look to have super sophomore Sydney Kuma duplicate her freshman efforts after the hurler went 22-4 with 260 strikeouts in 164 innings. In addition to her prowess in the circle, Kuma also got things done at the dish, hitting .622 with 51 hits and 42 hits. She hit nine home runs, 14 doubles and 40 RBIs. Caruthers, which lost the Division V title as the one seed last season, also has Alyssa Sanchez back for her senior campaign after hitting .461 with 25 RBIs and two homers as a junior. Juliette Davila, a senior, also adds some strength to the Blue Raiders' lineup after hitting .349 with 21 RBIs last season.