MaxPreps 2017 Michigan preseason high school softball Fab 5, presented by the Army National Guard

Video: Greatest HR-robbing catch of all time
See a Utah outfielder sell out in last year's state title game.


1. St. Mary Catholic Central (Monroe)
2016 record: 28-5
Head coach: John Morningstar

Senior Meghan Beaubien (Michigan signee), who has led the team to back-to-back D-3 state titles, is back. She is arguably one of the top high school pitchers either side of the Rockies. As she goes, so go the Kestrels. Morningstar says he's never seen anyone better than his lefty. Beaubien is a two-time Gatorade Michigan Player of the Year (2015-16), and a three-time Michigan first team All-State selection. Over the last two seasons, she has posted a 58-4 record with a 0.35 ERA and 851 strikeouts in 384 innings, an average of 2.2 strikeouts per inning.

In last year's D-3 state tournament, Beaubien pitched perfect games in the semifinal and championship game as the Kestrels repeated as state champs. She was 25-1 with 394 strikeouts and allowed just 10 earned runs during the season. Her lone loss was 1-0 to Mercy (Farmington), the state large school champion. Mercy finished the year ranked No. 14 in the MaxPreps Xcellent 25 National Softball Rankings presented by the Army National Guard.

Add Kenna Garst (committed to Eastern Michigan), who led the Kestrels with eight homers and handles Beaubien behind the plate, and junior pitcher Kelsey Barron, and the Kestrels are more than a one-player team.

See the MaxPreps Michigan softball computer rankings

2. Mercy (Farmington Hills)
2016 record: 43-2
Head coach: Alec Lesky

The state large school champs (43-2) graduated just three players and return two teammates who made the MHSAA record book last season – senior Sophie Van Acker (Lehigh signee) with 82 hits and junior Anna Dixon with 72. The team's 510 hits were second-most in MHSAA history and only two off the record. And with so many returnees that mark could be in jeopardy in 2017. Other notable postseason award winners include Nicole Belans, Mary Reeber and Shannon Gibbons. Mercy's two 2016 losses were one-run affairs (1-0 and 2-1).

See the MaxPreps Michigan softball pro photo galleries

3. Dakota (Macomb)
2016 record: 38-3, state large school runner up
Head coach: Rick Fontaine Pitcher Kendahl Dunford (38 wins and 1.47 ERA), and seniors Kattie Popko, Claire Hamlin and Julia Salsibury, plus junior Corbin Hison all return. Dunford, who has signed with Florida International University, struck out 231 batters and during a five-game stretch in the postseason had a 35-inning scoreless streak. Hison batted .426, drove in 37 runs and hit three homers and has verbally committed to Canisius. Hamlin batted .506 and drove in 15 runs. Salisbury (Saginaw Valley State signee) batted .466 and hit three homers.

See the MaxPreps Michigan softball stat leaders

4. Swan Valley (Saginaw)
2016 record: 40-3
Head coach: Tom Kennelly

The Vikings opened 2016 with 32 straight wins and finished the season scoring 429 runs and batting .464. Most of the players on that team are back, including MaxPreps All-American Lauren Addy (national leading 89 stolen bases, 67 runs and a .583 batting average), Rebecca Curtis (.579, 32 extra-base hits, 81 hits and 56 RBIs), and Northwood signee Grace Dutoi (.500 batting average and 50 RBI). The Vikings also have speed to burn. In addition to Addy, Curtis stole 30 bases and senior Carlee Larsen swipe 32. Their speed creates a lot of scoring opportunities. And on top of all that they are pitching strong with the return of juniors Callie Burgess (24-1, 180 strikeouts in 149 innings and a 1.22 ERA) and Kaylynn Gulliver (0.86 ERA, 14-2).

See the MaxPreps Michigan softball playoff brackets

5. Richmond
2016 record: 32-9
Head coach: Howard Stuart

As a freshman, Erin Shuboy went 17-3 with a 1.08 ERA and struck out 199 hitters in 143 innings while only walking 24 in leading the Blue Devils to the state D-2 title. She also hit .323 with 23 RBIs en route to All-State honors. Add junior Carley Barjaktarovich (a first team All-State selection after hitting .515 with 23 stolen bases) and a repeat could be in the cards.