MaxPreps 2017 Massachusetts preseason softball Fab 5, presented by the Army National Guard

Doherty Memorial leads the way, but also watch out for Norton, Agawam, Hampshire Regional and Tewksbury Memorial in Massachusetts softball #MaxPrepsFab5.

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Mar 15, 2017, 4:04pm
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MaxPreps 2017 Massachusetts preseason softball Fab 5, presented by the Army National Guard

1. Doherty Memorial (Worcester)
2016 record: 22-3
Head coach: Phil Spellane

Doherty is loaded with returning and productive talent as the Highlanders eye another trip to the MIAA Division 1 final. Senior pitcher Payton Sylvester (14-2, 1.69 ERA, 119 strikeouts) is one of the top hitters on the club as well. Samantha Baldino (.483), Nikki Genkos (.456) and Nikki Sereti (.371) also return.

See MaxPreps Massachusetts softball computer rankings

2. Norton
2016 record: 21-2
Head coach: Wade Lizotte

MaxPreps 2016 All-American Kelly Nelson was 21-2 with 336 strikeouts in 161 innings as a sophomore last season. The hard-throwing righthander also batted .420. Other key players returning for Norton include Stephanie Nosky (.518, 27 RBIs, 21 steals) and Alexandra Frontino (.420, 28 runs).

See MaxPreps Massachusetts softball stat leaderboards

3. Agawam
2016 record: 18-6
Head coach: Kathy Georgina
Graphic by Ryan Escobar
The two-time defending Western Mass champs lost their best pitcher, Allison Wheeler, to graduation, but have UMass-Lowell commit Maria Moccio (.420 average) back, as well as seniors Sierra Kruser and Katie Grasso. Georgina believes her other underclassmen are ready to step in to fill some of the remaining holes.

See the MaxPreps Massachusetts softball photos

4. Hampshire Regional (Westhampton)
2016 record: 22-2
Head coach: Brian McGan

The Red Raiders captured the MIAA Division 2 title last season for a second-straight year by edging Tewksbury in the final. They lose seven seniors from that team but junior third baseman Danielle McGan batted .625, and junior outfielder Katy O’Connor tied for the division lead in home runs with five, and hit .372 in 2016.

See MaxPreps Massachusetts softball playoff brackets

5. Tewksbury Memorial
2016 record: 22-4
Head coach: Leo DiRocco

Tewksbury has four players returning for their fourth season as starters after coming within a run of winning the MIAA Division 2 title in 2016. The fact that top pitcher Adriana Favreau is also back gives reason for great optimism for the Redmen, who will be aiming for their 21st-consecutive state playoff berth under the veteran DiRocco.

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