MaxPreps 2015 California Central Coast Section preseason softball Fab 5, presented by the Army National Guard

1. Archbishop Mitty (San Jose)
2014 finish: 30-1
Head coach: Brian Yocke

Mitty won its third Central Coast Section title in four years, seventh in nine years and 12th overall with a 7-4 win over Pioneer last year, finishing off a near perfect season. There shouldn't be much drop-off with three returning first-team All-West Catholic Athletic League players: outfielders Haley Wymbs (.360) and Danielle Bowers (.433), plus pitcher Desiree Severance (15-0, 0.63 ERA). Stephanie Kristo (15-1, 1.18), another dominating pitcher, and catcher Megan Nordin (.270) also return to a team that should battle for a mythical national championship. Severance also hit .375 last season in 97 at-bats. Yocke, starting his fifth season, is 113-7.

View last season's Central Coast Section softball rankings, presented by the Army National Guard

2. Valley Christian (San Jose)
2014 finish: 22-8
Head coach: Rigo Gutierrez

If not for Mitty standing in its way last season in both the WCAL and CCS Division II playoffs, Valley Christian likely would have breezed to league and CCS titles. The Warriors return the WCAL Pitcher of the Year in Brynne Fitzpatrick (21-7, 0.60 ERA, 381 strikeouts, 186.1 innings), along with three first-team All-WCAL performers: Catcher-infielder Marcella Kay (.425), infielder Jordan Dawkins (.366) and catcher-infielder Alexis Corini (.279). Another infielder and now senior Jackie Brown (.289) also returns. Gutierrez led Valley Christian to 36 wins the last two seasons. Before that, the Warriors were a combined 75-19 over three seasons.

View last season's California softball playoff brackets

3. Carlmont (Belmont)
2014 finish: 27-3
Head coach: Jim Liggett

The Scots won their eighth CCS title but first since 2004 with an 8-1 win over eight-time defending champion San Benito in the Division I title game last season. Liggett, who has secured more wins than any softball coach in state history, won a combined 98 games the last four seasons. The Scots return No. 2 pitcher from last season Mariko Kondo, along with top hitters Kelsey Ching (.432), Jacey Phipps (.413), Theresa Gomez (.444) and Kirra Loucks (.358). Kondo also hit .395 last season.

View last season's California softball stat leaders

4. Notre Dame (Salinas)
2014 finish: 26-3
Head coach: Tom Cardinale

The Spirits won their 13th CCS title, an 8-2 win over Santa Catalina last season. They return junior Hailey Meyer-Cohon (7-0, 1.43), the team's No. 2 pitcher last season but No. 1 in 2015. The Spirits also return top hitters Sarah Muzik (.489), Marisa Given (.404), Aly Gomonet (.384), Emily Nguyen (.328) and Lauren Pullara (.301).

View the MaxPreps Central Coast Section softball pro photo galleries

5. San Benito (Hollister)
2014 finish: 23-4-1
Head coach: Scott Smith

The Haybaylers return plenty of pitching, including last year's ace Adriana Ibarra. Victoria Silva also figures to contribute mightily to San Benito, which had its remarkable streak of eight straight CCS titles end in the Division I final last year to Carlmont. San Benito knocked off top seed Leland-San Jose 4-3 in the semifinals. San Benito got home runs from Ibarra, Suzy Brookshire and Callie Heen, all current seniors, in that game.