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

1. Mission Viejo
2014 record: 26-1
Head coach: Troy Ybarra/Tory Mascarenas

The Diablos finished third in the Xcellent 25 last season, blasting their way to a Division 2 Southern Section title behind MaxPreps All-American Taylor McQuillin, who went 25-1 with a 0.72 ERA and 316 strikeouts in 164 innings. The Arizona commit was the Gatorade State Player of the Year. On offense, Alyssa Palomino was a second-team MaxPreps All-American Team member after crushing 17 home runs and 34 RBIs. She is also an Arizona commit. The Diablos are loaded everywhere and major national title contenders.

View last season's California softball rankings, presented by the Army National Guard

2. Archbishop Mitty (San Jose)
2014 record: 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 California softball playoff brackets

3. Pacifica (Garden Grove)
2014 record: 29-4-1
Head coach: Mark Campbell

The Mariners finished fifth in the Xcellent 25 and won the CIF Southern Section Division 1 title. They lose Nicole DeWitt, the All-CIF Division 1 Player of the Year, and star pitcher Kaylee Carlson, but still have tons coming back. Junior Irieanna Naea hit .416 with six homers and 17 stolen bases, and senior shortstop Faith Canfield registered a .402 average to go with four homers.

View last season's California softball stat leaders

4. Chino Hills
2014 record: 30-6
Head coach: Mike Southworth



The Huskies return MaxPreps second-team All-American infielder Tannon Snow, a Washington commit who hit 14 home runs, 21 doubles and drove in 58 runs last season as a junior. Taylon Snow was an All-CIF Team selection as a freshman last season as well, as she hit .567 with five homers and plated 24 RBIs last season. Catcher Kylie Michael hit .340 as a junior and Savanna Corr was 11-1 as a pitcher last season as a junior.

View the MaxPreps California softball pro photo galleries

5. Norco
2014 record: 24-8
Head coach: Richard Robinson

The Cougars waved goodbye to All-CIF Team honoree Ashley Goodwin after a season that saw them finish 25th in the national computer rankings. But they bring back all-Big VIII sophomore pitcher Taylor Dockins and fellow all-league senior catcher Abby Lockman. The eight losses last season were the most since 2010.