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

Video: Catch through the fence
See Male's Jenna Howell make an amazing catch in last year's playoffs.

1. Scott County (Georgetown)
2016 record: 36-2
Head coach: Jeff Portwood

A lot returns to the defending state champions – junior pitcher Kennedy Sullivan (Western Kentucky pledge was 26-2 with 0.84 and 298 strikeouts and batted .363 in 2016), junior shortstop Hannah Davis (Marshall commit after hitting .500 with 42 RBIs), junior catcher Princess Valencia (verbal to Morehead State University after hitting .389), senior Halie Fain (University Tennessee-Martin recruit batted .440 and scored 46 runs), and senior Jessica Tucker batted .355 and signed with University Southern Indiana. 

Others who have signed are Madison Moss (Asbury University), Cece Wittry (Transylvania University) and transfer Megan Murphy, who has committed to Morehead State University. As a junior, she led the state with 28 doubles, while hitting .453 and recording 35 RBI and a .527 on-base percentage. In the circle, she struck out 184 batters while putting together a 1.47 ERA.



Portwood said, "I believe our team strengths will be pitching, hitting and experience with six returning players being on both state championship teams In 2014 and 2016."

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2. East Carter (Grayson)
2016 record: 37-2
Head coach: Derek Calhoun

The Raiders return every player from last year's team that won its first 34 games. One of those returnees is Montana Fouts, and when she is in the circle, East Carter has a chance to beat any team. The Alabama commit led the Raiders to a deep playoff run and a 37-2 record as she recorded a 33-2 mark with 479 strikeouts in 221 innings. She had a 0.48 ERA, allowed just 42 hits and pitched 24 shutouts with a nation-leading 14 no-hitters. Fouts, who was named the Gatorade State POY winner and State 2A POY, pitched nine perfect games. She also batted .446 with six homers and 50 RBIs. The MaxPreps National Sophomore Player of the Year was the lone underclassman who was a finalist for National Player of the Year.

Other key returnees include juniors Eden Mayo, Madison Sparks, Gracie Robinson and Taylor Jackson, senior Caitlyn Tabor and sophomore Lindsay Holmes. Sparks, Mayo and Jackson all batted over .400.

See the MaxPreps Kentucky softball stat leaderboards



3. North Hopkins (Madisonville)
2016 record: 36-5
Head coach: Shannon Peyton Most players return from the 2016 team that hit .414 and scored 358 times (scoring double digits in 21 games). And the biggest two on that list are future Southeastern Conference rivals Kaylee Tow (Alabama) and Mallory Peyton (Kentucky signee).

Peyton is a three-time All-State pick and capped her junior year with a .512 batting average, with 62 hits, 22 doubles and 18 home runs. Peyton also is one of three returning pitchers. Tow, who was named the State 3A Player of the Year, owns Kentucky state single-season records in hits, runs scored and walks and is ranked second in career runs and home runs. As a junior, Tow batted .535, scored 74 runs, had 61 hits, 14 home runs, 21 steals and 46 RBIs. She is a member of the National Junior Women's Softball Team. Also back are Ryleigh Oldham (who hit .447, drove in 48 with 12 doubles, five triples and eight homers) and .369 hitter Lexi Miller. Joining Peyton in the circle are Courtney Patterson and Acacia Gray.

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4. Male (Louisville)
2016 record: 31-10
Head coach: Josh Bloomer

When battery mates return, optimism is always high. For the Bulldogs that means senior pitcher Olivia Suski and catcher Danielle Walls are back for one last shot at a state title.

Suski (Murray State signee) was 23-5 with a 1.80 ERA and 152 strikeouts in 152 innings and batted .330 with five home runs and 30 RBIs a year ago. A varsity starter since eighth grade, Suski has helped the Bulldogs to four straight state tournament appearances. Walls, who will play at Murray State, had a breakout year in 2016, batting .417 with 28 RBIs and an on-base percentage of .507. Bayleigh Masterson is another college signee, having inked with Berry College. Along with Suski (team leader in homers with five) and Walls, Masterson is one of five other .300-plus hitters who return.



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5. East Jessamine (Nicholasville)
2016 record: 38-6
Head coach: Tom Hamm

In compiling 37 wins, recording 402 strikeouts in 258 innings and posting a 1.36 ERA, Murray State pledge Hannah James was one of the state's top pitchers as a sophomore. That makes the Jaguars a contender for this season and next. Offensively, she had a .554 average, 17 homers, 55 RBIs, 20 doubles and 77 hits in 43 games. Also returning are super sophomores Brylee Hage (who batted .531 and scored 62 times) and Kaylee Terral (.381 batting average). If help comes from newcomers, a No. 5 ranking might be too low.