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

Special thanks to T.J. Holmes of the Redding Record Searchlight for information included in this article. Follow Holmes at @tjholmes.

1. Pleasant Valley (Chico)
2014 finish: 24-6
Coach: Tony Tallerico

Veteran coach Tony Tallerico has the two-time section MVP coming back in Dominique Jackson, a Fresno State commit who hit .495 with 13 home runs and 43 RBIs. Junior shortstop Haley Mt. Joy was also a terror on offense, batting .505 with 40 runs scored, and senior outfielder Maddie Roach homered three times in addition to a .309 average. Pitching-wise, two players ate up all the innings last season and both return: junior Brittany January and senior True Park.

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



2. Red Bluff
2014 finish: 31-6
Coach: Aubrie Thomas

The Spartans set a school record for wins in Thomas' first season, and that's saying something, as Red Bluff has had good teams in the past. The Spartans split with Pleasant Valley last year. Simpson University commit Bailey Akins hit 11 homers and finished with a .379 average and she will lead the offense. Junior Stefanie Brunello hit .407 last year as well. Each had 16 steals. Akins seems likely to shoulder some of the pitching work, as Hailee Nicholls (27-6) graduated.

View last season's California softball playoff brackets

3. Foothill (Palo Cedro)
2014 finish: 26-11
Coach: Zane Henry

Jessica Seely struck out 244 batters in 146.1 innings last season as a freshman but walked 46. Her maturation will put the Cougars among the section's best, as she also led the offense with five homers last season. Another sophomore, Tayler Walker, should produce big numbers as well. The infielder hit .339 with 18 RBIs to go with six doubles. Senior catcher Emily Harvey is back as well after a team-high 14 doubles last season.

View last season's California softball stat leaders



4. Sutter
2014 finish: 27-9
Coach: Keith Gravel

The Huskies won the Division IV section title last season and bring pack Taylor Pack, a catcher with a gaudy stat line of nine homers and a .564 batting average, plus outfielder Caitlyn Gravel, who hit .446 with 36 stolen bases. Needless to say, the offense should not see a big dropoff. And the pitching will be good as well, as both hurlers from last season return. Seniors Sara Stephenson and Hailey Fear are the ones who handled all the innings in 2014.

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5. Enterprise (Redding)
2014 finish: 27-10
Coach: Mike Haworth

The Hornets earned their first league title in more than 20 years last season but have some talent to replace. Humboldt State commit Mikayla Newham is back in center field after stealing 15 bases and hitting .512. Mikayla Robinette will be a junior after a 17-7 record and 2.71 ERA. Sophomore Katrina Winterburn also pitches and hit .352 at third base.