MaxPreps 2016 North Dakota preseason high school softball Fab 5, presented by the Army National Guard

1. Central Cass (Casselton)
Head coach: Scott Kost
2015 record: 16-2

The Squirrels won their second Class B state title in three years with a 3-2 win over Grafton last season. It will be tough to replace seven senior starters, but among those returning is Madison Sweep, who drove in the winning run over Grafton. Central Cass was state runner-up in 2012 and 2014. The Squirrels return 11 from a 19-person roster in 2015.

See last season's North Dakota softball computer rankings

2. Thompson
Head coach: Matt Chandler
2015 record: 18-3



The Tommies return seven from a roster of 11 last year, including three sophomores who started as freshmen: third baseman Lindsey Stegman, first baseman Erika Thorson and outfielder Kailen Dolleslager.

See the MaxPreps North Dakota softball playoff brackets

3. Fargo Davies
Head coach: Micheal Smith
2015 record: 15-6

The Eagles lost just four seniors off last year's 16-person roster and return pitchers Carla Binde, a senior, and junior Emma Bothum.

4. Century (Bismarck)
Head coach: Kevin Ziegler
2015 record: 11-12

The Patriots lost just three seniors off a 16-person roster and return 10 seniors which should help coach Ziegler turn around that nearly .500 record. Among the pitchers on the roster are senior Hannah Holtz and sophomore Allie Nissan.

5. Shanley (Fargo)
Head coach: Chad Slyter
2015 record: 11-9



The Deacons lost just three seniors off a 14-person roster and return five seniors, three juniors and three sophomores. Shanley returns two pitchers, senior Molly Schmidt and sophomore Ingrid Swanson.