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

1. Central Mountain (Mill Hall)
2014 finish: 18-4, lost to eventual 4A state champion Souderton in the state quarterfinals
Head coach: Dave Peters

Senior shortstop Jessica Strouse, a two-time all-state choice, tops the list of players back for the Wildcats. Strouse hit .462 last year and is committed to Lock Haven. Senior third baseman Bree Hilty batted in the high-.400s, senior first baseman Mariah Major also hit .400 and junior Sarah Reeder will be the most versatile player on the Wildcats, able to do everything from pitch to play infield. Junior Emily Strouse, Jessica's younger sister, appears to be the Wildcats' best pitcher back after going 4-1 and pitching well in relief during the state playoffs.

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

2. Minersville
2014 finish: 24-3, won PIAA Class A title
Head coach: Dave Homa



The Fightin' Miners won their ninth state title last season, and though lots of senior talent moved on, they also had a freshman class last season that showed it's ready to continue the winning tradition. Outfielder Alyse Ryan, shortstop Reighly Melochick and catcher Morgen Woodford have moved on. So did Reighly Melochick. But Adrienne Kroznuskie will roam the outfield and sophomore first baseman Emily Mealey is back as well.

View last season's Pennsylvania softball playoff brackets

3. Bethlehem Catholic
2014 finish: 20-7, lost to Springfield in PIAA Class AAA title game
Head coach: Rich Mazza

Elyse Cuttic is back for her junior season in the pitchers' circle and that should strike fear into other teams, as she won 16 games last year. Returning junior starters Brooke Rau, Angelys Cotto and Bethanne Brandstetter will be the ones who are responsible for making the offense go. It all starts with Cuttic, though.

View last season's Pennsylvania softball stat leaders

4. Lower Dauphin (Hummelstown)
2014 finish: 21-5, lost to Souderton in Class AAAA title game
Head coach: Steve Alcorn



The Falcons will look to bounce back from a title game loss. Jenna Miller will be back after a .346 average and two homers, and more importantly, hits leader Maddie Lilliock comes back as well after a .493 average and 35 base knocks. Top pitcher Ava Bottiglia was the leading pitcher as a freshman and will continue to evolve.

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5. Springfield
2014 finish: 23-4, PIAA Class AAA state champions
Head coach: Todd Odgers

Springfield won the Central League title but lost in the district final to Radnor. No big deal, because the Cougars ended up winning the school's first PIAA title in any sport. Senior third baseman Lauren Scarpato has moved on, but there are two more Scarpatos left. Courtney Scarpato will return as the top pitcher in her senior season and Ashley Scarpato hit wel over .300 in her freshman year.