With five of the top six teams from last season returning most of their top players, Virginia should be a hotbed for spring softball in 2015.
Bishop O'Connell is prepared for another stellar season in 2015.
Photo by Patrick Kane
MaxPreps 2015 Virginia preseason softball Fab 5, presented by the Army National Guard
1. Brookville (Lynchburg)2014 finish: 27-0
Head coach: Gary Ferguson
The Bees won their first state 3A title with a perfect season capped by a 10-3 win over Turner Ashby. The champions return ace
Jordan Dale who starred on the mound last year as a freshman, going 23-0 Another freshman
Megan Dray had two hits and two RBI in the title game. Brookville outscored opponents 268-57 last season.
View last season's Virginia softball rankings, presented by the Army National Guard2. Turner Ashby (Bridgewater)
2014 finish: 25-2
Head coach: Laura Bowman
Despite the finals' loss, the Knights outscored opponents 283-38. The return top pitcher
Natalie Helmick, who went 25-1 with an 0.89 ERA last year. Turner Ashby hit .399 last year and returns its best hitter Helmick (.506), along with
Bre Bosley (.408) and
Jordan Will (.400). Incoming junior
Kierstin Roadcap hit .425 and seven home runs and
Cana Davis hit .446.
View last season's Virginia softball playoff brackets3. Cosby (Midlothian)2014: 24-1
Head coach: Ray Jeter
After 24 straight wins, the Titans lost to South County 4-1 in the 6A championship game. Cosby lost its two mainstays on the mound but return a number of stout hitters including sophomores
Valerie Johnson (.427),
Mariah Poulston (.393) and
Erin Doyle (.378).
View last season's Virginia softball stat leaders4. Brentsville District (Nokesville)2014: 21-3
Head coach: Amy Beard
The Tigers return one of the top freshmen pitchers in the state from a year ago,
Leah Shipp, who went 20-3 last season with a 0.45 ERA. She also hit .407 nine doubles and nine home runs, also a team best. Other big sluggers were sophomore
Riley Mccarthy (.500) and
Erin Jones (.462).
View Virginia softball pro photo galleries
5. Bishop O'Connell (Arlington)2014: 20-5
Head coach: Tommy Orndorff
After a terrific junior season for
Erin Sweeney (18-5, 1.39), the Knights figure to make more noise in 2015. Especially with the big batting prowess of returners
Shannon Murphy (.410), junior
Anika Metcalf(.395) and
Olivia Giaquinto (.434).
