MaxPreps 2016 West Virginia preseason high school softball Fab 5, presented by the Army National Guard

1. South Charleston
2015 record: 29-11, AAA state runner-up
Head coach: Annette Olenchick

The Black Eagles came up one win short of winning a state title a season ago. The majority of the team is back, led by first-team all-state members Olivia Orcutt-Lazo (senior outfielder) and Kiersten Landers (sophomore shortstop/pitcher). Landers was the team's top hitter with a .583 batting average, seven home runs and five triples. She was also 10-3 in the circle. Orcutt-Lazo hit .471 with 20 extra-base hits, including 11 triples. Rounding out a solid infield is senior first baseman Emily Bostic, sophomore second baseman Lindsey Burdette and junior third baseman Kelley Bare. Amanda McDonald, who was second-team all-state, is coming off a strong season in the circle. The senior will team up with catcher Kelly Knuckles to make a great battery combination.

See last season's West Virginia computer rankings

2. Musselman (Inwood)
2015 record: 31-3
Head coach: Shannon DeMasi



Still seeking their first state title, a pair of top-notch pitchers will play a big role in the Applemen's fate this season. Seniors Sabrina Shroades and Taylor Stocks were both first-team all-state selections after strong performances in the circle, combining for 18 shutouts. Shroades, a Winthrop commit, surrendered single-digit runs in 100 innings of work, while striking out about two hitters per inning. Stocks, who is heading to Jacksonville to play softball, threw the rest of the innings for the Applemen. Infielder Ashley Bentley was second-team all-state last year and fellow senior Kelcie Jenkins led the team in RBI.

See last season's West Virginia softball photo galleries

3. Sissonville (Charleston)
2015 record: 28-5, AA state champion
Head coach: Niki Gross

The Indians are coming off their first state title since 2002, and they are hungry for more. Pitchers Alexee Haynes and Kendal Parkins are both back after earning all-state honors. Haynes, a three-time first-team all-state recipient, had 84 strikeouts in the circle to go with her .525 average and 37 RBIs at the plate. Karli Pinkerton, a senior infielder, was second-team all-state a season ago. Abbey Jordan had a great state tournament and will be relied upon this season at the plate.

See the MaxPreps West Virginia playoff brackets

4. Ritchie County (Ellenboro)
2015 record: 25-3, AA state runner-up
Head coach: Dave Mossor

With a player like Kenna DeLancey in the circle and at the plate, the Rebels are certain to make a deep postseason push. As a junior, DeLancey had a 16-1 record, 0.67 ERA with 133 strikeouts in 84 1/3 innings of work. A first-team all-state honoree for all three years and the 2A Player of the Year, DeLancey also hit .602 with 12 home runs and 48 RBIs. The Rebels will need their younger players to step up and fill the void of losing three all-state players to graduation – Rachel Haddox (outfielder), Becca Sullivan and Vanessa Tallman.



See last season's West Virginia softball stat leaders

5. Hurricane
2015 record: 37-2, AAA state champion
Head coach: Josh Caldwell

Winners of their last 26 games to end last season, the Redskins will have to replace some big shoes. However, six starters are back, led by centerfielder Jayme Bailey. As a freshman, the Virginia Tech commit was named first-team all-state after batting .403 with eight home runs, seven triples and 47 RBIs. Morehead State verbal commits Amber Null (senior; .403, 30 RBIs) and Paige Scruggs (junior; five home runs, 24 RBIs) will provide some pop at the plate. Catcher Katie Adams, who is headed to Marshall, hit .481 with 33 RBIs.