Keene has three all-state players returning, but defending champ Spaulding will also challenge along with Goffstown, Portsmouth and Campbell in the New Hampshire baseball #MaxPrepsFab5.
2016 New Hampshire Preseason Baseball Fab 5, presented by the Army National Guard
1. Keene
Head coach: Dan Moylan
2015 record: 15-7
The Birds suffered 10 errors in last year's 12-2 semifinal loss to Spaulding, but coach Dan Moylan returns three all-state players from that squad, including
Fred Zecha, who made the first team, and
Lucas Lower and junior
Sam Cooper, who each made the second team.
See last season's New Hampshire baseball computer rankings
2. Spaulding (Rochester)
Head coach: Paul George
2015 record: 17-5
Spaulding won its first state title since 1984 last year with a 7-1 win over Bedford in the Division I championship game.
Drew Healey is the top returning player after earning all-state first team honors as a junior. The Red Raiders will miss all-state pitcher Josh Gagne and all-state catcher Anthony DiPrizio.
See New Hampshire baseball pro photo galleries
3. Goffstown
Head coach: Adam Lawrence
2015 record: 18-4
The Grizzlies reached the Division II championship game and lost to Windham, 5-4. Goffstown returns two players who earned all-state recognition last year by the state coaches association.
Kyle Perron made the first team while
Nate Proulx earned a spot on the third team.
See last season's New Hampshire baseball playoff brackets4. Portsmouth
Head coach: Tim Hopley
2015 record: 15-4
The Clippers fell to Goffstown in the Division II semifinals, but they return perhaps the state's top player in
Kobie Taylor, an all-state first team pick who has committed to Vanderbilt. Portsmouth also returns third team all-state picks
Charlie Kendall and
Josh Sauerman.
See last season's New Hampshire baseball stat leaders
5. Campbell (Litchfield)
Head coach: Jim Gorham
2015 record: 20-0
Winner of two straight Division III championships, Campbell has won 31 games in a row entering the 2016 season, including 20-0 last year.
Kyle Shaw is the top returning player after earning first team honors last year. Campbell will miss Ryan Glendye, who was the State Player of the Year by American Family Insurance.
