MaxPreps 2015 North Carolina preseason baseball Fab 5, presented by the Army National Guard

1. Providence (Charlotte)
2014 finish: 27-5
Head coach: Dan Hignight

The Panthers return seven starters from a team that reached the state Final 4 last year. With eight MLB Draft picks in their history, the Panthers could add another this year with Andrew Moritz, an All-American candidate who batted .455 with 13 doubles and 23 RBIs last year. He's joined by returning team captains Andrew Fishel (C, .278) and Austin Leonard (P, 5-0, 0.91 ERA) as well as all-conference selections Trevor Rhyne (1B, .432), Josh Hiatt (SS, .321) and Jake Holtzapple (3B, .368).

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2. Charlotte Christian
2014 finish: 31-4
Head coach: Greg Simmons



The Knights have seven players with returning experience, including all-state pitcher Jackson Kowar, who posted a 10-1-1 record with 131 strikeouts last year. He has already signed with Clemson, but he could be drafted in June. Other top returning players include outfielders Bailey Lewis (.385), Joshua Hall (.368) and Reece Hampton (.421), pitcher Ross Kemp (1-0, 2.13 ERA), first baseman Dillon Carpenter (.277) and infielder John Turley (.299).

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3. Topsail (Hampstead)
2014 finish: 21-8
Head coach: Granville Gehris

The winner of the Class 3A championship last year, Topsail is expected to be even better than last year's championship team, according to coach Granville Gehris. The Pirates have plenty of depth and strong pitching, led by potential MLB Draft pick Clark Cota, a 6-foot-2, 210-pound senior who is throwing up to 92 mph. He's joined by Sam Hall, a sophomore ranked among the top in his age group in the country, and Sam Luchansky, a submarine pitcher who did not give up an earned run last year. Top position players include Danny Wilson at third and Jake Madole at shortstop. Both are University of North Carolina-Asheville commits. Also back is catcher Trader Flora, a 6-4, 215-pound prospect who could be a late round draft pick.

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4. West Forsyth (Clemmons)
2014 finish: 29-5
Head coach: Brad Bullard



The defending Class 4A state champions return two starting pitchers from last year's team and the state championship MVP. Jake Mayhew, a right-handed pitcher, went 5-1 last year with a 2.90 ERA and 40 strikeouts while Alex Vanderstok, a pitcher and shortstop, earned all-state honors and state tournament MVP recognition after batting .361 with eight home runs and 25 RBIs. Brett Saunders also returns behind the plate after batting .262 with 21 RBIs as a junior.

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5. Ardrey Kell (Charlotte)
2014 finish: 28-3
Head coach: Hal Bagwell

Ardrey Kell has been one of the more successful programs in North Carolina since its inception during the 2008 season. Since then the Knights have averaged 25 wins a season with a Class 4A state championship in 2009. While Ardrey Kell loses the bulk of its pitching corps, it does return one of the top juniors in the country in Aaron Pilkington, who batted .400 last year with 19 home runs and 43 RBIs.