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

1. Dickson County (Dickson)
2014 Record: 45-7, AAA champion
Head coach: Shane Buchanan

Dickson County won its second state title by defeating Gibbs in the AAA championship last year. Buchanan's squad will be powered by all-state super junior Brooklin Lee, who struck out 16 in a two-hitter in last season's title game. The Lady Cougars only lose one senior from last year, so expect them to be the title favorites once again.

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

2. Gibbs (Corryton)
2014 Record: 50-6, AAA runner-up
Head coach: Carol Mitchell



The Lady Eagles came up just short of their goal last year, losing to Dickson County in the AAA title game. Mitchell's squad will be out for revenge with the return of all-state junior pitcher/third baseman Abby Hicks. Mitchell won her 700th game last season, so she is a favorite to get Gibbs back to the title game.

View last season's Tennessee softball playoff brackets

3. Baylor (Chattanooga)
2014 Record: 37-4-1, Division II Class AA runner-up
Head coach: Kelli Smith

After three-peating from 2011-2013, the Red Raiders lost to Girls Prep in last year's Division II Class AA title game. Smith has been a part of all eight state titles for Baylor (two as a player, six as a coach), so the championship pedigree is certainly there. Pitcher Kayla Hughes was dominant last year as a freshman, earning all-state honors, and the Red Raiders feature multiple other sophomores who will make them a title contender yet again.

View last season's Tennessee softball stat leaders

4. Soddy Daisy
2014 Record: 37-10, 3rd place in AAA
Head coach: Wes Skiles



It was a bitter end to the 2014 season for Skiles and the Lady Trojans, who rallied from from five runs down against Gibbs only to lose on a walk-off double. The win would have put Soddy Daisy into the title game. The Lady Trojans lose Haley Reynolds, their only all-state player, but expect Skiles to have his team ready for another deep run in the playoffs.

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5. Oakland (Murfreesboro)
2014 Record: 39-16
Head coach: Janice Morey

The Lady Patriots are out for redemption after a disappointing finish to the 2014 season. Soddy Daisy pulled off a squeeze play in extra innings to send Oakland packing. This year Morey will rely on all-state pitcher Lacie Rinus, who is back for her junior year. Fellow all-state players Abby Sargent and Savannah Lee will provide senior leadership.