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

1. Central Mountain (Mill Hall)
2014 finish: 18-4, lost to eventual 4A state champion Souderton in the state quarterfinals
Head coach: Dave Peters

Senior shortstop Jessica Strouse, a two-time all-state choice, tops the list of players back for the Wildcats. Strouse hit .462 last year and is committed to Lock Haven. Senior third baseman Bree Hilty batted in the high-.400s, senior first baseman Mariah Major also hit .400 and junior Sarah Reeder will be the most versatile player on the Wildcats, able to do everything from pitch to play infield. Junior Emily Strouse, Jessica's younger sister, appears to be the Wildcats' best pitcher back after going 4-1 and pitching well in relief during the state playoffs.

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

2. Parkland (Allentown)
2014 finish: 24-1, lost in the 4A state semifinals and lost to state finalist Central Dauphin
Head coach: Barry Search



The Trojans have back senior second baseman Samantha Pickar, who hit over .300, senior shortstop Emma Varrato, who batted .350, and they'll be joined by senior outfielders Madison Marshall (.400) and Abby Fritzinger.

View last season's Pennsylvania softball playoff brackets

3. DuBois
2014 finish: 19-4, lost in the state 4A semifinals to eventual state champion Souderton
Head coach: Rick McClelland

The Beavers return a strong core behind the pair of all-state senior sisters Cheyenne McKee and Sierra McKee. Cheyenne is the starting shortstop and Sierra is the Beavers' catcher.

View last season's Pennsylvania softball stat leaders

4. Souderton
2014 finish: 21-5, won the 4A state championship
Head coach: Stephanie Rummel



The Indians return a good nucleus from the team that won the school's first state softball championship. Senior catcher Morgan Yoder, who hit over .300, junior outfielders Dayna Shelly, who batted close to .400, and Angie Carty top the list of returning players. Junior Missy Wiley will be converted from shortstop to third, and junior Savannah Bostwick will play second base. Freshman Alex Scheeler will be Souderton's top pitcher.

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5. Avon Grove (West Grove)
2014 finish: 20-5
Head coach: Julie Hatfield

The Red Devils made history last year, taking home the Ches-Mont League Championship as well as winning the PIAA District 1 Championship for the first time in school history. The Red Devils return Pennsylvania Gatorade State Player of the year in junior pitcher Maggie Balint, who finished the year with 358 strikeouts. Balint's counterpart, senior catcher Alyssa Herion, who hit .403 with six home runs and 21 RBIs, is also back.