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

1. Turners Falls (Montague)
Head coach: Gary Mullins
2015 record: 25-1

Four all-state players return, including pitcher MacKenzie Phillips, who struck out 272 and allowed only 16 runs in 155 innings pitched. She allowed five runs in six playoff games for the Indians, striking out 48 batters en route to the school's seventh state championship.

See last season's Massachusetts softball computer rankings

2. St. Peter-Marian (Worcester)
Head coach: Steve Wagner
2015 record: 25-0



Wagner achieved perfection last year, concluding the dream season with a 3-0 win over Silver Lake Regional in the Division 1 state title game. The Guardians will have to deal with the departure of Gatorade state Player of the Year Erin Gallo, but there is plenty of talent ready to step up.

See Massachusetts softball photo galleries

3. Silver Lake Regional (Kingston)
Head coach: Tony Pina
2015 record: 24-2

The Lakers ran into a buzzsaw SPM team in the state final, but Pina and his squad have no reason to hang their heads. They should be title contenders once again in 2016 with the return of senior Maddy Barone, one of the state's top pitchers.

See last season's Massachusetts softball playoff brackets

4. Agawam
Head coach: Kathy Goergina
2015 record: 18-6



Agawam took home the Western Mass. D-1 title, but fell to eventual champion St. Peter-Marian in the state semifinals. The Brownies will return two of their three all-state players in junior Maria Moccio (.642 OBP) and senior Allison Wheeler (153 strikeouts as a pitcher, .457 with 2 home runs at the plate).

See last season's Massachusetts softball stat leaders

5. Pittsfield
Head coach: Greg Marchbanks
2015 record: 19-3

The Generals were oh-so-close to winning the Western Mass. D-1 title last season, falling to Agawam in a tense 2-1 contest. Pittsfield will be out for revenge this season with the return of all-state shortstop Allie Hunt (.463 avg, 7 doubles, 3 triples, 2 home runs). Fellow all-state selection Julia Murphy (107 strikeouts in 89 innings, 6 shutouts) will return in the circle.