MaxPreps 2017 Connecticut preseason high school softball Fab 5, presented by the Army National Guard

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1. Cheshire
2016 record: 27-0
Head coach: Kristine Drust

The defending Class LL champions have a notable advantage over most of the Fab Five — their ace is back. Senior Abigail Abramson (27-0, 0.61 ERA, 183 IP, 326 strikeouts) was the most valuable player in last season's state championship victory, which was the first in program history. She's just as dangerous at the plate, too (.493, 36 hits, 11 HRs, 32 RBIs). The Rams have six other starters back, including seniors Hannah Salvietti (third base, .369, 29 hits, 24 RBIs, 18 runs, .952 fielding percentage) and Samantha Simione, centerfielder and cleanup hitter. Oh, yeah — those three are Cheshire's only starting seniors. It's not going to be easy to dethrone the Rams.

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2. Fitch (Groton)
2016 record: 27-0
Head coach: Arielle Cooper

The bad news for the Falcons — three-year starting pitcher Caroline Taber graduated and has moved on to Princeton. She was the Connecticut Gatorade Softball Player of the Year as a junior and senior and helped Fitch win the Class L title in 2014 and 2016. The bad news for Falcons' opponents — they have several starters back with lots of experience. Senior Jayden Delaporta takes over pitching duties and gets to throw to All-State catcher Taylor Wolfgang (.410). Fitch has six other seniors in centerfielder Cassie Woods (.375, no errors), shortstop Jonell Hobert (.425), second baseman Nicole Vignato (.400), third baseman Rylee MacMillan (.350) and first baseman/outfielder Susanna Mewha. The Falcons have more than enough talent to both reach their fourth-straight Class L final and defend their crown.

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3. Southington
2016 record: 20-2
Head coach: Davina Hernandez The Blue Knights should be on this list every season, having won a state-record 17 state titles. They didn't win a state title last season as their amazing three-year run as LL champions ended, but they graduated just three starters and have the potential to win their fourth LL title in five seasons. Junior Kara Zazzaro is the most experienced pitcher Southington has back. Eighteen of her 20 appearances were in relief last year, and she gave up just eight hits and struck out 72 in 39 innings. Senior Delaney Picard will get her chance to be a starting pitcher, too. Hernandez strengthened the team's schedule by adding non-conference games against state powers Fitch (May 9), Norwich Free Academy (April 27) and Westhill of Stamford (April 26). "It's not about going undefeated," Hernandez said. "It's about playing the best competition."



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4. Seymour
2016 record: 27-1
Head coach: Ken Pereiras

Four-year starter Raeanne Geffert graduated after one of the most decorated careers in the Wildcats' illustrious history. She started in 108 games, including 96 as a pitcher, and paced Seymour to the Class M title in 2014 and 2016. The Wildcats are softball royalty (they've won seven of their 10 state titles this millennium), thus they'll reload. Junior outfielder Becca Johnson was a pitcher's nightmare last season as she batted .580 with 58 hits, 42 runs and 36 stolen bases. Seniors Caitlyn O'Hara (outfield), Shari Minalga (second base, .373, 24 runs, 19 RBIs), Tori Kellogg (third base, .362), and juniors Beca Findley (shortstop, .460, 40 hits, 37 runs, 32 RBIs, 7 HRs) and Chelsea Avila (first base, .385, 19 RBIs, 14 runs) will help Seymour terrorize the Naugatuck Valley League and Class M again. They'll have to stave off challenges from two-time defending Class S champion Holy Cross (Waterbury) in the NVL, and St. Joseph (Trumbull) in Class M.

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5. Norwich Free Academy
2016 record: 21-6
Head coach: Bryan Burdick

Some people may be taken aback by this pick because the Wildcats don't have the pedigree of the other four teams on this list. They've never won a state title and have only played for one twice. They did, however, give Cheshire one of its toughest games last season (a 2-0 loss in the LL semis), and most of their starters were underclassmen. Senior All-State pitcher Elizabeth Fleming went 19-5 last season with a 0.61 ERA and 311 strikeouts (she pitched a two-hitter with nine strikeouts against Cheshire). Outfielder Hailee Schrader was named All-State as a freshman last season (.400, 34 hits, 24 runs, 16 RBIs). Junior catcher/shortstop Shea Gendron (.425, 19 RBIs), sophomores Sara Cote (shortstop, .462, 42 hits, 30 RBIs, 28 runs) and Brooke Gottshall (outfield/second base, .381, 32 hits, 28 RBIs, 14 runs), Fleming (.442, 42 hits, 31 runs, 19 RBIs) and Schrader are going to ruin many a pitcher's day. There are some mighty big obstacles in NFA's way. It has to contend with Fitch, its Eastern Connecticut Conference rival (the Falcons beat it by a run in all three meetings last year). Class LL should be as unforgiving as ever, too.