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

1. Bay City Western (Auburn)
2014 record: 41-3, Division 1 champion
Coach:  Rick Garlinghouse

The Warriors avenged a 2013 championship loss by defeating Portage Central in the 2014 title game. Garlinghouse loses a trio of all-state performers in Meredith Rousse, Heather Leppek and Kaylynn Carpenter, but expect the Warriors to be right in the thick of it once again in 2015.

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

2. Portage Central
2014 record: 43-4, Division 1 runner-up
Coach: Tom Hamilton



The Mustangs lost to Bay City Western in the Division 1 final and will have to do without all-state players Gina Verduzco and Lea Forester, but will return all-state first baseman Meredith Adams and honorable mention all-state shortstop Brooke Wyman.

View last season's Michigan softball playoff brackets

3. Unionville-Sebewaing (Sebewaing)
2014 record: 40-1, Division 3 runner-up
Coach: Steve Bohn

The Patriots had a perfect season spoiled in the championship game against Gladstone, as they suffered a 2-1 loss. Bohn's squad loses all-state outfielder Ali Hoppe and all-state second baseman Stephanie Neuman, but he will surely have them ready to go.

View last season's Michigan softball stat leaders

4. Utica Ford (Sterling Heights)
2014 record: 30-9-1
Coach: Matt Joseph



The Falcons ran into a buzzsaw in the form of Portage Central pitcher Gina Verduzco, who no-hit them in the Division 1 semifinals last year. Joseph's squad loses all-state catcher Gabby Schefka, but returns captains Alex Sorgi and Kayla Boland.

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5. Reese
2014 record: 28-11
Coach: Andy Behmlander

The Rockets lost to USA in the Division 3 quarterfinals and lose all-state players Kaitlyn Szekely, Cassidy Reif and Monica Hagen, but don't expect Behmlander's team to take too big of a step back. This year they'll be led by senior Mikaela Stricker and sophomore catcher Carlee Selle.