Doherty Memorial leads the way, but also watch out for Norton, Agawam, Hampshire Regional and Tewksbury Memorial in Massachusetts softball #MaxPrepsFab5.
Video: Greatest HR-robbing catch of all timeSee a Utah player make a jaw-dropping catch.
MaxPreps 2017 Massachusetts preseason softball Fab 5, presented by the Army National Guard
1. Doherty Memorial (Worcester)2016 record: 22-3
Head coach: Phil Spellane
Doherty is loaded with returning and productive talent as the
Highlanders eye another trip to the MIAA Division 1 final. Senior pitcher
Payton Sylvester (14-2, 1.69 ERA, 119 strikeouts) is one of the top
hitters on the club as well.
Samantha Baldino (.483),
Nikki Genkos (.456) and
Nikki Sereti (.371) also return.
See MaxPreps Massachusetts softball computer rankings2. Norton2016 record: 21-2
Head coach: Wade Lizotte
MaxPreps 2016 All-American
Kelly Nelson was 21-2 with 336 strikeouts in 161 innings as a sophomore last season. The hard-throwing righthander also batted .420. Other key players returning for Norton include
Stephanie Nosky (.518, 27 RBIs, 21 steals) and
Alexandra Frontino (.420, 28 runs).
See MaxPreps Massachusetts softball stat leaderboards3. Agawam2016 record: 18-6
Head coach: Kathy Georgina
The two-time defending Western Mass champs lost their best pitcher, Allison Wheeler, to graduation, but have UMass-Lowell commit
Maria Moccio (.420 average) back, as well as seniors
Sierra Kruser and
Katie Grasso. Georgina believes her other underclassmen are ready to step in to fill some of the remaining holes.
See the MaxPreps Massachusetts softball photos4. Hampshire Regional (Westhampton)2016 record: 22-2
Head coach: Brian McGan
The Red Raiders captured the MIAA Division 2 title last season for a second-straight year by edging Tewksbury in the final. They lose seven seniors from that team but junior third baseman
Danielle McGan batted .625, and junior outfielder
Katy O’Connor tied for the division lead in home runs with five, and hit .372 in 2016.
See MaxPreps Massachusetts softball playoff brackets
5. Tewksbury Memorial2016 record: 22-4
Head coach: Leo DiRocco
Tewksbury has four players returning for their fourth season as starters after coming within a run of winning the MIAA Division 2 title in 2016. The fact that top pitcher
Adriana Favreau is also back gives reason for great optimism for the Redmen, who will be aiming for their 21st-consecutive state playoff berth under the veteran DiRocco.
