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

1. Eagle
2015 record: 30-1 (5A state champion)
Head coach: Nicole Rollins (first year)

The defending champions are loaded. That's why they are ranked No. 5 in the Preseason Early Contenders and a unanimous No. 1 in Idaho. Eagle will be led by University of California signee Bradie Fillmore, the MaxPreps National Junior of the Year in 2015 when she smashed 13 homers, 68 RBIs, hit .598 and was 15-1 (0.43 ERA, 179 strikeouts in 98 innings pitcher). Eagle lost just one starter and also back are BYU commit Autum Moffat (14-0, 0.68 ERA, 87 strikeouts in 72 IP), Martha Tooley (College of Idaho signee who hit 10 homers and batted .528), Hailey Fisher (Weber State commit, .454), Kelly Kukla (.453), Madison Strickler (Northwest Nazarene signee, .442), Ashley French (.370) and Rachel Menlove (.430). Eagle's 2015 team batted .465 and scored 401 runs (159 extra base hits, including 65 homers) in 2015.

See last season's Idaho computer rankings

2. Coeur d'Alene
2015 record: 28-3
Head coach: Larry Bieber



The Vikings lost twice to Eagle in the 2015 5A state tournament (6-5 and 8-6) and want another shot at the nation's No. 5-ranked team. The 8-6 loss was in the state championship game. Their only other loss was by one run to Richland (Wash.), a team that was runner-up in Washington's 4A. Key returnees are senior pitcher Breana Burke (26-2). She also hit .476 with 11 doubles, 36 runs and 24 RBIs, all-league and all-around standout Mariah Montee and sophomore all-leaguer Kylie Smith (.432 with 11 doubles, 32 runs and 26 RBIs). Burke (Corban commit) was the Inland Empire 5A MVP and gives the Vikings a chance to return to the 5A title game for a third-straight season.

See last season's Idaho softball photo galleries

3. Rocky Mountain (Meridian)
2015 record: 23-6
Head coach: Missy Nichols

Senior all-league players Courtney Pestka (Weber State signee), Hailey Hicks (College of Idaho) and Sammy Lasure and sophomore all-leaguer Megan Briscoe return to lead the Grizzlies. Senior Jade Monotoya has signed with Asbury University. Look for sophomore pitcher Katelyn Wilfert to have a breakout season.

See last season's Idaho playoff brackets

4. Lake City (Coeur d'Alene)
2015 record: 20-9
Head coach: Jesse Lenz



The T-Wolves lost a lot to graduation, but return senior pitcher Michaela Flerchinger (18-7, 1.68 ERA), Heather Hawkes (24 runs, .417 average), Rumor Walker (.329), Ally Dement (.351, 20 RBIs) and Emily Vergeer (.467). Hawkes has signed with Eastern Oregon.

See last season's Idaho softball stat leaders

5. Mountain View (Meridian)
2015 record: 20-9
Head coach: Tim Souza

Senior pitcher Megan Browne (12-5, 2.72 ERA, 115 strikeouts in 115 IP, .408 average with 29 RBIs, 35 runs) will be the key to the Mavericks this season as they seek a spot in the 5A title game that they won in 2014. Browne, who has signed with Eastern Oregon, was the only pitcher to solve Eagle last season when she three-hit them in a 4-2 win to end Eagle's 25-game win streak. Also back are infielder Anna Hawk (.414, 36 RBIs), outfielder Micayla Kelly Harvey (.379, 24 RBIs), catcher-infielder Caitlin Scott (.329) and infielder-pitcher Samm Hamilton (.321), a Jamestown signee.