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

1. Parkland (Allentown)
2015 record: 29-1
Head coach: Barry Search

Behind PIAA 4A Pitcher of the Year Aubree Fritzinger, Parkland won 29 of 30 games in 2015 and is 59-2 over the last two years. Fritzinger, a junior, was 27-1 with a 1.31 ERA and 13 shutouts a year ago. She was named PIAA 4A Player of the Year by the Pennsylvania High School Coaches Softball Association. Thirteen players return from last year's squad that won its final 15 games and on 11 occasions scored more than 10 runs. The only loss was in nine innings to Penn North, 2-1. Other key returnees include Chelsea Morgan (an all-state pick as a freshman) and senior all-stater Taylor Knappenberger.

See last season's Pennsylvania softball computer rankings

2. Lower Dauphin (Hummelstown)
2015 record: 26-3
Head coach: Joel Schreiner



Thirteen players return from a team that went 26-3 in 2015. The Falcons will be led by junior pitcher Ava Bottiglia (17-3, 1.10 ERA, 152 strikeouts in 120 IP). Shortstop Kaylee Stoner signed with Mount Saint Mary's after batting .465 with 22 RBIs and she scored 35 runs. Madison Lilliock batted .391 with 37 RBIs.

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3. Cumberland Valley (Mechanicsburg)
2015 record: 24-5
Head coach: Gregg Williams

The returning state 4A runner-up will be led by junior pitcher Jen Hanshaw (23-4, 1.30 ERA and 11 shutouts). Though they lost six starters, the Eagles return eight players from team that lost 4-3 to champion Parkland. The four losses were by a total of five runs.

See last season's Pennsylvania softball playoff brackets

4. Perkiomen Valley (Collegeville)
2015 record: 25-2
Head coach: Dan McLaughlin



The Vikings return all but two starters from a year ago and combined to bat .418 in 27 games. Key returnees are senior pitcher and Rider signee Emily Oltman (1.60 ERA, 1.4 strikeouts per inning), South Florida signee Ana Bruni (.605, 32 runs) and Bloomsburg signee Kelsey Impink (.507, 28 RBIs). Other returnees include Noelle McCullough (.426), Rachael Helverson (.379, 21 RBIs) and Erin Hallahan (.364).

See last season's Pennsylvania softball stat leaders

5. Holy Redeemer (Wilkes-Barre)
2015 record: 23-1
Head coach: Jerome Paulukonis

The Royals won their final 19 games and the 2A state title. They return plenty with pitchers Kristen Coffay (13-1, 1.59 ERA, 131 strikeouts in 92 IP) and Morgan Bienkowski (9-0, 0.38 ERA, 90 strikeouts in 55 IP). The latter also hit .512 to lead the team. Opponents batted just .168 against the pair. Other hitters returning are Brittany Hebda (.413), Olivia Mennig (.371) and Samantha Rajza (.404).