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

1. McCracken County (Paducah)
2014 record: 41-7
Head coach: Tony Hayden

The Mustangs lost just two seniors from last year's team and return one of the state's top catchers in Rachel Ridolfi, who has signed a letter of intent to play at Union University. Junior pitcher Audrey Dodd was named second team (3A) all-state by the Kentucky Softball Coaches Association. The Mustangs came within a run of winning their first state title last year, losing in the finals to Scott County. Junior infielders Keely Barnes and Madeline Wooten, who made the All-Tournament Finals team, are other key returners.

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

2. Male (Louisville)
2014 record: 31-13
Head coach: Josh Bloomer



Male won three straight state tournament games before being eliminated by eventual champion Scott County. The Bulldogs return two key pitchers, junior Olivia Suski (10-3, 3.48 ERA) and Hannah Poynter (3-1, 2.57), along with a number of key hitters like Amanda Mciver (.424), Danielle Walls (.390) and Suski (.388).

View last season's Kentucky softball playoff brackets

3. Scott County (Georgetown)
2014 record: 34-11
Head coach: Jeff Portwood

The defending state champions graduated just three seniors off a 13-person roster and return junior second baseman Taylor Ricketts, who hit a grand slam to lead the Cardinals to a 7-6 win over McCracken County in the Worth/KHSAA state title game. Scott County was ranked sixth heading into the tournament and won its first state crown. Other key returners are Samantha Luckett and Hannah Davis.

View last season's Kentucky softball stat leaders

4. Ballard (Louisville)
2014 record: 32-7
Head coach: Alan Jones

The Bruins return one of the top sophomore pitchers in the state in Sarah Brill (9-2, 2.83) along with incoming freshman Shelby Kelley (2-1, 1.07). Ballard hit .363 as a team last season and returns some big hitters in Hannah Scinta (.372, 11 doubles), Catie Barber (.450), Skyelar Houston (.392) and Alexis Hull (.351).



View the MaxPreps Kentucky softball pro photo galleries

5. Mercy (Louisville)
2014 record: 30-11
Head coach: Josh Bloomer

Since 2011, Bloomer has led the Jaguars to 128 wins against just 37 defeats. They lost just three seniors off last year's 17-person roster, and return pitcher Leigh Ellen Thomas, who pitched a perfect game and struck out 17 in a 5-0 district semifinal win over Jeffersontown. That improved the lefty's record to 20-4 at the time.