MaxPreps 2017 New Jersey preseason high school softball Fab 5, presented by the Army National Guard

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1. Immaculate Heart Academy (Washington Township)
2016 record: 30-1
Head coach: Diana Fasano

IHA lost its second game of the 2016 season, 4-3, then ran the table to another state title. Dating back to 2011, its won-loss record is 196-11. Is another 30-win season in store? The Blue Eagles lost a lot to graduation, but three of the top players from last year's lineup are back. Pitcher Olivia Sprofera (Providence recruit) is back, as are Connecticut signee Reese Guevarra (NJ.Com Hitter of the Year with a .495 average and 44 runs scored), and Reagan Jones (.321 batting average). Sprofera was 23-1 with 259 strikeouts and allowed just nine earned runs (0.37 ERA). In winning 29 straight to end the season, IHA recorded 18 by shutouts, the majority by Sprofera.

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2. Mount St. Dominic Academy (Caldwell)
2016 record: 24-4
Head coach: Lorenzo Sozio

Pitcher Kelsey Oh returns along with five other players who batted over . 300 last season. Oh averaged nearly two strikeouts per inning and opponents batted only .130 against her. She also batted .435. Also back are Julianna Kocenski (who batted .381 with 29 RBIs), Dani Dabroski (batted .408), Sarah Taffett (.batted .341) and .400 hitter Marissa Jenkins. Oh, who has signed with South Carolina, is a two-time Gatorade State Player of the Year and a two-time MaxPreps All-American.

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3. West Essex (North Caldwell)
2016 record: 27-2
Head coach: Andrea Mondadori Llauget A year ago, the Knights lost just twice and in between those setbacks, they won 25 times, allowing just 29 runs and shutting out nine foes. Much of the same lineup returns, including top pitcher Sami Huetter (18-3). Also back are Bridget Betley, Alexa Vardiman, Lily James and Amanda Garofalo. They combined for more than a dozen postseason honors.

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4. Donovan Catholic (Toms River)
2016 record: 24-5
Head coach: Debbie Schwartz



The Griffins will be a very young team again, but every starter is returning. With five freshman starters a year ago, the Griffins reached the Non-Public A state finals, losing 2-1 to Immaculate Heart Academy. Keying the long list of returning players are sophomore pitcher Lindsay Nelson (17-4, with a 1.11 ERA and 163 strikeouts in 126 innings), Lindsey Hay (.450 with 32 RBIs), Kati Vazquez (.476) and Alexa Pagano (.397).

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5. Notre Dame (Lawrenceville)
2016 record: 21-10
Head coach: Tim O'Reilly

Three college signees and six seniors will head up Tim O'Reilly's first year as head coach. The future collegians are Brighid Douglas (Quinnipiac), Angela Giampolo (Villanova) and Peyton Morrell (Penn State-Altoona).