Binghamton starts with an 18-game win streak; Orchard Park, John Jay-East Fishkill, North Rockland and Commack also are contenders in the New York softball #MaxPrepsFab5.
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See a Utah player make a stunning catch in a state title game last year.
MaxPreps 2017 New York preseason softball Fab 5 presented by the Army National Guard
1. Binghamton
2016 record: 22-2
Head coach: Joe Mancinelli
An 18-game win streak carried Binghamton to the school's first state title last year. There's plenty of optimism that the Patriots can pull off a repeat feat in 2017. Senior
Paige Rauch is a poised and polished pitcher who combines experience and skill. The offense features classmate
Kaily LaForce, who plays multiple positions.
See the MaxPreps New York softball computer rankings presented by the Army National Guard
2. Orchard Park
2016 record: 18-9
Co-head coaches: Brittany Bonetto, Josh Dannecker
Orchard Park was denied a second-straight state title in a 4-1 loss to Binghamton in the NYSPHSAA Class AA championship game. But right-handed pitcher
Samantha Frappa returns for her senior year as OP hopes to reclaim the state's top prize. Also back for the Quakers is centerfielder
Penny Lenard and middle infielder
Lillian Wozniak.
See the MaxPreps New York softball stat leaderboards
3. John Jay (Hopewell Junction)
2016 record: 22-2
Head coach: Mike Crocco
Senior starter
Ally Muller is one of top pitchers in the state and regarded as tops at her position in Section 1. She's also a dangerous hitter. Also back are senior second baseman
Britney Guzman, senior outfielder
Nina Simms and talented sophomore
Dominque Russo.
See the MaxPreps New York softball photos
4. North Rockland (Thiells)
2016 record: 22-2
Head coach: Jackie DiNuzzo
Bella Chiorazzi, North Rockland
File photo by Daniel Carver
Senior captain
Bella Chiorazzi leads a North Rockland team that ended 2016 with a 6-2 loss to John Jay-East Fishkill in the Section 1 Class AA title game. The Red Raiders entered the contest as the state's top-ranked squad.
See the MaxPreps New York softball playoff brackets
5. Commack
2016 record: 21-5
Head coach: Harold Cooley
Commack won the Class AA title in Suffolk County, beating East Islip in the final. Junior centerfielder
Ariana Arato is one of the top returnees on Long Island.
Multimedia news and sports editor and producer Joe Lombardi is managing editor of DailyVoice.com,
as well as the primary author of the most recent edition of "Lacrosse
for Dummies." Follow Joe on Twitter @Joe_Lombardi.
