MaxPreps 2015 Iowa preseason baseball Fab 5, presented by the Army National Guard

1. Kennedy (Cedar Rapids)
2014 finish: 31-7
Head coach: Bret Hoyer

Kennedy returns a pair of all-state players in pitcher Sammy Lizarraga and second baseman Zach Daniels. The duo made the Iowa High School Baseball Coaches Association Super State Team. They also return all-district pitcher Blake Hargens. Lizarraga posted a 7-0 record last season while helping Kennedy post a 31-7 record. Daniels batted .473. Kennedy lost in the first round of the state playoffs.

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2. Waukee
2014 finish: 35-5
Head coach: Dave Dirkx



Waukee returns three all-district players from a team that was the No. 1 seed in the Class 4A state playoffs, but lost in the first round. Back for Waukee are pitcher Matt Mullenbach, who went 9-0 last year, and utility player Malik Moore, who batted .355 and had a 5-0 record. Robert Primrose also returns after posting a 7-0 record last season.

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3. Assumption (Davenport)
2014 finish: 26-15
Head coach: Billy Argo

Assumption won the Class 3A state championship last year, 1-0 over Dallas Center Grimes. Assumption won the game on a walkoff single in the bottom of the seventh inning. The team will have to replace three all-district players in catcher Zach Adrian, second baseman Mick Baker and outfielder Jake Gervase.

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4. Twin Cedars (Bussey)
2014 finish: 36-0
Head coach: Matt Miller



The defending Class 1A state champions have a 36-game win streak entering the 2015 season. Otis Roby returns after earning Super Team all-state honors with a 6-0 pitching record. Twin Cedars will have to replace seven all-district players, however.

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5. Waverly-Shell Rock (Waverly)
2014 finish: 36-3
Head coach: Casey Klunder

Waverly-Shell Rock entered the Class 3A state playoffs as the top seed, but it lost to Assumption in the second round. Outfielder Jake Velky batted .327 last year and earned all-district honors. Catcher Jentry Miller (.322) also returns. Waverly-Shell Rock will have to replace state MVP Eric Willis, who batted .470 last year.