MaxPreps 2017 West Virginia preseason high school softball Fab 5, presented by the Army National Guard

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1. Spring Valley (Huntington)
2016 record: 10-1
Head coach: Allison Hatfield

The Timberwolves lost a bit to graduation, but return first team All-State infielder Haley Caldwell, who posted a .535 batting average last season. In addition, she belted 15 home runs and added 53 RBIs and 14 two-baggers. Returning with Caldwell for Spring Valley is Kathryn Bailey Adkins, a sophomore pitcher who will be relied upon to lead in the circle.

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2. Huntington
2016 record: 17-9
Head coach: Darren Woody

The Highlanders will rely on senior Sydney Sipple, a two-time All-State honoree after being named captain of the second team last season. In her junior campaign, Sipple hit .405 with 29 runs for Huntington. Junior utility player Erika Williams also was a second team All-State player for the Highlanders last season.

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3. Hurricane
2016 record: 34-5
Head coach: Josh Caldwell

The state champion Redskins repeated as AAA champions despite losing a ton of talent from the 2015 title team. Senior Katie Adams led Hurricane in the circle last season, earning first team All-State honors as a utility player. She was 29-4 with a 1.55 ERA, and added a .446 batting average with six home runs and 55 RBIs to her resume. Joining Adams in search of the three-peat will be junior infielder Jayme Bailey, a repeat All-State honoree, who finished 2016 hitting .488 with three homers, 35 RBIs and 68 runs scored. Hurricane sophomore Caiti Mathes had a breakout freshman campaign, hitting .496 with 12 home runs and 52 RBIs.

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4. Cabell Midland (Ona)
2016 record: 23-7
Head coach: Jeanne Lunsford

The Knights have senior Kati Kelley returning after hitting .419 and earning All-State special honorable mention honors. Kelley had 20 RBIs and plated 29 runs for Cabell Midland. Joining Kelley is Olivia Canterbury, who hit .338 with a team-leading 26 RBIs and three home runs, and was 3-1 with a 0.82 ERA in 25 innings pitched. Junior Kirya Kingery hit .376 for the Knights and swiped 10 bases last season.
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5. Wyoming East (New Richmond)
2016 record: 10-4
Head coach: Robert Warner

The sky's the limit for sophomore Holly Brehm after a stellar freshman year that saw her win Class AA first team All-State pitcher honors. She's committed to Ohio University and finished last season with a 1.30 ERA and fanned 179 in 97 innings. She also hit .418 for the Warriors with three home runs. Junior Kari Walker has home run power for Wyoming East and junior Katie Griffith should also provide depth on offense.