MaxPreps 2017 Pennsylvania preseason softball Fab 5, presented by the Army National Guard

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1. Hempfield Area (Greensburg)
2016 record: 26-2
Head coach: Bob Kalp

Led by Notre Dame recruit and state Player of the Year Morgan Ryan, the Spartans won the PIAA 4A title last season and finished with a 14-game winning streak. Ryan, now a senior, was 23-3 with a 1.11 ERA and 188 strikeouts in 2016. She also hit .333 with six home runs and 30 RBIs. Ryan will get support from Madi Stoner (a Hillsdale signee), Jenna Osikowicz (Seton Hall) and Kara Cook.

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2. Lower Dauphin (Hummelstown)
2016 record: 23-4
Head coach: Joel Schreiner

Lower Dauphin was knocked out of the PIAA 4A playoffs last season by Mifflin County in the first round, but should make another strong run this spring. Though the Falcons will have some offensive spots in the lineup to fill, they still have standout pitcher Ava Bottiglia (208 strikeouts in 2016). Chade Stewart (.429 average) and Hannah Swartz (.427) return with their lofty batting averages from a year ago.

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3. Holy Redeemer (Wilkes-Barre)
2016 record: 24-3
Head coach: Jerome Paulukonis

The reigning PIAA 2A champions lost just one starter from their 2016 team and are loaded with quality pitching. Senior Kristen Coffay (13-2, 1.36 ERA, 101 strikeouts) heads a staff that also includes junior Morgan Bienkowski (8-0). Sophomore Tiana Wren batted .483 as a freshman a year ago, leading a team that collectively hit .335.

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4. Parkland (Allentown)
2016 record: 22-4
Head coach: Barry Search

Twenty-game winner and three-time All-State pick Aubree Fritzinger leads a Parkland team that was knocked out of the state tournament last season in the first round in an 11-inning setback. Fritzinger (20-4, 1.19 ERA) also hit .316 in 2016. Alyssa Oakley (.436) and Chelsea Morgan (.424) are the Trojans' top returning hitters.

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5. Moniteau (West Sunbury)
2016 record: 24-2
Head coach: Lennie Claypoole Claypoole takes over as coach for Dan Beebe, who is now an assistant at Butler County College. Claypoole inherits a team that reached the PIAA 2A final in 2016 before losing to Holy Redeemer. The DeMatteis twins (Kennedy and Kristina) are back for their senior seasons, and seniors Cortney Claypoole (52 RBIs, 24 extra base hits) and Gabby Stewart (a team-high .645 average) make it likely the Warriors will again venture deep into the state tournament.