MaxPreps 2016 Washington preseason high school softball Fab 5, presented by the Army National Guard

1. Woodinville
2015 record: 26-2
Head coach: Dani Weir

The Falcons finished third in the 4A state tournament and return five all-league players and seven starters with a goal to improve upon that 2015 finish. Key returnees are junior catcher Skylar Hein (.485, 31 RBIs, errorless fielding), junior pitcher Lauryn Rhinehart (27 RBIs, .451, 1.83 ERA with 1.5 strikeouts per inning), junior Jordyn Boyd (.400), junior Olivia Riener (.426) and junior Taylor Rhinehart (.407, .667 slugging percentage). Other returnees are Gina Wyner and Paige Grover. Freshman Rachel Rhinehart is also expected to see some pitching time.

See last season's Washington softball computer rankings

2. Tahoma (Kent)
2015 record: 21-1
Head coach: Tom Milligan

The key returnee is pitcher Carley Nance (Seattle signee), who was named team MVP, first-team South Puget Sound League North, and to the Seattle Star Times All-Area Team. In 2015, she led her team to a 4A state title when she recorded 116 strikeouts in 114 innings and a 1.71 ERA. Senior infielders Mia Corbin and Delaney Nelson also return. The versatile Corbin, who will play soccer at Cal, stole 25 bases and scored 32 runs while batting .568. Nelson racked up 15 doubles and 39 RBIs. Also back are all-leaguers Kaylee Hazelwood, Kinzi Sanders (Bowling Green), Jensen Burton and Dominique Titus.

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3. Everett
2015 record: 25-2
Head coach: Kyle Peacock

Senior pitcher Sydney Taggart (Pacific Lutheran) led Everett to second place in the 2015 3A state tournament when she went 16-1 (133 strikeouts, 1.71 ERA). Taggart was just as impressive on offense, leading the Seagulls with a .505 average, along with a .945 slugging percentage, eight home runs, 35 RBIs and 38 runs scored. Impressive sophomores Megan Gordon and Rachel Christensen also return. Gordon played excellent defense while batting .455 with 31 RBIs and 11 doubles, while Christensen recorded 44 RBIs and a .500 batting average.

See last season's Washington softball playoff brackets

4. Lake Washington (Kirkland)
2015 record: 21-2
Head coach: Traci Tawney

Pitcher Tori Bivens, who averaged almost two strikeouts per inning, has committed to Boise State and is the key to the Kangaroos' success. Batters hit under .200 against her while Bivens batted over .400. Seniors Hannah Walker (Drexel), Kylisa Hull and Hannah Steele return to give the Kangaroos additional pop at the plate.

See last season's Washington softball stat leaders

5. Enumclaw
2015 record: 23-2
Head coach: Mike Eckhart

Quinn Breidenbach, who has signed with the University of Massachusetts, heads up Enumclaw's 2016 roster. The reigning state Gatorade State POY is arguably Washington's best pitcher after posting a 0.67 ERA (187 strikeouts in 104 innings). She's a monster at the plate too, batting .507. Also back is leadoff hitter Hailey Roberts, who got on base at least once in each of her first 19 games. She finished the season batting .500 with 41 hits and 27 runs scored. Add infielder Madelyn Carlson, who drove in 40 RBIs and hit six homers, and Enumclaw should go deep into the playoffs. Carlson also shared the circle with Breidenbach (0.43 ERA in 48 innings).