Video: Pitcher strikes out 20 of 21 batters
See Port of Los Angeles' Analise de la Roca pitch a spectacular game.2017 Los Angeles City Section preseason Softball Fab 5, presented by the Army National Guard
1. El Camino Real (Woodland Hills)Head coach: Jodi Borenstein
2016 record: 24-9
The Conquistadors returns 10 of 17 players, but lost most of their pitching. It looks like sophomore
Sophie Pritchard will take over as the team's ace, and
Jordyn VanHook and
Isabella Paganini will also contribute in the circle. Junior catcher
Jessica Parks should help develop the young pitching staff. Other than 2015, El Camino Real has won at least 22 games every season since 2004. Last season was the first for Borenstein, who took over for Lori Chandler after winning 242 games the previous 10 seasons.
See the MaxPreps Los Angeles City Section softball Computer Rankings presented by the Army National Guard
2. Banning (Wilmington)Head coach: Gary Kern
2016 record: 26-10
The Pilots lost both of their top pitchers from last season, but will return junior
Jayda Su'e, who made one relief appearance. Su'e was one of the team's top hitters last season, hitting .367 with a team-high 31 RBIs. She'll likely play catcher, shortstop and third this season. Other players who should lead the way are sophomore outfielder
Gladys Garcia (.352, six homers last season) and junior catcher
Topanga Zamora (.367, 36 hits). Look for
Rena Flores to be the team's pitcher.
See the MaxPreps Los Angeles City Section stats leaderboard3. ChatsworthHead coach: John Forgerson
2016 record: 20-7-1
Forgerson backed up his first season of 30-5 in 2015 with a 20-win season last year. With only five seniors on last year's 20-person roster, the Chancellors' outlook appears very strong in 2017. Among the top players returning are junior outfielder
Ruby Salzman (.432 last season, 35 hits, nine for extra bases), senior outfielder/pitcher
Janice Hernandez (.392, 29 hits, six doubles, eight triples) and senior utility player
Lindsey Lowe (.390, 32 hits, nine doubles).
See the MaxPreps Los Angeles City Section softball photos page
4. Port of Los Angeles (San Pedro)Head coach: Jesse Espinoza
2016 record: 27-5
Analise De La Roca hit .521 with 49 hits last season and was a star pitcher too at 26-4 with a 0.43 ERA.
File photo by Vince Pugliese
The Polar Bears hit .333 as a team last year, but were especially effective in the circle with a 0.69 team ERA. With
Analise De La Roca (26-4, 0.43) scheduled to return, Port of Los Angeles looks in very good shape to repeat last season's stellar campaign. De La Roca struck out a whopping 407 batters in 197 innings and allowed just 66 hits. She was also the team's top hitter, with a .521 average, 49 hits, 37 RBIs, 16 doubles and four home runs.
See the MaxPreps Los Angeles City Section softball playoff brackets5. Carson Head coach: Valentina Nabayan
2016 record: 20-12
Although the Colts lost two big bats and their top pitcher from last season, they should have plenty coming back to contend for a title. The perennial city power will rely largely on returning second baseman
Briana Ryan, who hit .391 last season with 36 hits, 33 RBIs and five home runs. Carson has won at least 20 games 10 straight seasons.
