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

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1. Rancho (Las Vegas)
2016 record: 31-9
Head coach: Amanda Zunno

The Rams are led by senior pitcher Samantha Pochop, a first team All-State pick by the Las Vegas Review-Journal who was 19-4 with a sparse 0.51 ERA and 278 punchouts against 18 walks in 177.2 innings. She also hit .387 with seven doubles and 20 RBIs as Rancho advanced to the Division I state final. The Rams also return junior infielder Gianna Carosone, who hit .522 with five homers, nine triples and 34 RBIs. Junior infielder Yvette Sanchez hit .389 with 19 RBIs and 10 doubles.

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2. Shadow Ridge (Las Vegas)
2016 record: 30-7
Head coach: Julia Meyn

Shelbi Denman went 13-2 with a 2.02 ERA and 119 strikeouts in 97 innings as a junior and helped the Mustangs win the Sunset Region title, earning second team All-State honors in the process. She teamed with Mia Voges in the circle. Infielder Alisha Schultz hit .561 with five homers, eight doubles, 59 runs and 41 RBIs, and will be joined offensively by first team All-State catcher Kate Dennis, who hit .474 with four homers, 11 doubles and 47 RBIs for the Mustangs.

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3. Reed (Sparks)
2016 record: 32-5-1
Head coach: Jon Wunder Senior Julia Jensen is back in the circle for the Raiders after a 23-2 junior season where she compiled 303 strikeouts and a 1.44 ERA in 169.2 innings. Junior Aliya Lange also was 8-1 for Reed with a 2.01 ERA and 55 strikeouts in 45.1 innings. Offensively for Reed, Jensen hit .337 with 34 RBIs and a team-high 11 home runs. Jessica Sellers hit .337 in 31 games for Reed and clubbed four homers and added 21 RBIs. Rheanna Smith had 21 RBIs, seven doubles and hit .316 in 79 at-bats.

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4. Palo Verde (Las Vegas)
2016 record: 29-8-1
Head coach: Kelly Glass

The Panthers look for big repeat contributions from senior infielder Cara Beatty, who hit .491 with seven long flies, 12 doubles, 47 RBIs and 46 runs scored. Palo Verde will also look to Taylor Askland in the circle after she went 18-5 last season with a 2.67 ERA and 96 strikeouts. Senior infielder Allyson Snelling hit .438 last season with 37 RBIs, 14 doubles and 31 runs scored. Junior catcher Grace Chavez hit .380 with 10 home runs and 36 RBIs for the Panthers.

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5. Sierra Vista (Las Vegas)
2016 record: 23-7
Head coach: Keith Ulrich

The Mountain Lions will be led by senior pitcher Kalei Watkins, who was 17-3 with a 0.73 ERA. She fanned 185 in 124 innings and allowed 10 walks. Watkins also hit .513 in her junior campaign with 46 RBIs and nine home runs. She rapped out 13 doubles, five triples and scored 39 runs for Sierra Vista. The team has speed on the base paths coming back as senior Taylor DeGuzman swiped 17 of 17 bags last season while hitting .380 with 21 RBIs and 41 runs scored. Sophomore Daelynn Hilton stole 16 bases on 17 attempts and hit .375 with 44 runs scored. Fellow sophomore Mia Buranamonti hit .481 with 34 RBIs, 13 doubles and had an on-base percentage of .537.