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

1. Big Sky (Missoula)
2015 record: 22-6
Head coach: Dennis Staves

Several players from Big Sky were members of the Garden City Little League team that captured the 2015 Little League Senior Softball World Series that defeated teams from Hawaii, the Czech Republic, Canada and Michigan. That's what gives Big Sky the edge over reigning AA state champion Glacier. Among those are pitcher Macey Newbary (Army), who threw 149 innings with a 1.41 ERA and 216 strikeouts while going 18-4. She also hit 11 home runs. Newbary, who was 4-for-4 in the state title game, will have an impressive supporting cast with the return of all-state teammates Morgan Johnson (Montana signee who hit .427 in 2015, with 39 runs batted in and 12 home runs), Kendall Rauk (Eastern Arizona) and Kendall Mooney (Carroll College). Other returnees include all-conference honorees Quincy Preston and Kiley Snow. The 2015 state runner-up had no seniors on last year's roster.

See last season's Montana computer rankings

2. Glacier (Kalispell)
2015 record: 22-3
Head coach: Andrew Fors

Pitcher Ali Williams is back for her senior season after leading Glacier to its first softball state title. Williams overpowered runner-up Big Sky twice during the weekend of the state tournament – first in the semifinals, then in the title game. Can she do it again?  Williams batted .484 with 11 homers, 31 RBIs and posted a 20-3 record with a 1.36 ERA and 272 strikeouts in 154 innings. She pitched four no-hitters. In addition to Williams, all-conference players Erin McHugh (junior first baseman) and Christina DuFour (junior) return. Other returnees include seniors Sarah Frandsen and Christine Connolly and juniors Serra Monroe and Emma Shew.

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3. Billings West
2015 record: 22-6
Head coach: Edward Kriskovich

Kriskovich has plenty to work with, as a trio of all-staters return in Cody Rogers (.582 in 2015), Lexi Mayhood (North Dakota signee) and Mackenzie Mayhood (North Dakota commit). Lexi Mayhood batted .570, hit a team-high seven home runs and was 7-2 with a 1.18 ERA. Kriskovich was a national finalist by the National High School Athletic Coaches Association for 2015 Softball Coach of the Year.

See last season's Montana playoff brackets

4. Russell (Great Falls)
2015 record: 20-4
Head coach: Lindsey Gustafson

Senior pitcher Courtney Schroeder (Carroll signee) and junior Savanna Voyles will be the key for Russell. Add junior Katie Huisman and Russell has a nucleus to make a run at a state title.

See last season's Montana softball stat leaders

5. Conrad
2015 record: 23-4
Head coach: Mick Morris

The Cowgirls might play in the state's smallest classification for softball, but there is nothing small about their program, starting with junior pitcher Tristin Achenbach. As a sophomore, the 6-foot Achenbach was a MaxPreps All-American after a 22-1 season that included a 0.42 ERA with 338 strikeouts in 148 innings pitched. That's an average of 2.3 strikeouts per inning. Achenbagh, who has been clocked at 65 mph, also batted .465 with 32 RBIs. But pitching is her thing. She pitched 13 shutouts, five no-hitters and 10 one-hitters. She had double-digit strikeouts in all but one game and struck out 19 in a game on three occasions. Other key returnees include sophomore Haley Gouchenour (.435), junior Nicole Erickson (.329) and senior Emily Harwood (.320, 19 RBIs). Look for junior shortstop Kinsey Harris to have a breakout season.