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

1. Southington
2015 finish: 24-0
Head coach: Davina Hernandez

You expected someone else to be ranked No. 1? The home office for softball has won 70 straight games, including three straight Class LL titles, and a state-record 17 CIAC championships. Not even the graduation of several starters is enough to keep the Blue Knights from starting the season in the top spot. "The nice thing about our team is we're constantly keeping the program successful because we probably have 18 to 22 girls that contribute throughout the season," Hernandez said. "A lot of girls who'll be starters this year played just as much, or close to, what the starters did last year." It's senior Brenna Sarantides' turn to be the lead pitcher this season (she went 7-0 last year with a 0.82 ERA). Senior third baseman Natalie Wadolowski (.366, 24 runs, 19 RBIs) has signed a letter of intent to play at Boston College. Classmate Emily Mankus (utility) batted .500 last spring and scored 16 times.

See last season's Connecticut softball computer rankings

2. Amity Regional (Woodbridge)
2015 finish: 18-7
Head coach: Loren Purcell

The Spartans won the always hazardous Southern Connecticut Conference last spring and are always in the Class LL championship race. They'll contend for both the titles again this year as they return enough talent, including senior pitcher Katie Koshes, who has committed to UConn.

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3. Seymour
2015 finish: 22-5
Head coach: Ken Pereiras

Seymour is among the state's best softball programs and will make a run at its 10th state title. It has so much talent back from last season's Class M semifinalist, led by senior co-captains Raeanne Geffert (pitcher), Amanda Harkins (catcher) and Cassie Rossetti (first base). Geffert is a three-year starter who flustered opponents last spring in the circle (21-3, 0.89 ERA, 278 strikeouts) and at the plate (.376, team-high 32 RBIs, 27 runs). Harkins (.400, 23 RBIs, 18 runs) and Rossetti (.395, 24 RBIs, 23 runs) aren't much fun to pitch to, either.

See last season's Connecticut softball stat leaders

4. East Haven
2015 finish: 19-7
Head coach: Ed Crisafi

The Yellowjackets held their own in the SCC last spring and stunned defending champion Fitch of Groton to win Class L, the program's first state title since 1984. They're well positioned to win their third state championship as most of the team is back, led by senior co-captains Laura Anderson (pitcher-first base), Ali Esposito (outfield), Kara Hanson (pitcher-first base) and Allison Luzzi (shortstop).

See last season's Connecticut softball playoff brackets

5. Fitch (Groton)
2015 finish: 25-1
Head coach: Arielle Cooper

Don't be surprised if the Falcons run into East Haven in Class L again this year, as several starters return. Senior Caroline Taber is a two-time all-state honoree and the 2015 Gatorade State Player of the Year. Junior starters Taylor Wolfgang (an all-state catcher), Jayden Delaporta (P-1B), Cassie Woods (OF), Jonell Hobert (2B) and Rylee MacMillan (3B). Note that Wolfgang, Delaporta, Woods and Hobert all started as freshmen for the 2014 state championship team.