Immaculate Heart Academy is once again expected to be one of the best in New Jersey.
Photo by Daniel Coppola
2016 New Jersey Preseason Softball Fab 5, presented by the Army National Guard
1. Mount St. Dominic Academy (Caldwell)Head coaches: Lorenzo Sozio/Rob Stern
2015 record: 26-1
Junior all-American
Kelsey Oh will be out to improve upon a season stat line of 23-1, 0.18 ERA (277 strikeouts in 152 IP) after a 26-1 team finish.
See last season's New Jersey softball computer rankings2. Washington Township (Sewell)Head coach: Tracy Burkhart
2015 record: 31-1
Junior pitcher
Lauren Shannon returns for her senior season on a team that won the Group 4 state title. Shannon had a perfect game through six innings in the state title game.
See New Jersey softball photo galleries3. Immaculate Heart Academy (Washington Township)Head coach: TBA
2015 record: 31-3
It will be a solemn season for the Eagles following the
death of coach Anthony LaRezza in February. LaRezza went out on top — Immaculate Heart pulled out a walk-off 1-0 win in the Non-Public A state final last season — and he will certainly inspire the girls to success this season.
See last season's New Jersey softball stat leaders4. Middletown NorthHead coach: Marc Rosner
2015 record: 23-6
The Lions won their first Shore Conference Tournament title since 1974 thanks to the dominance of
Riley Kernan. As a sophomore last season she struck out six in the SCT final for her 20th win of the year. She should be one of the best in the state this year as a junior.
See last season's New Jersey softball playoff brackets5. St. John-Vianney (Holmdel)Head coach: Kim Lombardi
2015 record: 25-2
After winning its first 25 games, St. John-Vianney was stunned by Middletown North in the SCT for its first loss of the season and followed that up with another loss, this time to Paul VI. This season the Lancers will be out for revenge, and don't expect them to go down without a fight.
