MaxPreps 2015 Maryland preseason softball Fab 5, presented by the Army National Guard

1. Eastern Tech (Baltimore)
2014 finish: 25-0, won 2A state championship
Head coach: Jack Meyers

The Mavericks won their first state championship in school history and first softball state title in Baltimore County since 1981. They won by mercy rule in 20 of the 25 games they played last year. Eastern Tech has almost its entire roster back, led by senior catcher Brooke Samios-UY, who will be moved to shortstop this year. She hit .640 with 48 RBIs last year. Also back is senior Breanna Casper, who hit .597 with nine home runs and set the Maryland state record with 59 RBIs in 25 games. Senior centerfielder Giselle Alvarez hit .550 with 40 RBIs. Allie Meyers, a junior, will play first base and hit .466, and junior Sarah Heagy will move from right field to catcher and hit .514 last year.

View last season's Maryland softball rankings, presented by the Army National Guard

2. Northern (Owings)
2014 finish: 23-2, won seventh-straight 3A state championship
Head coach: Robert Radford

The Patriots never rebuild. They just reload. They're loaded again — led by senior catcher Sarah Bennett, who's bound for Georgetown and hit .388 last year. Junior centerfielder Kassidy Cross hit .500 and had 15 RBIs, and will be joined by junior first baseman Micaela Cummings, who hit .463 and drove in 19 runs. Junior Kaylee Cross, Kassidy's twin, and sophomore Zoe Weadon will handle the pitching.

View last season's Maryland softball playoff brackets

3. Sherwood (Sandy Spring)
2014 finish: 20-0, won third-straight 4A state championship
Head coach: Ashley Barber-Strunk

The three-time defending 4A state champion Warriors return 11 players. They'll be led by senior shortstop Nicole Stockinger, who batted .709 with 48 hits and eight home runs. Senior second baseman Julie Swarr, a four-year varsity starter, hit .476, and junior first baseman Kelly Bouma batted .509 with 26 RBIs. Junior McKenzie Bina, a three-year varsity starter, batted .519 with 23 RBIs as a sophomore.

View last season's Maryland softball stat leaders

4. Chesapeake (Baltimore)
2014 finish: 1-7 (incomplete)
Head coach: Don Ellensberger

The Bay Hawks bring back Toni Braun, who is likely to establish herself as a big-time hitter in the state. Also, Sabrina Curtiss returns and should pick up a big part of the pitching load.

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5. Easton
2014 finish: 18-2
Head coach: Jennifer Powell

Coach Powell returns after a stellar season and she brings with her some talented players. Seniors for this season include Sydney Chance, Montana Dye, Alecia Hall, Savannah Miles and Danielle Miller.