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

1. McCracken County (Paducah)
Head coach: Tony Hayden
2015 record: 37-3

The Mustangs finished ranked No. 3 nationally after winning the state tournament title with a 2-1 win over Male. They are No. 6 in the MaxPreps Early Contenders rankings because, among other things, they return the one-two pitching punch of Audrey Dodd (17-1, 0.97 ERA) and Louisiana Tech-bound Jenny Chapman (three perfect games), and slugger Hannah Ridolfi (.407, 74 RBIs over two seasons).

See last season's Kentucky computer rankings

2. Male (Louisville)
Head coach: Josh Bloomer
2015 record: 38-9

The Bulldogs lost in the state tournament final to McCracken and they lost just seven seniors off a 28-person roster. Among top players to return are Taylor Childress and Alyssa Case. Male has won a whopping 118 games over the last four seasons.

See last season's Kentucky softball photo galleries

3. Scott County (Georgetown)
Head coach: Sabrina McCullough
2015 record: 31-10

The Cardinals lost to state finalist Male in the second round of the state tournament, 9-6. They graduated just two players from a 14-person roster and return pitcher Kennedy Sullivan, a sophomore who fired a 1-0 win over Mercy in a first-round state tournament game. Scott County, the 2014 state champion, has won 130 games over the last four seasons combined.

See last season's Kentucky playoff brackets

4. Anderson County (Lawrenceburg)
Head coach: Brent Aldridge
2015 record: 34-10

The Bearcats were eliminated in the state tournament last year by finalist Male, 6-4, after beating Warren East, 11-2. They graduated just four seniors off a 20-person roster and return pitchers Mia Aldridge, Allyson Moore and Gracie Inabnitt.

See last season's Kentucky softball stat leaders

5. Ashland Blazer (Ashland)
Head coach: Scott Ingram
2015 record: 32-9

The Tomcats were eliminated in the state tournament after losses to Male and McCracken County. They return junior pitcher Megan Murphy (7-1, 2.58 ERA) and top hitters Haley Kilburn (37 hits, 38 RBIs) and Katie Baldock.