MaxPreps 2017 Louisiana preseason high school softball Fab 5, presented by the Army National Guard

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See a Utah player give up her safety to make a spectacular catch in a state title game.


1. Alexandria
2016 record: 30-4
Head coach: Erica Harwell

The Trojans ended the 2016 season with 11 wins in a row and a 5A state title. They begin the 2017 season with eight starters returning, including both top pitchers and their top four hitters from a year ago. Heading up the list of returnees is Taryn Antoine, a senior and LSU recruit batted .484 and stole 26 bags. Junior Briahna Bennett was the Trojans' No. 2 pitcher (12-2) and hit 13 home runs with 38 RBIs and an .810 slugging percentage. UL Lafayette signee Carrie Boswell went 18-2 and recorded a 1.49 ERA while batting .443 with nine home runs and 36 RBIs. Southeastern Louisiana signee Ella Manzer had a .330 average and six home runs, and junior Caroline Manzer recorded 24 RBIs and scored 31 runs.

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2. North DeSoto (Stonewall)
2016 record: 23-6
Head coach: Lori McFerren

The Griffins won their final eight games and their second-straight state 4A title in 2016. In those final eight games, they allowed just three runs, as Northwestern State signee Emma Callie Delafield pitched six shutouts. She pitched a no-hitter in the Griffins' 3-0 victory over Cabrini in the 4A title game and has aided North DeSoto to consecutive Class 4A titles and a third state tournament appearance en route to a 58-11 career record as a pitcher. Delafield is a two-time All-Area Player of the Year (Shreveport Times), two-time Class 4A Player of the Year and three-time All-State selection. She also batted .418 as a junior. Joining her on the All-State Team were infielding teammates Bayli Simon (Louisiana Tech) and Ryann Cisco, plus outfielder Hailey Ebey. Simon batted .459 with 29 RBIs and 41 runs scored as a junior, earning District Most Valuable Player honors.

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3. Mt. Carmel (New Orleans)
2016 record: 21-4
Head coach: Katie Bailey The Cubs have averaged 22 wins a year over the last four seasons, but lost in the second round of the state 5A playoffs in 2016, and it's been four years since they reached the state title game. With several key returnees, that could change this year. The keys to Mt. Carmel's success are juniors Jordyn Perkins (District MVP and Times Picayune Player of the Year) and pitcher Shelby Wickersham. Both have committed to LSU. Wickersham was 14-3 with a 1.21 ERA and averaged a strikeout per inning in 109 innings. Perkins hit .523 with eight homers and 39 RBIs, and she was also 7-1 with 53 strikeouts in 46 innings. Other All-District returnees include seniors Madison Ciacio and Caleigh Foto.

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4. Holy Savior Menard (Alexandria)
2016 record: 27-4
Head coach: Allison Frye

The Eagles return 16 players from last year's team that lost in the 2A title game, including MaxPreps All-American pitcher Jensen Howell, Louisiana's reigning Gatorade State Player of the Year. The Louisiana Tech commit is a right-handed pitcher/first baseman and was 21-3 as a junior when she compiled 240 strikeouts in 154.1 innings with 11 shutouts and three no-hitters. She also batted .384 with eight homers and 32 RBIs. Howell will have plenty of support with four fellow All-State players returning: catcher Abby Gwinn (hit .432 as a junior), senior Morgan Woodard (batted .404 last season) and junior Ashley Seeser (a .461 hitter). Maddie Smith (who hit .417 in 2016) was also All-State but is not on this year's roster.

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5. Rosepine
2016 record: 22-5
Head coach: Anthony Granger

If senior pitcher Morghan LaTour (LSU-Eunice signee) continues her yearly improvement, the Eagles will be difficult to beat. Latour is entering her sixth season as a starter, having been first team All-District five times and a two-time District MVP. She is a three-time Vernon Parish Pitcher of the Year, a five-time All-Vernon Parish selection, a four-time All-State selection and a three-time member of the ELITE 21 softball team. As a junior, Latour averaged two strikeouts per inning (148 innings pitched) and limited opponents to only 61 hits while recording a 1.18 ERA. She pitched five no-hitters. In addition to Latour, the Eagles return all but one starter from last year's team that reached the state 2A quarterfinals. In addition to Latour, back are All-State honorees Lauryn McMahon (35 RBIs, 17 extra-base hits and a .481 batting average) and Desiree Squires (a .429 hitter). Other returning .300-plus hitters include senior Alyda Bailey and Haylee Brinlee.