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

1. Kennett
2015 record: 21-7, two-time defending Class 1 state champion
Head coach: Laurie Vaughan

There is little question as to which Missouri spring softball program has earned its place at the top of the Show-Me State's Fab 5. The Indians, winners of the last two Class 1 spring state softball titles, return three all-state players from a year ago in sophomore pitcher Madi Parr, junior catcher Hannah Criswell and junior right fielder Anna Wheeler. Vaughan also returns Madison Pickens and Sydney Patton, both all-conference selections a year ago, and all-district performer Kayton Harris and Meagan Pickens.

See last season's Missouri computer rankings

2. Crest Ridge (Centerview)
2015 record: 23-1, defending Class 1 consolation champion
Head coach: Mark Amos

If you want to add up the wins and losses, Crest Ridge could argue that its has put together the best two-year run in Missouri during the 2014 and 2015 spring softball seasons. But, we're pretty sure the Cougars would trade in their sterling 44-3 two-year record for one, or both, of Kennett's Class 1 state softball championships. After falling short of winning a state title, all-state seniors Kaylee Schmidli and Jamie Windholz return with the hopes of carrying Amos' club to the top. Junior Timber Erisman returns after earning All-I-70 honors a year ago.

See last season's Missouri softball photo galleries

3. Purdy
2015 record: 23-4, lost to Stockton in Class 1 quarterfinals
Head coach: Lori Videmschek

With a pair of all-staters back, and four players who were tabbed all-conference, all-district and all-region a year ago, Videmschek could take Purdy over the top in 2016. The Eagles return pitchers Breanna Keeler and Hallie Henderson, and they are solid after producing a combined ERA of 1.64 last spring. Junior all-state center fielder Rion Boyd is back following a solid sophomore season in which she hit .512 with 32 runs batted in, a pair of home runs, seven doubles and seven triples. Boyd committed just two errors in center field a year ago. Junior left fielder Sami House left it all at the plate after hitting .487 with 31 RBIs and a round tripper.

See last season's Missouri playoff brackets

4. Adrian
2015 record: 25-2, lost to Crest Ridge in Class 1 opening round
Head coach: Megan Weers

Kaylie Chancellor may not be able to play after she tore her ACL, but the Blackhawks still return plenty of talent to improve upon last spring's 4-1 opening round loss to Crest Ridge at the state softball tournament. Skylar Ketcher hit .472 in 72 at bats a year ago, while Sheldon Tallman and Malory Moles baffled opposing pitching by hitting .378 and .342, respectively. Ketcher and Payton Ritter rocked enemy batters with a combined earned run average of 0.83 in 144 innings pitched. Jaylee Welcher, Kerigan Wimsatt and Heather Miller (22 stolen bases) also started a year ago.

See last season's Missouri softball stat leaders

5. New Madrid County Central (New Madrid)
2015 record: 12-6, lost to Kennett in Class 1 opening round
Head coach: Bobbi Rae Smith

The Eagles put together a solid season last spring, playing their way into the Missouri state softball tournament and producing a solid 12-6 slate. But the Eagles are hoping for an even better 2016 after New Madrid County Central fell to the eventual champs, 10-3 in opening round action. Senior Erica Townsend returns to take down Eagle foes as does a solid senior class. Chloe Dambach, Kaitlyn Barnes, Kristen Barnes, Shelbie Karafa, Madison Bond, Monica Davis and Jordan Allen are coach Bobbi Rae Smith's returning starters from a year ago.