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

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1. Eagle
2016 record: 29-0
Head coach: Nicole Rollins

Losing four people to graduation from back-to-back state championship teams (59-1 over two seasons) might have most coaches looking for answers. But Mustang coach Rollins is "excited" for the 2017 season as she welcomes back nine players from the 2016 MaxPreps mythical national championship team that won the 5A title.

"I think our strength will be the experience of the upperclassmen, as seven of the nine have won two state titles," said Rollins. "With both teams having success they step on the field with a sense of calm confidence. We will still hit home runs, but I see us as a run and gun team that will be even more fun to watch."  

Leading the way will be four seniors who have signed with colleges – Autumn Moffat (signed with BYU), Hailey Fisher (Weber State), Rachel Menlove (Portland State) and Kelly Kukla (University of Colorado-Colorado Springs). All four are four-year varsity starters and combined for 30 home runs with batting averages .430 and above. Moffatt was a MaxPreps Underclass All-American after going 15-0 with a 0.82 ERA and 102 strikeouts in 77 innings. She is 29-0 over the last two seasons.

That's a lot to work with. But also back are sophomores Noelle Foster (.385, 41 runs) and Gabi Peters (Boise State verbal).

See the MaxPreps Idaho softball computer rankings

2. Rocky Mountain (Meridian)
2016 record: 21-7
Head coach: Missy Nichols

The Grizzlies lost to Eagle twice last year, each time allowing five runs. Only four times in 29 games last year did Eagle score only five runs. And one was a 5-2 win in the state title game. Nine players return for the Grizzlies, including a trio of All-Leaguers who think Eagle can be beaten – juniors Katelyn Wilfert, Baylie Murray and Megan Briscoe. Wilfert was first team All-League and Murray and Briscoe were second team picks.

See the MaxPreps Idaho softball stat leaderboards

3. Middleton
2016 record: 23-4
Head coach: Rob Kiser

The 4A champion Vikings will once again be strong up the middle with the return of infielder Sage Huggins (batted .440 with 19 extra-base hits and 39 RBIs) and Aleah Mendiola (.448 batting average with 35 runs, 30 RBIs and a dozen doubles), outfielder Tayler Guerra and catcher Ellie Conley (.439 batting average). Juniors Reylene Arredondo and Amaya Palegio are two other .300-plus hitters who return.

Add sophomore pitcher Lainey Lyle and a repeat is a legitimate possibility. Lyle was 16-3 with 190 strikeouts in 123 innings to go with a 0.88 ERA. She was dominant in the postseason as she held Canyon Ridge to two runs on five hits while striking out 10 and fired a two-hitter in an 11-1, six-inning win against Twin Falls in the semifinals. And she struck out 18 in a 6-5, nine-inning victory over Pocatello in the first round.

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4. Kuna
2016 record: 20-8-1
Head coach: Joe Kleffner

The Kavemen won the district title by beating Middleton, but lost in the second round of the 4A state tournament as Middleton claimed the title. Kuna still beat Middleton three times total during the season.

With pitchers Michala Kleffner and Rylee Newman back, along with a lot of offense from senior infielders Ivy Hommel, Kaci Marshall and Lindsey Jones and outfielder Natalie Rose, another showdown is likely. Newman, Hommel and Marshall all batted over .400 a year ago and Kleffner averaged better than a strikeout per inning while posting a 1.50 ERA.

See the MaxPreps Idaho softball playoff brackets

5. Meridian
2016 record: 17-7
Head coach: Tom Pinkley

The Warriors graduated only one senior and will still be young this year. However, key returning starters include two seniors in Lexi Knauss (a Montana signee who batted .602 as a junior) and Devon Stapleton. Juniors Holly Brink and Ashley Brink and sophomores Abigail Gagnon, Samantha Desloover and pitcher Jordyn Miller.