Video: Greatest HR-robbing catch of all-time
See a Utah outfielder go all-out to save a run in a state title game.2017 CIF Sac-Joaquin Section Preseason Softball Fab 5, presented by the Army National Guard
1. Sheldon (Sacramento)Head coach: Mary Jo Truesdale
2016 record: 30-2
The Huskies lost just four seniors off a 16-person roster last season that outscored opponents 280-64, hit .404 as a team and posted a cumulative ERA of 1.47. Sheldon won the Division I championship and is favored to do it again because it returns its top pitcher,
Taliyah Miles (23-2, 1.78 ERA), top hitter, second baseman and shortstop
Maci Fines (.518, 25 RBI) and third best run-producer
Shea Moreno (.465, 33 RBIs). Truesdale has led Sheldon to 11 20-win seasons in the last 12 years, including a 32-2 campaign in 2008.
See the MaxPreps Sac-Joaquin Section softball computer rankings presented by the Army National Guard2. East Union (Manteca)Head coach: Brian Goulart
2016 record: 23-3
The Lancers are one of the most consistent programs in the SJS, having recorded six 20-win seasons since 2007, including a combined 78-10 over the last three seasons. They lost just five seniors off last year's 18-person roster and return a pair of senior pitchers in
Mikayla Bongi (12-0, 0.56 ERA, 131 strikeouts in 100.1 innings) and
Delaney Pamplin (11-3, 0.20). That bodes well, considering the Lancers hit .443 as a team last year. They return top hitters Pamplin (.415, 17 RBIs),
Allie Tajii (.346) and
Danyelle Godoy (.300).
See the MaxPreps Sac-Joaquin Section softball stat leaders3. Del Campo (Fair Oaks)Head coach: Sharon Props
2016 record: 21-7
Brooke Larsen, Del Campo
Photo by David Steutel
The Cougars lost just two seniors off last year's team and return senior pitcher
Brooke Larsen (21-7, 1.62), who also hit .415. Winners
of 67 games over the last three seasons, the Cougars are a consistent
winner under Props. She relied on three freshmen last season, including
first baseman
Maddie Braz (.345). The team's top returning hitter is shortstop/third baseman
Natalie Nash, who hit .433 with four home runs.
See the MaxPreps Sac-Joaquin Section softball photos4. OakdaleHead coach: Larry Loger
2016 record: 22-3
The Mustangs have won at least 24 games five times since 2005: In 2005 (28), 2006 (25), 2009 (24), 2012 (27) and 2014 (24). Oakdale returns two of its starting pitchers,
Lexi Webb (8-2, 1.76 ERA) and
Grace Green (7-1, 0.76), who were also among the team's top returning run producers. Webb hit .437 with six home runs and 22 RBIs and Green hit .488 with five home runs and 30 RBIs. The Mustangs lost seven seniors off a 15-person roster from 2016.
See the MaxPreps California softball playoff brackets5. TracyHead coach: Paulette Keeney
2016 record: 24-7
The Bulldogs return one of the most versatile players in the section and top hitters in junior infielder
Rachel Cid, who last year hit .449 with 40 hits, 35 RBIs, 34 runs and five home runs. With pitchers
Mikayla Coelho (11.2, 1.92) and
Karina Faasisila (6-3, 3.09) back, Tracy is in good shape. The Bulldogs hit .382 as a team in 2016 and lost only four seniors to graduation.
