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

1. Mt. Hope (Bristol)
Coach: Don Silva
2015 record: 16-0

In his first year as head coach (previous coach Steven Zina was arrested over the summer and charged with embezzling almost $20,000), Silva led Mt. Hope to a perfect season and the Division III championship. All-state pitcher Maddie Reis, who was brilliant in the title game, returns for her senior season. There was only one senior on last year's roster, so the Huskies should be the class of Division III once again.

See last season's Rhode Island softball computer rankings

2. Moses Brown (Providence)
Coach: Peter DeStefano

Moses Brown lost a heart-breaker to St. Raphael after building a 4-0 lead, and then lost by a single run to Davies Career & Tech in an elimination game to end its 2015 season. All-state performers Janel Gamache, Alexis Sangermano and Ali Blanchard all return to make amends in 2016.

See last season's Rhode Island softball photo galleries

3. Smithfield (Esmond)
Coach: Tony Torregrossa
2015 record: 15-7

The Sentinels finished in second place in Division I-North before being eliminated by Cumberland in the losers' bracket. Torregrossa's squad will be back with a vengeance this season, led by first team all-state selection Ally Beaton and second team selection Juliana Romeo.

See last season's Rhode Island softball playoff brackets

4. La Salle Academy (Providence)
Coach: Stefanie Capone-Bello
2015 record: 17-6

La Salle lost to Coventry in the final game of the season, but should bounce back strong in 2016. The Rams lose all-stater Kendall Jackson to graduation, but should have plenty of firepower with the return of fellow all-state performers Ann-Marie Mitchell and Ainsley Burns.

See last season's Rhode Island softball stat leaders

5. Tolman (Pawtucket)
Coach: Craig Giarrusso
2015 record: 14-5

The Tigers had a disappointing end to the season after winning the Division I-North title. Giarrusso loses all-state players Leiandra Wilson and Megan Klemanchuck, but returns junior Hannah Caliri, who is ready to take the leadership reigns.