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

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1. West (Salt Lake City)
Head coach: Keith Lopati
2016 record: 26-5

The Panthers were denied their first state title after losing to Riverton in the winner's bracket final and again in the Class 5A championship game. There may be no team that can stand against West this season. Few opponents will be able to match the breadth and depth of talent and experience available to the Panthers at multiple positions.

West's top playmakers all return on offense, led by Breah Ava. The senior third baseman paced the Panthers last season with 51 runs and 53 RBIs on a .626 batting average. She totaled 15 home runs and 12 doubles. Ava's younger sister Huntyr Ava is equally dangerous when at bat. The sophomore shortstop totaled 58 RBIs, 17 doubles, and 10 home runs while batting .569 a year ago.

Shayna Alofipo and Kamora Masina are back in the circle for West. The duo combined for 25 wins and 97 strikeouts last spring. Alofipo also makes life tough on opposing pitchers with her batting skills. The senior totaled 43 RBIs, 16 doubles and 10 home runs on a .580 batting average last season.

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2. Spanish Fork
Head coach: Don Andrews
2016 record: 30-3

The Dons have a realistic shot at winning a third-straight Class 4A crown this spring. One reason why is senior pitcher Cambrie Hazel. All Hazel did last season is simply dominate one batter after another. She tallied 225 strikeouts and a 1.07 earned run average while posting a 24-2 record in the circle. Hazel has struck out 419 batters over the last two seasons.

Hazel's pitching prowess makes Spanish Fork's offense feel even more imposing. The Dons averaged 9.1 runs per game last spring and return many key hitters this season. Jordyn Bate and Brylee Rudd, in particular, are a threat to make a big play.

Bate led the Dons last season in RBIs (46), runs (42) and doubles (19) while batting .560. Rudd was Spanish Fork's top home run hitter in 2016 with eight. She also totaled 38 runs and 31 RBIs on a .451 batting average.

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3. Alta (Sandy)
Head coach: Tiff Airmet
2016 record: 20-3 If any team is equipped to seriously challenge Spanish Fork's supremacy in Class 4A, the Hawks are the most obvious candidate. Alta lost just once in the regular season last spring before suffering back-to-back lopsided losses to Maple Mountain and Murray in the playoffs. The Hawks gave up 43 runs in the postseason after allowing just 41 total runs during the regular season.

Alta must replace senior pitcher Brooke Vanderheide, who posted a 21-1 record and a 1.54 ERA while striking out 197 batters. Vanderheide also finished with a state-leading .712 batting average. The offense should be in good shape with Brook Ericson and Lexington Walbeck back for another season.

Ericson led the Hawks in RBIs (38), doubles (12) and home runs (nine) last season and was second in runs (32). Walbeck totaled 29 runs, 32 RBIs and eight home runs a year ago.

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4. Lehi
Head coach: Tim Kennedy
2016 record: 26-8

The Pioneers fell just short of pulling off a Class 5A championship three-peat. Now Lehi must replace graduated stars Sydney White and Stefani Zimmerman.

The duo combined for 186 strikeouts and 22 victories in the circle last season. White and Zimmerman were also the team's top batters with White leading the way in runs (46) and hits (44) while Zimmerman topped Lehi in RBIs (44), home runs (15) and batting average (.457).

Lehi has plenty of young talent returning and ready to take a step forward this spring. Bailey Tahbo showed high potential as a batter last season, totaling 30 runs, 41 hits and 19 RBIs in 2016. Alli Butterfield also had an impact at the plate, churning out 13 runs and 14 RBIs. Kayla Roberts will likely step in to fill the void at pitcher. Roberts posted a 3-0 record and a 1.17 ERA in limited action as a pitcher last spring.

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5. Bear River (Garland)
Head coach: Calvin Bingham
2016 record: 24-3

The Bears show no signs of going into hibernation after winning the Class 3A crown last season. Bear River is a favorite to repeat with star pitcher Kapri Toone back in the circle.

Toone enjoyed an incredible sophomore season, posting an 11-2 record and 0.58 ERA during the Class 3A Tournament. Her biggest highlight came in the first round when she retired all 21 batters she faced in a 9-0 win over Pine View. Toone will likely take on a much bigger role this spring after splitting time with Sydni Sorenson and Kenzie Summers last year.

The Bears' offense should be equally tough. Junior leftfielder Mercedes Call enjoyed a 25-game hitting streak last season and finished the season with a .465 batting average and scored 39 runs for Bear River. She also had a team-best three triples.

John Coon covers Utah high school sports for MaxPreps. You can contact him at john_coon@hotmail.com and follow him on Twitter at @johncoonsports