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

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1. Neshoba Central (Philadelphia)
2016 record: 27-1
Head coach: Trae Embry

The Rockets will be led again by sophomore hurler Aspen Wesley, who was 24-1 last season with an 0.18 ERA in 155 innings pitched. She had 294 strikeouts and allowed a paltry four earned runs. Wesley also hit .338 with 17 RBIs and three triples. Fellow sophomore Rivers Gray hit .367 with 21 RBIs, five doubles, five triples and two home runs. She also stole 13 bases. Junior Madalyn Thompson hit .278 and clubbed three long balls while adding 13 RBIs.

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2. Taylorsville
2016 record: 25-4
Head coach: Mason Grissom

The Tartars return Lauren Stringer for her junior campaign after going 20-2 with a .077 ERA. Stringer stuck out 223 in 144.2 innings and tossed three complete games. At the plate, Stringer hit .230 with 17 RBIs and seven doubles. Senior Anna Kennedy leads the Taylorsville offense after hitting .481 with 31 RBIs, 12 doubles and two home runs in her junior season. Fellow senior Miracle Crosby hit .360 for the Tartars with a .437 on-base percentage. She added 10 stolen bases.

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3. Mooreville
2016 record: 32-1
Head coach: Perry Wilburn Senior Hallie Donald looks to be super for the Troopers after going 18-1 with a 0.90 ERA and 175 punchouts in 2015. She walked seven in 108.1 innings. At the plate, Donald hit .546 with 56 RBIs and 10 homers. She also knocked 12 doubles. Summer Cryder, also a senior, was 14-0 with an 0.64 ERA in the circle for Mooreville. Cryder hit .511 with 55 RBIs and eight home runs for the Troopers. Rounding out the long-ball trifecta is Analyse Long, who hit .453 with 36 RBIs and five home runs.

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4. St. Patrick (Biloxi)
2016 record: 29-4
Head coach: Tommy Castanedo

The Fighting Irish had a one-two punch in the circle as junior Anna D'Aquilla was 18-4 with a 2.24 ERA and 135 strikeouts, while fellow junior Morgan Redmond was 11-0 with a 1.70 ERA and 59 strikeouts in 57.2 innings. D'Aquilla also hit .329 with 27 RBIs. Senior Morgan McCrea hit .447 with 32 RBIs and nine doubles for St. Patrick. Junior Raylen Blackwell showed some pop for the Fighting Irish, hitting six homers with 40 RBIs while hitting .357. Raven Blackwell hit .435 with 26 RBIs and 10 doubles.

See the MaxPreps Mississippi softball playoff brackets

5. Harrison Central (Gulfport)
2016 record: 28-4
Head coach: Jimmy Parker

Kristen Cade will shoulder the load in the circle for the Red Rebels after going 14-2 with an 0.83 ERA in 101 innings while splitting time. Cade struck out 121 and allowed 20 walks. Senior Desirea Lindsey looks to get Harrison Central going at the plate after hitting .447 last season with 29 runs scored and 11 RBIs. She also had a .505 on-base percentage. Joining Lindsey offensively will be junior Daijha Richardson, who hit .333 with four doubles. Amari Ramsey had 26 RBIs, three home runs and two triples while hitting .330 for the Red Rebels.