Madison Aurin and Centennial are our pick as the top team in the Central Section.
File photo by David Dennis
MaxPreps 2015 Central Section Softball Fab 5 presented by the Army National Guard
1. Centennial (Bakersfield)2014 finish: 28-4
Head coach: Samantha Walker
The Golden Hawks won it all in Division I, taking down Clovis 2-0 and then Buchanan 10-0. Bakersfield Californian co-Player of the Year
Madison Aurin is back on the pitching rubber (10-0) and at the plate (.533) so there's reason to expect another crown. Throw in the return of first team choice
Trish McNew (17-4, 1.00 ERA) and it adds reason why.
Madison Hightower, a second team choice, returns at first base.
View last season's Central Section softball rankings, presented by the Army National Guard2. Clovis2014 finish: 29-4
Head coach: Mike Noel
The
Cougars had the top seed in the playoffs last season but fell to
Centennial in the semifinals of the Division I bracket. What gets them
the top spot here is that they have lots of talent returning. Senior
Cayla Broussard
(.518, 28 stolen bases) was a first-team Fresno Bee Spring All-Star and
Tri-River Athletic Conference co-Offensive Player of the Year and
senior
Mackenzie Emmett (a .358 career hitter) was also on the first team in center field. Junior infielder
Alyssa Caballero and senior catcher
Cameryn Reichle were second team nominees.
View last season's California softball playoff brackets
3. Taft2014 finish: 36-2
Head coach: Russell Emberson
The Wildcats blasted their way to the Division IV section title last season behind star pitcher
Arizona Pilgrim, who is back for her senior year after going 30-2 with a 0.76 ERA, and fellow senior
Caitlyn Emberson returns after 11 home runs, 20 doubles and a .587 batting average. This team beat Clovis last season, so don't let the small town home fool you.
View last season's California softball stat leaders4. Buchanan (Clovis)2014 finish: 19-18
Head coach: Dean Gregory
The Bears definitely didn't have an overwhelming record, but they did reach the Division I title game and also have good, youthful talent returning. Centerfielder
Spencer Sansom hit .374 with 39 runs and
Sienna Swain hit .428 with 18 RBIs from shortstop. Each was a first team Spring All-Star by the Fresno Bee.
Starr Vang is yet another junior with two years of varsity experience and she was a second team Spring All-Star pick.
View the MaxPreps Central Section softball pro photo galleries5. Clovis West (Fresno)2014 finish: 26-9
Head coach: Gary Battles
The Golden Eagles fell to Stockdale in the playoffs last season in the second round. They do get
Cassidy Clark returning for her junior season after a first team Spring All-Star campaign that included a .490 batting average. Losing TRAC co-Offensive Player of the Year Madison Clark will leave a hole that needs to be filled at third base.