MaxPreps 2015 Alabama preseason softball Fab 5, presented by the Army National Guard

1. Sparkman (Harvest)
2014 record: 63-4-1, Class 6A state champion
Head coach: Dale Palmer

Until a team knocks off Sparkman, the Senators are the top squad in the state. They won their third-straight Class 6A state title last season and fifth since 2006. However, Sparkman, ranked No. 11 in the final Xcellent 25 poll, graduated six seniors, and every one got signed scholarships to play at the next level. Shortstop and Class 6A playoffs tournament MVP Bevia Robinson (.485 average, 97 runs scored last season) is gone, as is 6A State Player of the year Jordan Bullock (.490, 86 RBIs), who is playing at Jacksonville State, and pitcher Sam Mayhall (29-2). The Senators have a nice nucleus back with senior pitcher Bailey Moore and sophomores Haley Cope (1B) and Kailey Stoker (P).

View last season's Alabama softball rankings, presented by the Army National Guard

2. Baker (Mobile)
2014 record: 64-6
Head coach: Tony Scarbrough

The Honeybees are coming off an earlier-than-expected exit in the state playoffs last season, falling in the quarterfinals. Baker, ranked No. 45 in the final MaxPreps Xcellent 25, has a strong corps group returning. Two first-team all-state selections in senior catcher Lexie Mathis and designated hitter Lacey Sumerlin are back in the meat of the lineup. Sumerlin (.486 average and 86 RBIs) hit 11 home runs last season and struck out just four times. The senior has signed with Georgia. Junior outfielder Mary Hannah Smith, who was an honorable mention all-state pick, also returns. The Honeybees' biggest loss off last year's team is all-state utility player Deborah Elmore.

View last season's Alabama softball playoff brackets

3. Hartselle
2014 record: 48-14-1, Class 5A state champion
Head coach: Christy Ferguson

Hartselle is coming off its fourth state title and first since 2003. A repeat might be a realistic goal. The Tigers return a slew of talent, including reigning Class 5A Player of the Year, pitcher Jada Hayes. Last season, she was 28-8 with a 1.59 ERA and 235 strikeouts. Battery mate Taylor Wascavage is also back after garnering all-state first team status. Junior Hope Cain was one of the top utility players in the state last season. Senior Hannah Jenkins will try to top last season, when she hit a walk-off home run to give the Tigers the state title.

View last season's Alabama softball stat leaders

4. Hillcrest (Tuscaloosa)
2014 record: 52-10-1, Class 6A state runner-up
Head coach: Ted Swinney

After a strong run to the state title game last season, the Patriots are looking to win the championship this time around. Hillcrest lost a strong senior class, including all-state utility player Karley Sanders (19-3, 0.76 ERA on the mound, .325 average, 40 runs scored). However, the team has back all-state honorable mention selections Hannah Payne, a senior pitcher, junior shortstop KK Crocker and Abriana Fornis, a senior outfielder. Mississippi Valley State signee Kailyn Dunn (.310, 54 runs) will return in the outfield.

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5. Spain Park (Hoover)
2014 record: 49-17
Head coach: C.J. Hawkins

The Jaguars put up big offense numbers last season and placed fifth in Class 6A. They have just the player back to have another strong year. Mary Kathryn Bonamy was named the Class 6A Hitter of the Year and an all-state selection at first base. As a junior, the North Carolina verbal commit hit .419 with a .911 slugging percentage. She nailed a state-best 19 home runs and drove in 65 runs. Sophomore shortstop Mary Katherine Tedder will be relied on heavily this season. Spain Park will have to replace its top two pitchers, Haleigh Sisson (17-5, 104 strikeouts) and Julie Knight.