MaxPreps 2015 Ohio Softball Fab 5 presented by the Army National Guard
1. Hoover (North Canton)2014 record: 30-3
Head coach: Jerry Goodpasture
The four-time defending Division I state champions defeated Grove City 6-1 in last year's title game. The Vikings return eight from a 15-person roster, including cleanup hitter and catcher
Kathleen Shier who hit a three-run homer in last year's title game. Hoover is one of just two teams to win four straight titles and its won eight overall.
View last season's Ohio softball rankings, presented by the Army National Guard2. Keystone (La Grange)2014 record: 27-4
Head coach: Jim Piazza
The Wildcats lost just four seniors off last year's 19 person roster and return one of the state's top freshman pitchers Lauren Shaw (15-4, 1.16 ERA). Almost all the team's top hitters return including junior
Summer Constable (.515, 5 home runs), sophomore
Sammie Stefan (.467, 4 HRs, 46 RBI) and all-state catcher
Destiny Weber.
View last season's Ohio softball playoff brackets3. Licking Valley (Newark)2014 record: 29-6
Head coach: Mark Paxton
The Panthers lost in the state Division II semifinals but return star pitcher
Shelby McCombs and catcher
Kori Caughenbaugh, a pair of first team All-State Division II performers along with second-team infielder
Kori Locke.
Last season's Ohio stat leaders4. Bloom-Carroll (Carroll)2014 record: 28-4
Head coach: Aaron Alvelo
The state Division III finalist lost a bitter 1-0 title game in 14 innings, so the Bulldogs have a lot to prove. They lost just five seniors off a 13-person roster and return senior pitcher
Taran Alvelo (27-3, 0.46 ERA), who struck out 378 in 182 innings. She also hit .455 with seven home runs.
5. Archbold 2014 record: 26-1
Head coach: Joe Frank
The Blue Streaks return five from last year's team, including junior pitcher
Payton Robinson.