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

1. West Fargo
2014 record: 25-2
Head coach: Pat Johnson

The three-time defending state champions defeated Bishop Ryan 10-1 in the Class A state title game and Johnson was selected the Coach of the Year and Brittany Rheault was the Outstanding Senior Athlete of the Year. Returning All-EDC players are outfielder/pitcher Paige Andel, shortstop Morgan Geizler and first baseman Madison Nelson.

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

2. Bishop Ryan (Minot)
2014 record: 29-3
Head coach: Julie Stewart

The Lions, who have been state runner-ups three years in a row, return perhaps the state's top player in senior pitcher and shortstop Hannah Stewart. She's one of six returners from a 13-person roster.

View last season's North Dakota softball playoff brackets

3. Century (Bismarck)
2014 record: 21-13
Head coach: Kevin Ziegler

The Patriots lost just three from a roster of 16 on the 2014 team that reached the state's final eight, including pitchers Cassidy Miller and Hannah Holtz.

View last season's North Dakota softball stat leaders

4. Dickinson
2014 record: 28-6
Head coach: Amanda Mickey/Bill Butterfield

The Midgets return four from last year's roster of 15, including All-State pitcher Madison Jahner, a junior. Other returning juniors are outfielders Emilie Sickler, Taylor Privratsky and Katlin Lafond.

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5. Bismarck
2014 record: 21-16
Head coach: Kurt Grensteiner

The Demons reached the final eight and Jamie Barta and Kennedy Blair each earned All-State honors.