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

1. Southington
Head coach: Davina Hernandez
2014 record: 24-0

The state's most decorated softball program has the firepower to win its third straight CIAC Class LL title while adding to its state-record 16 state championships. The Blue Knights were ranked 35 in the MaxPreps Xcellent Top 50 preseason rankings as they return all but three starters. Senior all-state pitcher Kendra Friedt (23-0, 0.36 ERA, school-record 247 strikeouts) gets to frustrate batters for another year before moving on to Boston College. Southington will be just as dangerous offensively with senior second baseman Kaitlin Paterson (.511, 45 runs), senior third baseman Lauren Zazzaro (.500, 41 runs, 28 RBIs, 33 SB) and senior outfielder Hayley Arduini (.414, 20 runs, 15 RBIs).

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

2. Fitch (Groton)
Head coach: Kate Prpich
2014 record: 26-1

The Falcons were all about youth last season as they didn't have any seniors and started four freshmen. They even had an addition to the family as Prpich gave birth to her first child last April and sat out the season. Fitch proved that high school experience isn't everything as it won the Class L championship. It'll be expected to win another as eight starters return. Junior Caroline Taber (20-1, 0.69 ERA, 185 strikeouts) is one of eight starters back. She also batted .506 with 34 RBIs and three home runs. Senior shortstop Jackie Lewis hit two solo home runs in a semifinal win over Lauralton Hall. She and Taber were all-state picks, too.

"Yeah, no pressure there, right?,'" Prpich joked. "There are high expectations for sure, but the girls definitely like to live up to them."

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3. Seymour
Head coach: Ken Pereiras
2014 record: 26-1

The Wildcats are among a handful of constants in the sport. They won their ninth state title last season and, with six starters returning, have the talent to defend their Class M crown. Junior all-state pitcher Raeanne Geffert is a threat in the circle (26-1, 0.71 ERA) and at the plate (.434, 29 RBIs). Classmates Amanda Harkins (catcher, .434, 28 RBIs) and Cassie Rossetti (infielder, .378, 18 RBIs), and sophomore second baseman Shari Minalga (.350, 15 RBIs) are among the top returnees. Team speed is a concern for Seymour, and it'll have new starters at first base and centerfield. It'll also have to deal with a new threat within the Naugatuck Valley League as state power Oxford has joined the conference.

View last season's Connecticut softball stat leaders

4. Amity Regional (Woodbridge)
Head coach: Loren Vorrase-Purcell
2014 record: 22-6

Nobody gave Southington more trouble last season than the Spartans. They battled the Blue Knights for 15 innings in the LL final before losing, 1-0. Amity should make another run at that title as it returns eight, including junior pitchers Kate Koshes (19-3, 0.67 ERA, 231 strikeouts) and Morgan Perry. Koshes pitched a six-hitter with 21 strikeouts and a walk in the state final. Also back are senior co-captains Jenna DiLorenzo (centerfield, .500, 24 runs, 24 RBI), Jill DeMaio (first baseman) and Janaya Young (catcher).

"We have very good experience," Vorrase-Purcell said. "We have a strong battery all the way around, and some of our top hitters have returned. So we're expecting to have a really good season. We are replacing our second baseman, shortstop and third baseman, so almost our entire infield will be different."

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5. Lauralton Hall (Milford)
Head coach: Amanda Acampora.
2014 record: 21-5

The Crusaders only graduated two seniors and return a crew that advanced all the way to the Class L semifinals before losing to Fitch, 8-4 (and very few teams scored that many against the Falcons). Senior centerfielder Alexa Dawid was all-state last season (.687, 32 RBIs, 21 runs, 24 SB), as was pitcher Haley Congdon. Seniors Lindsey Spitz (third baseman) and Jackie Brewster (first baseman) are two more reasons why Lauralton should contend in Class L again. The Crusaders have also joined the SCC this season, making an already tough softball league ever tougher.