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

1. Dover
2014 record: 14-6
Head coach: Tim Dudley

The returning Division I champions were a No. 3 seed last season. They won't sneak up on anybody this year, especially since they lost just one senior. Third baseman Caroline Schoenbucher returns for her senior season at third base after making the all-state first team, and senior pitcher Molly St Germain was a second-team pick last season. Senior Ashley Deyo was an honorable mention pick at catcher as well.

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

2. Coe-Brown Academy (Northwood)
2014 record: 18-2
Head coach: Tim Tenasco

The Bears beat Stark 6-5 for the Division II title last season. Senior pitcher Kianna Daudelin is back after first-team all-state honors, same with senior Amanda Riley. Holly Donohue made the second team in the outfield as well.

View last season's New Hampshire softball playoff brackets

3. Spaulding (Rochester)
2014 record: 19-3
Head coach: Sheila Colson

The Red Raiders were steamrolling their way along as the No. 1 seed but fell to Dover in the state title game. Coach's daughter Shannon Colson will be back for her junior year after earning first-team all-state honors in the outfield. That's the good news. The bad news is the Division I Pitcher of the Year Sami West has graduated and leaves big shoes to fill.

View last season's New Hampshire softball stat leaders

4. Salem
2014 record: 18-3
Head coach: Harold Sachs

Another victim of Dover, the Blue Devils will need youth to step up because they lost three all-state players to graduation: Catcher Brittany Wallace, outfielder Amanda Bickford and pitcher Rachel Towler.

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5. Stark (Weare)
2014 record: 14-6
Head coach: Rick Sweeney

The Generals were a No. 7 seed last season in the playoffs but came within a run of winning a Division II title. They lost two first-team all-state performers (a pitcher and outfielder) and will look to senior second-team all-state infielder Jackie Kilar to get the team back to the title game.