Taylor McQuillin and Mission Viejo are a national title contender this season.
Photo by Heston Quan
MaxPreps 2015 California Softball Fab 5 presented by the Army National Guard
1. Mission Viejo2014 record: 26-1
Head coach: Troy Ybarra/Tory Mascarenas
The Diablos finished third in the Xcellent 25 last season, blasting their way to a Division 2 Southern Section title behind MaxPreps All-American
Taylor McQuillin, who went 25-1 with a 0.72 ERA and 316 strikeouts in 164 innings. The Arizona commit was the Gatorade State Player of the Year. On offense,
Alyssa Palomino was a second-team MaxPreps All-American Team member after crushing 17 home runs and 34 RBIs. She is also an Arizona commit. The Diablos are loaded everywhere and major national title contenders.
View last season's California softball rankings, presented by the Army National Guard2. Archbishop Mitty (San Jose)2014 record: 30-1
Head coach: Brian Yocke
Mitty won its third Central Coast Section title in four years, seventh
in nine years and 12th overall with a 7-4 win over Pioneer last year,
finishing off a near perfect season. There shouldn't be much drop-off
with three returning first-team All-West Catholic Athletic League
players: outfielders
Haley Wymbs (.360) and
Danielle Bowers (.433), plus pitcher
Desiree Severance (15-0, 0.63 ERA).
Stephanie Kristo (15-1, 1.18), another dominating pitcher, and catcher
Megan Nordin
(.270) also return to a team that should battle for a mythical national
championship. Severance also hit .375 last season in 97 at-bats. Yocke,
starting his fifth season, is 113-7.
View last season's California softball playoff brackets3. Pacifica (Garden Grove)2014 record: 29-4-1
Head coach: Mark Campbell
The Mariners finished fifth in the Xcellent 25 and won the CIF Southern Section Division 1 title. They lose Nicole DeWitt, the All-CIF Division 1 Player of the Year, and star pitcher Kaylee Carlson, but still have tons coming back. Junior
Irieanna Naea hit .416 with six homers and 17 stolen bases, and senior shortstop
Faith Canfield registered a .402 average to go with four homers.
View last season's California softball stat leaders4. Chino Hills2014 record: 30-6
Head coach: Mike Southworth
The Huskies return MaxPreps second-team All-American infielder
Tannon Snow, a Washington commit who hit 14 home runs, 21 doubles and drove in 58 runs last season as a junior.
Taylon Snow was an All-CIF Team selection as a freshman last season as well, as she hit .567 with five homers and plated 24 RBIs last season. Catcher
Kylie Michael hit .340 as a junior and
Savanna Corr was 11-1 as a pitcher last season as a junior.
View the MaxPreps California softball pro photo galleries5. Norco2014 record: 24-8
Head coach: Richard Robinson
The Cougars waved goodbye to All-CIF Team honoree Ashley Goodwin after a season that saw them finish 25th in the national computer rankings. But they bring back all-Big VIII sophomore pitcher
Taylor Dockins and fellow all-league senior catcher
Abby Lockman. The eight losses last season were the most since 2010.