MaxPreps 2015 Michigan preseason softball Fab 5, presented by the Army National Guard
1. Bay City Western (Auburn)2014 record: 41-3, Division 1 champion
Coach: Rick Garlinghouse
The
Warriors avenged a 2013 championship loss by defeating Portage Central
in the 2014 title game. Garlinghouse loses a trio of all-state
performers in Meredith Rousse, Heather Leppek and Kaylynn Carpenter, but
expect the Warriors to be right in the thick of it once again in 2015.
View last season's Michigan softball rankings, presented by the Army National Guard2. Portage Central2014 record: 43-4, Division 1 runner-up
Coach: Tom Hamilton
The
Mustangs lost to Bay City Western in the Division 1 final and will have
to do without all-state players Gina Verduzco and Lea Forester, but
will return all-state first baseman
Meredith Adams and honorable mention
all-state shortstop
Brooke Wyman.
View last season's Michigan softball playoff brackets3. Unionville-Sebewaing (Sebewaing)2014 record: 40-1, Division 3 runner-up
Coach: Steve Bohn
The Patriots had a perfect season spoiled in the championship game against Gladstone, as they suffered a 2-1 loss. Bohn's squad loses all-state outfielder Ali Hoppe and all-state second baseman Stephanie Neuman, but he will surely have them ready to go.
View last season's Michigan softball stat leaders4. Utica Ford (Sterling Heights)2014 record: 30-9-1
Coach: Matt Joseph
The Falcons ran into a buzzsaw in the form of Portage Central pitcher Gina Verduzco, who no-hit them in the Division 1 semifinals last year. Joseph's squad loses all-state catcher Gabby Schefka, but returns captains
Alex Sorgi and
Kayla Boland.
View Michigan softball pro photo galleries5. Reese2014 record: 28-11
Coach: Andy Behmlander
The Rockets lost to USA in the Division 3 quarterfinals and lose all-state players Kaitlyn Szekely, Cassidy Reif and Monica Hagen, but don't expect Behmlander's team to take too big of a step back. This year they'll be led by senior
Mikaela Stricker and sophomore catcher
Carlee Selle.