MaxPreps 2015 Hawaii Softball Fab 5 presented by the Army National Guard
1. Nanakuli (Waianae)2014 finish: 21-2
Head coach: Ricky Gusman
The Hawks won their second-straight Division II title with an 8-5 win over Waimea. They were led by the HHSAA All-Tournaments MVP Alexis Paulo-Meyers, a shortstop, along with all-tourney pitcher Chyanne Koko and outfielder
Emma Kawaiaea. Paulo-Meyers and Koko have graduated, but Kawaiaea returns along with 2014 starters
Precious Paulo-Meyers,
Ashley Van Gieson,
Daria Kawaauhau and
Kalia Burnett.
View last season's Hawaii softball rankings, presented by the Army National Guard2. Maryknoll (Honolulu)2014 finish: 14-5-1
Head coach: John Uekawa
The Spartans graduated just one senior off last year's team that reached the state quarterfinals, losing to eventual Division I champion Mililani 3-2. Maryknoll is led by returning pitcher
Shearyna Labasan, who pitched a shutout and struck out 14 in a 6-0 first-round win over Pearl City last season. Other top returning players are shortstop
Tamia Hirano, centerfielder
Bree Soma and
Chynna Mekaru.
View last season's Hawaii softball playoff brackets3. Baldwin (Wailuku)2014 finish: 9-2-1
Head coach: Steve Morton
Baldwin reached the fifth-place game of the last year's Division I tournament and tied Maryknoll. Sanae Nakoa was the team's top pitcher last season and shortstop Nawaii Kaupe and first basemen Kamalani Eldredge were among its top hitters. Baldwin was a longtime state power under coaches Rudy and Ryan Souza, winning 19 Maui Interscholastic League championships in 24 years with state titles in 2001 and 2007.
View Hawaii softball stat leaders4. Punahou (Honolulu)2014 finish: 7-8
Head coach: Bobby Makahilahila
The 2013 state Division I champs figure to bounce back strong after a tough 2014 season. Punahou has five seniors on an 18-person roster and features strong pitching from numerous sources, including senior
Nicole Nishizawa, juniors
Lauren Mooney and
Astra Kidani, sophomore
Jolie Fujita and freshmen
Kawailana Mielke and
Bailey Akimseu.
5. Kaiser (Honolulu)2014 finish: 10-3
Head coach: Deanedra Kahuahana
The Cougars are led by 12 returners, with the only newcomer being
Hannah Mcdermott. Kaiser won its first 11 games of 2015. Among other Cougars who played on the 2013 playoff team include shortstop
Rainelle Matsuoka, first baseman-designated hitter
Marissa Oda and outfielder
Kai Hasegawa.