MaxPreps 2015 Kentucky Softball Fab 5 presented by the Army National Guard
1. McCracken County (Paducah)2014 record: 41-7
Head coach: Tony Hayden
The Mustangs lost just two seniors from last year's team and return one of the state's top catchers in Rachel Ridolfi, who has signed a letter of intent to play at Union University. Junior pitcher
Audrey Dodd was named second team (3A) all-state by the Kentucky Softball Coaches Association. The Mustangs came within a run of winning their first state title last year, losing in the finals to Scott County. Junior infielders
Keely Barnes and
Madeline Wooten, who made the All-Tournament Finals team, are other key returners.
View last season's Kentucky softball rankings, presented by the Army National Guard2. Male (Louisville)2014 record: 31-13
Head coach: Josh Bloomer
Male won three straight state tournament games before being eliminated by eventual champion Scott County. The Bulldogs return two key pitchers, junior
Olivia Suski (10-3, 3.48 ERA) and
Hannah Poynter (3-1, 2.57), along with a number of key hitters like
Amanda Mciver (.424),
Danielle Walls (.390) and Suski (.388).
View last season's Kentucky softball playoff brackets3. Scott County (Georgetown)2014 record: 34-11
Head coach: Jeff Portwood
The defending state champions graduated just three seniors off a 13-person roster and return junior second baseman
Taylor Ricketts, who hit a grand slam to lead the Cardinals to a 7-6 win over McCracken County in the Worth/KHSAA state title game. Scott County was ranked sixth heading into the tournament and won its first state crown. Other key returners are
Samantha Luckett and
Hannah Davis.
View last season's Kentucky softball stat leaders
4. Ballard (Louisville)2014 record: 32-7
Head coach: Alan Jones
The Bruins return one of the top sophomore pitchers in the state in
Sarah Brill (9-2, 2.83) along with incoming freshman
Shelby Kelley (2-1, 1.07). Ballard hit .363 as a team last season and returns some big hitters in
Hannah Scinta (.372, 11 doubles),
Catie Barber (.450),
Skyelar Houston (.392) and
Alexis Hull (.351).
View the MaxPreps Kentucky softball pro photo galleries5. Mercy (Louisville)2014 record: 30-11
Head coach: Josh Bloomer
Since 2011, Bloomer has led the Jaguars to 128 wins against just 37 defeats. They lost just three seniors off last year's 17-person roster, and return pitcher
Leigh Ellen Thomas, who pitched a perfect game and struck out 17 in a 5-0 district semifinal win over Jeffersontown. That improved the lefty's record to 20-4 at the time.