MaxPreps 2016 Top 100 high school softball rankings

Video: MaxPreps Softball Preseason Top 100

MaxPreps recently released the Top 10 high school softball Early Contenders list, giving softball fans a peek at some of the top teams heading into the year. But the eventual national champion could easily come from well beyond the Top 10. See more info on the other contenders across the nation.


1. Mission Viejo (Calif.)
2. Grand Terrace (Calif.)
3. Atascocita (Humble, Texas)
4. Reed (Sparks, Nev.)
5. Eagle (Idaho)
6. McCracken County (Paducah, Ky.)
7. Pearland (Texas)
8. O'Connor (Phoenix)
9. Los Alamitos (Calif.)
10. Penn (Mishawaka, Ind.)

11. Pacifica (Garden Grove, Calif.)
2015 record: 22-6
Head coach: Mark Campbell
Players to watch: Hannah Boos (Jr., P, UC San Diego commit and 2015 Empire League Pitcher of the Year), Dejah Mulipola (Sr., C, an Arizona signee considered by many to be the top defensive catcher in the country).



Pacifica is another Orange County power loaded with players who play on high-level travel teams. Four of last year's losses were by a total of five runs. Pacifica returns eight key players, including pitcher Boos, and four seniors who will play big roles are Mulipola, Jaymee Campbell (St. Mary's), Irieanna Naea (Cal State Fullerton signee) and Shelby Shultes (New Mexico State signee). Talented juniors include Hannah Martinez (Arizona commit) and Alison Seng (Boise State commit). Senior Sarah Batawala (Indiana Tech signee) also returns.

12. Lewisville (Texas)
2015 record: 28-7
Head coach: Lori Alexander
Players to watch: Maribeth Gorsuch (Sr., P, LSU signee was 24-5 with a 0.86 ERA and 343 strikeouts in 210 innings in leading Lewisville to state finals a year ago. She also batted .463 with 50 hits, eight home runs and 32 RBIs).

Seven starters return from last year's squad, including Gorsuch, who pitched Lewisville to a state title in 2013. The speedy Farmers also rely on slick infielder Tommi Goodman and Kaylee Rodriguez. Gorsuch is also the team's top hitter.

13. Crown Point (Ind.)
2015 record: 29-3
Head coach: Ginger Britton
Players to Watch: Miranda Elish (Sr., P, Oregon signee and Gatorade State Player of the Year went 15-1 with a 0.65 ERA, 198 strikeouts in 107 IP and hit .479), Alexis Holloway (Jr., P, Notre Dame commit had 183 strikeouts in 99 IP with a 0.49 ERA and a 14-2 record).

Elish and Holloway form the best one-two pitching combo in the nation. They combined to allow just 74 hits, 17 earned runs and struck out 381 batters in 206 innings. They could combine for 400 this season. Add Northwestern commit Mackenzie Dunlap (.392), Marie O'Malley (.363) and Morgan Matalin (Valparaiso), and Crown point could climb rapidly in the rankings.

14. Keystone (La Grange, Ohio)
2015 record: 26-6
Head coach: Jim Piazza
Players to Watch: Summer Constable (Sr., SS, Purdue signee batted .535 with 49 runs, 36 SBs and 33 RBIs), Sammie Stefan (Sr., UTIL, Maryland signee batted .517 with 23 extra base hits, including 8 homers, and drove in 45 runs).



The state's winningest program could have its best team ever, as 10 players return. Heading the list are junior pitcher Lauren Shaw (Iowa commit, 20-6 in 2015), Constable and Stefan. Each was named all-state and they are a wrecking crew combo at the plate – Constable batted .535 and Stefan hit .517. They combined to account for 186 runs totaled between RBIs and runs scored. Also back are Destiny Weber (.458, Penn State signee), Madi Cendrosky (Cleveland State commit), Paige Hartley (Cleveland State commit) and McKenah Peters (committed to Youngstown State for basketball). The Wildcats batted .365 a year ago and lost just one starter.

15. Curry (Jasper, Ala.)
2015 record: 46-5
Head coach: Phillip Smith
Players to Watch: Ashlee Swindle (Sr., P, Auburn signee was 43-5 with a 0.22 ERA and 327 strikeouts in 285 innings as a junior), Kaylee Horton (Sr., SS, Mississippi signee stole 21 bases, scored 40 times and batted .512 in 2015).

The team that won 46 of 51 games returns the main reason it did so in Swindle. Opponents batted just .111 against Swindle, who also batted .354 with 45 RBIs. Other key returnees are Horton, Taylor Rowe (.383), Keana Pearson (.344) and Emily Aaron (North Alabama signee, .390).

16. Gainesville (Fla.)
2015 record: 24-2
Head coach: Pete Mariano
Players to Watch: Katie Chronister (Sr., P, Florida signee was 20-2 with 214 strikeouts in 138 IP, 0.56 ERA as a junior).

The team plays excellent defense (fielded .965 with only 25 errors last season) and the lineup hits. Chronister had a .455 batting average and 34 RBIs. Also back are junior Jackie Chronister (.390), senior Brittney Lewis (.338) and Morgan Bare (FSU-Jacksonville), sophomores Maggie Willis (.410), Olivia Hanson (.389) and Hallie Karas (.423). A junior transfer who will help is Callen Delucas.

17. La Grange (Texas)
2015 record: 34-2
Head coach: Arthur Behrend
Players to Watch: Missy Zoch (Sr., P, DePaul signee was 26-2 in 162 IP with 229 strikeouts and a 0.26 ERA),
Blake-Ann Fritsch (Sr., SS, Texas A&M signee batted .495 with 44 runs and 35 RBIs).



La Grange was 34-2 in 2015 and its success starts with Zoch and ends with a powerful offense that hit .431 and averaged 10 runs per game a year ago. La Grange lost only two starters and returns Fritcsh, Hatti Moore (Missouri commit, .418, 8 HR), Amber Loehr (Texas-Tyler, .465, 10 HR, 42 RBIs, 7-0 pitching), Abby Gage (.495), Briana Angel (UT-Arlington, .452), Shelby Dixon (.455) and volleyball all-American Riley Fisbeck (Texas volleyball signee who hit .321 last season).

18. Oak Park-River Forest (Oak Park, Ill.)
2015 record: 33-4
Head coach: Mel Kolbusz
Players to Watch: Chardonnay Harris (Jr., P, Auburn signee was 18-3, 118.2 IP, 20 BB, 176 K, 1.59 ERA and batted .494 with 32 RBIs), Emily Richardson (Sr., P/DP, Valparaiso signee was 15-1 with 112 strikeouts in 100 innings), Maeve Nelson (Soph., SS, Northwestern commit batted .508 with 56 runs, 15 doubles and 36 RBIs. The MaxPreps Underclass All-American was the only freshman named to the Illinois 4A All-State Team).

Top-line pitchers Harris and Richardson make the Huskies legitimate contenders. They combined for a 33-4 record and 276 strikeouts in 230 innings as the Huskies finished third in 4A in 2015. Nelson and seniors Ellie Ziegler and Caitlyn Santiago (.394 average, 39 runs, 11 doubles, 38 RBIs) combine for speed, power and experience.

19. Newsome (Lithia, Fla.)
2015 record: 21-5
Head coach: Autumn Dunn
Players to Watch: Claire Feldman (Sr., P, Utah signee was 10-3, 0.80 ERA, 155 strikeouts in 96 IP), Cassidy Davis (Sr., P, Florida State signee was 10-2 with 1.07 ERA).

Pitching-strong Newsome will be led by pitchers Feldman and Davis (hit .364), Annie Tarte (Yale, .390), Brooke Leistl (South Florida, .386) and Hannah Pridemore (Duke, .526).

20. Forest (Ocala, Fla.)
2015 record: 30-2
Head coach: Pam Silvestre
Players to Watch: Morgan White (Sr., P, Florida's Miss Softball and Florida Gulf Coast signee went 29-2, 1.73 ERA, 335 strikeouts in 198 IP, 12 HRs, 58 RBIs), Jasmine Haynes (Jr., OF, South Florida commit batted .534 with 33 SBs and 53 runs).



Forest lost just two seniors and has White and Haynes back after winning the Class 6A state title a year ago. Also making strong 2015 impressions were five starters who batted over. 300. Kaitlyn Peters (Central Florida, .457, 9 HR, 37 RBIs), sophomore Molly Shutters (.341, 21 RBIs), senior Abby Conrad (.314) and sophomore Nicole Smith (.404) also should produce.

21. Saugus (Calif.)
2015 record: 15-14
Head coach: Bobby Flores
Player to Watch: Mariah Lopez (Sr., P, The No. 1 prep in the country by FloSoftball threw 124 innings with 194 strikeouts, a 12-2 record and 1.05 earned run average in an injury-shortened year. As a sophomore, the Oklahoma signee was named Foothill League Pitcher of the Year and first-team all-conference after throwing 94 innings with a 15-2 record, 170 strikeouts and a 0.59 ERA).

Led by a healthy Lopez, Saugus will be a contender. Ty Cueva (Cal State Northridge), Lindsay Clare (University of San Diego), Cayla Kessinger (Missouri), Makayla Lopez, Ryleigh Bermea and Cassidy Fitzgerald (Idaho State) give her plenty of support.

22. Katy (Texas)
2015 record: 36-6
Head coach: Meghan Brown
Players to Watch: Kayla Garcia (Soph., 3B, Texas A&M commit was MVP of 6A state title game), Nicole Valdez (Sr., IF, Colorado State signee earned first team all-district and academic all-district honors).

Reigning state 6A champion Katy scored 10 runs or more 20 times last season. The Tigers' overall playoff margin was 113-53, with series wins against Reagan, Cy Woods, Cy-Fair, Alvin and Brazoswood. Katy returns seven all-district players including outfielder McKay Bloxham (Texas Lutheran), Garcia, catcher Corey Burrough (Penn), Valdez, outfielder Katie Clark (Stephen F. Austin), Bailee Shashack and shortstop Emily Hitt (East Texas). Also back are Ashley Nassy (Edwards) and Kylie Redding, the winning pitcher in the state title game. Impact newcomers could be pitcher Chloe Cobb and catcher Cait Calland (Texas commit).

23. Siegel (Murfreesboro, Tenn.)
2015 record: 35-7
Head coach: Perry Lyons
Players to Watch: Veronica Westfall (Sr., P, Middle Tennessee signee earned all-state honors after going 31-6, 300-plus strikeouts and a 0.96 ERA. The District 7-AAA Player of the Year also hit .414 with 29 extra base hits).



Westfall is the key, but also returning are catcher Karalynne Levi (.324 and 43 RBIs, Carson Newman University), Ciera Purvis (.437, 25 SB) and senior DH Cede Loftis (.378 and 39 RBIs, committed to Chattanooga State. Newcomer freshman Caitlyn McCrary (Tennessee commit) is expected to make an impact immediately.

24. Campbell (Ewa Beach, Hawaii)
2015 record: 17-2
Head coach: Michael "Shag" Hermosura

Five all-state players return, including POY and pitcher Elisa Favela, from a state title-winning team that had only three seniors on the roster. Also back are shortstop Chardonnay Pantastico (Hawaii), DP Sierra Mariano (Cal State Stanislaus), first baseman Caragh Morris and Darien Robinson (SW Baptist).

25. Etiwanda (Calif.)
2015 record: 24-9
Head coach: David Masucci
Players to Watch: Briana Wheeler (Sr., P, Hawaii signee went 17-3, 182 strikeouts in 129 IP, 1.31 ERA), Vanessa Taukeiaho (Sr., IF, Oklahoma signee hit 11 HR and batted .456).

Etiwanda lost just one starter from a 24-9 team. Key seniors are Hailey Freeman (Grand Canyon, .447, 42 RBIs,), Megan Stevens (Grand Canyon, 11 HR, 42 RBIs, .462) and Taukeiaho is the monster of the batting order.

26. Coronado (Henderson, Nev.)
Every starter returns from a team that hit .358 with 99 extra base hits in 39 games, and that includes sophomore Tatum Spangler (.423, 41 runs, 9-2, 2.16 ERA), seniors Sarah Pinkston (10-5, 1.85 ERA, .355 average, 34 RBIs), Basia Query (.452, 36 RBIs) and Brooke Younie (.327). Add juniors Jillian James (.356, 29 RBIs), Marissa Kopp (.337), Taylor Okamura (.347), Sophia McCann (.301) and Dylan Underwood (.396, 33 runs) and there is a surplus of depth.



27. Woodinville (Wash.)
The Falcons finished third at the 4A state tournament and return five all-league players and seven starters with a goal to improve upon that 2015 finish. Key returnees are junior catcher Skylar Hein (.485, 31 RBIs, errorless), pitcher Lauryn Rhinehart (27 RBIs, .451, 1.83 ERA with 1.5 strikeouts per inning), Jordyn Boyd (.400), Olivia Riener (.426) and Taylor Rhinehart (.407, .667 slugging percentage). Other returnees are Gina Wyner and Paige Grover. Freshman Rachel Rhinehart is also expected to see some pitching time.

28. Bishop Carroll (Wichita, Kan.)
The defending national champions lost two all-Americans from last year's 25-0 team, but they return six starters who hit .493 or better in 2015. They include Jordan Schartz (.635), Meghan Guiterrez (.597), Callie Gowing (.556), Maddie Miller (Texas-Arlington) and Brianna Hogan (committed to Louisiana-Monroe, .551). Returning in the circle is Sammy Knoblauch (10-0, 1.38 ERA).

29. Gibbs (Corryton, Tenn.)
Everyone returns from Gibbs' 2015 team that went 36-8, including all-state pitcher Abby Hicks (Cumberlands) and all-state players Sierra Hucklebee (.409, 51 runs, 57 RBIs), Olivia Wheeler (.465, 38 SB, 54 runs) and Leah Sohm (48 SB, .481, 64 runs). Other returnees include Kayley Kern (.344), Ashley Daniels (West Virginia Tech signee) and four-year starter Sarah McFarland. Gibbs will run on anyone after averaging .381 and eight runs per game.

30. Enka (N.C.)
Enka has won 40 of its last 42 games, including all 29 in 2015. Along with that perfect season came the 3A state championship when the team averaged 10 runs per game.. The nucleus of that powerful team returns with pitcher Courtney Pearson (Queens commit and 15-0 a year ago), who was honored as the 3A West Pitcher of the Year. Also returning are all-state teammates Brittany Fletcher and Alabama sophomore commit Kloyee Anderson. Add senior Addison Harris and juniors Danielle Harris and Payton Trantham, and Enka's win streak could balloon.

31. Sam Houston (Lake Charles, La.)
The Broncos return Louisiana Miss Softball Tanner Wright (Southeastern Louisiana signee) and will be favored to win their fifth title in six years. Wright pitched every game last season and finished with 190 strikeouts in 169 innings with an ERA of 0.75. She also hit .375. Also back are all-state shortstop Padyn Williams (.420), third baseman Tayler Strother (.452 on-base percentage) and outfielder Madigan Eldridge (.353 OBP, 16 RBIs).

32. Sherwood (Sandy Spring, Md.)
Another perfect season in 2015 stretched Sherwood's win streak to 83. The last time Sherwood lost was in 2011. Back is unbeaten pitcher Jaime Schmier, who was 22-0 a year ago. She has plenty of support in McKenzie Bina, Brittany Mathis, Amanda Berkley (Mt. St. Mary's University) and Marisa Mancini (Swarthmore College).



33. Parkland (Allentown, Pa.)
Behind PIAA 4A Pitcher of the Year Aubree Fritzinger, Parkland won 29 of 30 games in 2015 and is 59-2 over last two years. Fritzinger, a junior, was 27-1 with a 1.31 ERA. She was named PIAA 4A Player of the Year by the Pennsylvania High School Coaches Softball Association.

34. Deer Park (Texas)
Deer Park will compete with pitchers Erin Edmoundson (Texas Tech) and Payton McBride (Texas A&M). McBride not only pitches (13-6, 1.19 ERA), but she hits (.577, 50 RBIs, 25 extra base hits). The same can be said for Edmoundson (16-1, 1.52 ERA and .424 average, 33 RBIs).

35. Midway (Waco, Texas)
Seven all-district performers in 12-6A return, including pitcher Chandlar Coskrey, co-MVP Taylor Ellis, offensive MVP Rhein Trochim and defensive MVP Morgan Ling.

36. South Hills (West Covina, Calif.)
Florida commit Natalie Lugo (15-6, 0.73 ERA, 263 strikeouts in 143 IP) keys South Hills. But also back are all-league players Clarissa Perez, Mariah Tovar, Christie Aguilar and Melysia Ortega. Lugo pitched a one-hitter with 13 strikeouts and lost 2-0 to Mission Viejo last season. She never allowed more than four hits in a single game and batters hit a measly .076 against her.

37. Canyon (New Braunfels, Texas)
Canyon will be led by sophomore Brooke Vestal, who posted a 24-5 record with 348 strikeouts. She pitched four no-hitters, seven one-hitters, six two-hitters and three three-hitters and struck out 18 in one playoff game. She was all-state Class 6A and all-district 25-6A MVP.

38. Dickson County (Tenn.)
The state 3A runner-up with a 44-6 record returns all-staters Brooklin Lee (Belmont, 34-4) and Ashley Scott (Union, 56 RBIs, .463 average). Also back are MaKray Odom (Treveca Nazarene, 64 runs, .555 average, 42 RBIs) and Selena Crafton (.435, 59 runs).



39. East Union (Manteca, Calif.)
EUHS could rise quickly in the polls after going 30-3 last season and losing just one player from last year's team that batted .467 and scored almost 10 runs per game. Key players are all-American Samantha Owen (Pacific, .643, 61 RBIs, 72 hits, 9 HR), Alexis Erich (.644, 10 HR, 59 RBIs) and six other starters hitting well over .300.

40. Bald Knob (Ark.)
Bald Knob finished the season with 24 wins in a row and the state 4A title. Gatorade State Player of the Year Autumn Humes (Harding signee) is a one-player wrecking crew (25-1, 246 strikeouts in 155 innings, 0.41 ERA, 11 homers, 67 RBIs, .543 average). Bald Knob lost one senior starter and returns Lindsey Duncan (.453), Christianna Camp (.309), Hannah Fisher (.367), Kynlee Brimer (.379) and Janna Smith (.413).

41. Keller (Texas)
Six three-year starters return from a 26-6 team, including pitcher Kaylee Rogers (24-4), outfielder Kennedy Legg (Ole Miss), first baseman Shelby Henderson (Lamar) and Mikayla McClasky (Missouri).

42. Lehi (Utah)
Every starter is back from the state 5A champion, including senior pitchers Stefani Zimmerman (10-4, 3.23 ERA .375, 38 RBIs) and Salt Lake Tribune POY and Weber State commit Sydney White (12-4, 2.24 ERA, .436, 32 RBIs, 25 extra base hits), Emme Cluff (.355, 26 RBIs), Rylin Roberts (Weber State volleyball signee, .447, 47 RBIs, 6 HR) and Brogan Kirby (.341, 9 HRs).

43. Payson (Ariz.)
Winning 34 of 36 games wasn't enough, as Payson came up a game short in the state 3A title game. But with a pair of Paulsons in the lineup, good things happen. Arissa Paulson (11 homers, 59 RBIs, .544 average, 26-2, 0.41 ERA, 170 IP with 375 strikeouts) and Aubrie Paulson (28 IP with 59 strikeouts, 6-0, .415, 42 runs), were impressive a year ago. Add Anilese Hayes (8 HR, 41 RBIs, .418) and Payson might win the big one.

44. Coral Springs Charter (Fla.)
CSC went 29-0-1 in 2015, with the only blemish being a 1-1 tie with Marist (Chicago). Only two senior starters graduated and everyone else returns, including All-American Allison Muraskin (.351, 26-0, 0.52 ERA, 293 strikeouts in 149 IP). Also back are Amber Flynn (.403), Gianna Boccagno (.384), Skylar Fairchild (.388, 13 doubles) and Kayla Scaperrotta (31 RBIs, 20 extra base hits and .477).



45. St. Joseph (Trumbull, Conn.)
St. Joseph graduated three from a 26-0 title-winning team, and returns all-American pitcher Nicole Williams (23-0, 213 strikeouts in 138 IP, 0.66 ERA, .438 average, 22 RBIs) and Melissa Bike (.482), Hanna Errico (.400) and Jovanna Hillman (.489, 40 RBIs). The Cadets have lost just twice in the last two seasons, both by 1-0 margins.

46. North DeSoto (Stonewall, La.)
EmmaCallie Delafield (26-1, 1.4 strikeouts per inning and a 1.08 ERA) is back after leading the Griffins to the state 4A title and 19 straight wins to end the season. She the was Shreveport Times POY.

47. Huntington Beach (Calif.)
With five future Pac-12 players - pitcher Alyssa Horeczko (Stanford), Kristina Inouye (Cal), Chance Burden (Oregon State), Ivy Davis (Arizona) and Allee Bunker (Oregon) - Huntington Beach will be good. Janie Hammond (Belmont) is another college signee.

48. The Woodlands (Texas)
The Highlanders were hit hard by graduation, but have reloaded nicely with junior pitcher Emily Langkamp (13-3, 1.50 ERA, .333 average) and Kelcy Leach (.384, 8 HR) returning.

49. South (Olathe, Kan.)
Four top-notch seniors return in pitcher Lexie Storrer, catcher Kala Holder (Pittsburgh), shortstop Abby Weber and DP Sammi Bates. They helped the Falcons to a 22-2 record and state title in 2015.

50. Turners Falls (Montague, Mass.)
Four all-state players return, including pitcher MacKenzie Phillips, who struck out 272 and allowed only 16 runs in 155 innings pitched. She allowed five runs in six playoff games for the Indians, striking out 48 batters en route to the school's seventh state championship.



51. Tahoma (Kent, Wash.)
The Bears lost only two seniors after going 21-1 and winning the 4A title.

52. Neshoba Central (Philadelphia, Miss.)
Freshman Aspen Wesley leads the way in 2016 after earning all-state honors in a title-winning season as an eighth-grader.

53. Coronado (Lubbock, Texas)
Success starts with senior Kaitlynn Dawson (Sam Houston State signee), who went 26-2 pitching (1.85 ERA in 155 IP with 175 strikeouts) and hit 12 homers.

54. Lakewood (Hebron, Ohio)
State runner-up went 36-2 last season with both losses being by one run.

55. Marengo (Ill.)
Junior pitcher Mariah Dionne has two seasons remaining after leading Marengo to a 35-7 record and runner-up finish in 3A. Last season, she had a 1.82 ERA, a 26-4 record and 266 strikeouts in 192 innings and also hit .455 with 12 home runs, 10 doubles and 49 RBIs.

56. Teays Valley (Ashville, Ohio)
The 4A state champions return all-state pitcher Alyssa Rothwell (Ball State signee).



57. Fitch (Groton, Conn.)
Pitcher Caroline Taber (Princeton), the Gatorade State Player of the Year, led Fitch to a 26-1 record and state runner-up status in 2015.

58. Greenwood (Ark.)
The reigning 6A state champions return senior pitcher Victoria Taylor (9-1 in the circle with a 0.37 ERA and struck out 129 batters in just 75 innings) and five other players who earned postseason honors.

59. Chino Hills (Calif.)
Junior shortstop Taylon Snow (Washington commit) leads a team with at least nine other players who will play at the collegiate level.

60. Pioneer (San Jose, Calif.)
Pioneer lost on the last day of the season in 2015 to finish 29-1 and returns all-American pitcher Holly Azevedo (UCLA commit) who allowed just one earned run last season ... on the last day of the season.

61. Clovis (Calif.)
Sophomore pitcher Danielle Lung (Fresno Bee Pitcher of the Year) finished 21-1 with a 1.16 ERA, nine shutouts and 141 strikeouts in 126 innings.

62. Spanish Fork (Utah)
Senior Taylor Miller (10 HR, 40 RBIs, .454) and junior Cambrie Hazel (20-3, 0.74 ERA) give the Dons a big edge this season.



63. Mount St. Dominic Academy (Caldwell, N.J.)
Junior all-American Kelsey Oh will be out to improve upon a season stat line of 23-1, 0.18 ERA (277 strikeouts in 152 IP) after a 26-1 team finish.

64. Union County (Union, S.C.)
Senior pitcher Payton Martin and shortstop Dexlie Inman highlight Union's bid for a third-straight 3A title.

65. Sumiton Christian (Ala.)
All-Americans Jenna Ergle and Kendall Beth Sides led Sumiton Christian to a 47-12 season and state title and are back for their junior campaigns. They combined for 317 runs accounted for and 45-10 pitching.

66. Desert Vista (Phoenix)
Senior pitcher Brooke Hughes (17-8, 2.08) is back.

67. Sparkman (Harvest, Ala.)
Led by shortstop MacKenzie Nutt (Auburn), the perennial power has reloaded after going 40-12 and finishing as the 7A runner-up.

68. West Orange (Winter Garden, Fla.)
The Warriors came up one run short and missed a trip to state in 2015, but return Class 8A Pitcher of the Year Lauren Mathis (Georgia commit).



69. Springville (Utah)
All-state pitcher Kaycie Jensen (21-6) leads a long list of returnees.

70. Sarasota (Fla.)
After a state 7A runner-up finish, the Sailors look to do better with all-state pitcher Brittany Bendel (23-4, 2.39 ERA and 129 strikeouts) back.

71. East Carter (Grayson, Ky.)
The Raiders were 27-6 a year ago, but with super sophomores Montana Fouts (19-2, 0.16 ERA, 223 strikeouts in 133 IP, .587 average, 44 RBIs) and Eden Mayo (.521, 47 runs) coming back, others will notice.

72. Springville (Ala.)
Fueled by eighth-grade standout pitcher Abby Swaney (33-9 with 279 strikeouts, 0.59 ERA), Springville won the 2015 5A state title. Swaney (Samford commit) is back for four more seasons.

73. Volcano Vista (Albuquerque, N.M.)
Last year's Class 6A state runner-up returns six starters from a 24-4 team. The Hawks will be led by seniors Angelica Lujan and Lauren Wilmert, a pair of University of New Mexico signees

74. Amador Valley (Pleasanton, Calif.)
The Dons have one of California's best pitchers in Danielle Williams (24-3, 0.98 ERA).



75. La Cueva (Albuquerque, N.M.)
After finishing 24-5, La Cueva is loaded and led by the power combo of Andrea Howard and Shannon Stein, who combined for 23 homers and 97 RBIs a year ago.

76. Oakleaf (Orange Park, Fla.)
Returnees Kelsey Sweatt, Gina Eller, Alexis Goyette, Rebecca Koskey and Mika Garcia should produce a long season for Oakleaf.

77. Elk Grove (Calif.)
Pitchers Courtney Riley (14-2, 1.41 ERA) and Miranda Miles (11-2, 2.23) are back. Miles also hit .443 with 39 hits and 23 RBIs and Riley hit .375 with 30 hits and 22 RBIs.

78. Baker (Mobile, Ala.)
The state champion finished 50-6 and ended the season on a 24-game win streak and returns pitcher Jordan Holifield (Mississippi College), who went 13-1 with a 1.67 ERA in 23 appearances as a junior.

79. Baker County (Glen St. Mary, Fla.)
Multiple all-starte players return from the 2015 5A title team.

80. Eastview (Apple Valley, Minn.)
Eleven players return from Eastview's 34-9 season that ended with a 3A state title.



81. Central (Fresno, Calif.)
The Grizzlies (35-8 in 2015) will be pitching strong with Gianna Mancha (22-4, 0.62 ERA) and senior Ciera Montalvo (13-4, 1.81).

82. Putnam (Milwaukie, Ore.)
The 5A state champion Kingsmen (25-5) return 5A Pitcher of the Year Sarah Abramson.

83. Ooltewah (Tenn.)
Sophomore Kayla Boseman (Mississippi) was named MaxPreps Freshman of the Year and the 3A Miss East Tennessee Softball as a freshman when she led the Owls (40-10) to a third-place 3A finish. Her numbers: 13 homers, 15 doubles, 68 RBIs, 22-4 record, 241 strikeouts in 141 IP with a 1.46 ERA.

84. Krum (Texas)
Super sophomores Tristan Bridges (25-3, 1.05 ERA) and Morgan Sebastian (51 RBIs) are a year older after leading the Bobcats to a 31-6 season.

85. Washington Township (Sewell, N.J.)
Junior pitcher Lauren Shannon returns for her senior season.

86. Logan (La Crosse, Wis.)
Senior Jordyn Kleman (22-1, 0.35 ERA, 314 strikeouts) led Logan to a 2A title. She has signed with Winona State.



87. St. Mary Catholic Central (Monroe, Mich.)
With Meghan Beaubien in the circle, the Falcons/Kestrels can beat anyone. She led her team (36-5) to the D-3 state title and threw a no-hitter in the title game. In compiling a 28-3 record, Beaubien threw 10 no-hitters and struck out more than 400 batters on the season. Named Michigan's Gatorade Softball POY, she has committed to Michigan.

88. Leonardtown (Md.)
Junior Kaitlin Beasley-Polko (Coastal Carolina commit) had 357 strikeouts (13 times with 16 or more in a game with a season high of 24), 20-3 record (14 shutouts), and two of her three losses were by 1-0 margins, the last two to state champion Sherwood. Can the Raiders end Sherwood's streak?

89. Northern (Owings, Md.)
The 2015 3A state winners return all but one senior from a team that batted almost .400.

90. East (Anchorage, Alaska)
East won its fourth-straight state title and ran its win streak to 86. Freshman Daisy Page went 19-0 with 18 complete games, 92 strikeouts and 14 walks in 91 innings, and a 1.08 ERA.

91. Downers Grove South (Ill.)
Downers Grove South will be led by Caroline Hedgcock (Arkansas signee). As a junior, she was 15-1 with a 1.12 ERA. She also hits (.543 average., 10 homers, 68 RBIs). Also back is Payton Buresch (James Madison).

92. Hargrave (Huffman, Texas)
The state 4A champs have reloaded.



93. New Albany (Ohio)
Pitcher Sydney Warinner is back.

94. Ridge Point (Missouri City, Texas)
Pitchers Makinzy Herzog (15-3) and Lindsey Longuet (10-1) headline 11 returnees from the 2015 State 5A semifinalist.

95. Hurricane (W. Va.)
Clutch hitter Amber Null is back after leading Hurricane to a state title and 37-2 season.

96. Floyd Central (Floyds Knobs, Ind.)
Junior Taylor Castleberry (.456, 40 SBs) and seniors Kassie King (16-4, 1.21 ERA) and Gabbi Jenkins (.483, 56 RBIs) lead eight returnees from a 28-7 team.

97. Anoka (Minn.)
The state 3A runner-up returns seven starters.

98. Hamilton (Chandler, Ariz.)
Senior pitcher Chey Noli (Cal State Northridge) will take Hamilton far.

99. Granville (Ohio)
The reigning D-2 champions started four freshmen in 2015.



100. Pendleton (Ore.)
The state's second-best 5A team wants another shot at a title with Notre Dame signee Ellie Richards and Portland State signee Alexis Morrison now seniors.