MaxPreps 2017 North Dakota preseason high school softball Fab 5, presented by the Army National Guard

Video: One-Handed Softball Star Kim Basile
See the inspirational athlete following her passion.


1. West Fargo
2016 record: 31-3
Head coach: Pat Johnson

The Packers are the gold standard in North Dakota softball, winning 19 straight titles (dating back to before it was a sanctioned sport). West Fargo, which dispatched Dickinson in the 2016 title game, shows no sign of letting off the gas. The Packers return twins and battery mates, pitcher Stephi Dullum and catcher Sami Dullum. Stephi had a sub-1.00 ERA and more than 230 strikeouts last season and a connection with her catcher that is unmatched.
The Packers lost senior Morgan Geiszler to the newly formed Sheyenne Mustangs program, but return senior Megan Nelson and Katie Gilbertson.

See the MaxPreps North Dakota softball computer rankings

2. Dickinson
2016 record: 32-4
Head coach: Amanda Mickey

The Midgets have reached the Class A state final two straight seasons, only to be foiled by West Fargo. The trip back to the finals is the goal, but Dickinson will have to first find a way to replace pitcher Madison Jahner, the Gatorade Player of the Year. Jahner was virtually unhittable, posting a 1.88 ERA, allowing 63 hits and fanning 130 in 93.1 innings. Picking up the pitching mantle will be junior Amber Sickler, who will have veteran catcher Jordanne McNeilly behind the plate for her senior campaign. Sarah Dobitz also returns for the Midgets.

See the MaxPreps North Dakota softball stat leaders

3. Kindred/Richland (Kindred)
2016 Record: 19-3
Head coach: Sam Brandt The Vikings are the defending Class B state champions and have won two titles in the past three years. So expectations are high for Kindred-Richland. Theresa Klinnert, who shared time with graduated Savannah Christensen, will look to shoulder the load in the circle. Shortstop Mikayla Reinke returns for the Vikings after earning All-State Class B honors. Her double-play mate senior second baseman Emily Peterson also returns.

See the MaxPreps North Dakota softball playoff brackets

4. Shanley (Fargo)
2016 record: 12-4
Head coach: Chad Slyter

The Deacons lost pitcher Molly Schmidt and shortstop Lauren Rotunda from a team that finished fourth last season in the Class A tournament. But Shanley coach Chad Slyter has plenty of talent coming back with infielder Hope Roeber, pitcher Ingrid Swanson and senior catcher Allison Goddin.

See the MaxPreps softball photos

5. Bishop Ryan (Minot)
2016 record: 20-17
Head coach: Julie Stewart

The Lions fell in the Class A consolation championship, but return a ton of talent and thoughts of making a deep playoff run. Senior Emma Garber leads a pitching staff that includes junior Eden Kramer and freshman Annika Stewart. The Lions have a reliable senior backstop in Hailee Jundt, who named All-State after hitting .370 with a home run and on-base percentage of .445. The Lions also return senior second baseman Shayla Elm.