2016 Vermont Preseason Softball Fab 5, presented by the Army National Guard
1. Mount Anthony (Bennington)
Head coaches: Katie Contrada and Brooke Remington
2015 finish: 19-1
The two-time defending Division I champions will find out what life is like without star pitcher Baylee Ports, the Gatorade State Player of the Year. They rode her arm all the way to the title while allowing just one run in the four state tournament games. All-league catcher Julie Elwell also graduated. Outfielder Lauren Woodcock is back after knocking in the only run in the state title game and earning honorable mention all-league honors. They didn't lose to any Vermont teams last season.
See last season's softball computer rankings
2. Essex (Essex Junction)Head coach: Ashley Stebbins
2015 finish: 16-2
The Hornets have a ton coming back after they fell in the Division I semifinals to BFA-St. Albans but will do so with a new coach. First baseman Victoria Bean, outfielder Kristen Perkins and pitcher Ali Rutz were all first-team all-league selections as juniors last season. Only two players graduated, so another stellar record should come out of Essex Junction this season.
See softball photo galleries
3. Bellows Free Academy (St. Albans)Head coach: Richard "Bert" Berthiaume
2015 finish: 16-4
Only four players graduated from last season's state finalist team, though one is pitcher Maria Machia. Two first-team all-league seniors are back in action this season, with outfielder Devan Blodgett and catcher Emilee Teague coming back in addition to two more second-team players. BFA lost 1-0 in the title game, the second-straight year the Comets have been ousted by Mount Anthony.
See Vermont softball playoff brackets
4. Bellows Free Academy (Fairfax) Head coach: Geri Witalec
2015 finish: 18-0
The Division II champions have three titles in the last four years. But they lost a lot to graduation. League Pitcher of the Year Kayla Mathieu and Offensive Player of the Year Kayla Nester are gone, leaving some big shoes to fill and two other first-team all-league players also moved on. Second-team all-league honoree Kaitlyn Barnack will hold down the shortstop spot as a senior.
See softball stat leaders
5. ColchesterHead coach: Courtney Boetsma
2015 finish: 15-3
The Lakers had nobody on the first-team all-league list, yet reached the state semifinals. That earned Boetsma Coach of the Year honors, and this year's team has Danielle Whitham back in the outfield (second team as a junior) and Alli Sheets pitching (second team).
