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

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1. Campbell (Ewa Beach)
2016 record: 18-1
Head coach: Shag Hermosura

The Sabers lost six players to the collegiate ranks from their Division 1 state title team (their third title since 2010), but until someone unseats them they will remain No. 1. The main reason they start the season on top is they have the islands' top battery returning in state Gatorade winner Jocelyn Alo (.612 batting average with a Division 1-leading 12 doubles, eight home runs and 30 RBIs) and top pitcher Danielle Cervantes (11-0, 1.18 ERA and 104 strikeouts in 77 innings). Cervantes (Hawaii-Hilo signee) was the D-1 Pitcher of the Year.

Alo, a two-sport athlete who won a girls state title in wrestling, homered and drove in four runs in the state title game and was named MVP of the D-1 tournament. She was also honored as the Hawaii D-1 Position Player of the Year. A 2016 MaxPreps All-American, Alo has signed with Oklahoma.

Also back are All-State pick Cieana Curran and Niki Corta (Hawaii-Hilo), who was named to the all-state tournament team.

See last season's Hawaii softball computer rankings

2. Nanakuli (Waianae)
2016 record: 17-1
Head coach: Ricky Guzman

The Golden Hawks didn't lose until the final game of the season to finish with a 17-1 record. Unfortunately, the lone loss occurred in the state D-2 title game and prevented them from winning their third-straight state title. It would have been their fourth D-2 title in five seasons.

But there are plenty of reasons to support Nanakuli being rated the state's top preseason D-2 team. Namely, the return of pitchers Chalyssa Belford (junior) and All-State pitcher Kanalei McCoy (senior), All-State catcher Kaila Burnett (who led the team in hits and runs), infielder Mahina Piilani and outfielder Chabrynne Kekua. Add four other players who return from last year's squad and it's easy to understand the optimism.

But the most important key component could be the return of junior Cheyenne Lute, who led Nanakuli to the state title as a freshman in 2015 (and was named tournament MVP). She opted to play baseball in 2016 and batted over .400 for the boys varsity baseball team as starting catcher. She pitches, catches and plays middle infield.

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3. 'Iolani (Honolulu)
2016 record: 15-4
Head coach: Dean Yonamine

The Raiders finished the season with a pair of shutout victories and won 12 of their last 14 games to set the stage for 2017. There is plenty to be optimistic about with the return of sophomore pitching ace Aleia Agbayani (12 wins) and seniors Kawaiuluhonua Scanlan, Kennedi Lopes, Macy Uyehara (St. Martin's signee), Marcee Nakamura, Leila Anoina and Ashlyn Okamoto.

The Raiders will have experience, hitting and pitching. The goal is to solve Campbell's battery of Aho and Cervantes.

See last season's Hawaii softball playoff brackets

4. Pac-Five (Honolulu)
2016 record: 10-6-1
Head coach: Cecil Hasegawa

The Wolfpack got hot when they needed it in 2016, winning their final five games and the state D-2 title. They spoiled Nanakuli's plans of winning its third-straight championship, rallying to win the title game, 6-4.

The Wolfpack return 14 players, including top pitcher Megan Yoshioka. Also back are All-State outfielder Kalyn Kershner (.390 batting average), Kiara Peterson (.417 batting average) and Karley Ann Yoshioka. (.377 batting average). Their goal: prove last year's season-ending streak was not a fluke.

See last season's Hawaii softball stat leaders

5. Roosevelt (Honolulu)
2016 record: 9-6
Head coach: Clay Okamura

The Rough Riders were likely the youngest team in the state last year as seven players – three sophomores, two freshmen and two juniors – won postseason honors. All are back, including pitcher Mari Foster and the entire infield (first sacker Mika Emoto, third baseman Danika Stewart and the middle infield tandem of Kylie Kawamura and Maya Nakamura). Also back are catcher Haylie Uetake and outfielder Megan Taguchi. Coach Clay Okamura was honored coach of the year in 2016 and appears to have plenty to work with in coming years.