Valentine’s Day also marked the release of the FAB 50 national preseason softball rankings, as produced by Student Sports and compiled by Cal-Hi Sports since the two organizations continue to work together.
California teams are always in the hunt for the mythical national title in softball and this year will be no different, with the only caveat being that Orange County seems stronger than even usual.
Mission Viejo, which went 26-2 last season and was No. 1 overall in the state until suffering a playoff upset, checked in at No. 2 in the preseason FAB 50. The Diablos will be led by junior slugger Alyssa Palomino (17 homers last season) and pitcher Taylor McQuillen, who both have committed to Arizona.
Right behind the Diablos at No. 3 is Pacifica of Garden Grove. The Mariners, who were No. 1 in last year’s preseason FAB 50 but ended 26-6, still have a big-time pitching duo of Kaley Carlson (North Carolina) and Kaley Winegarner (Stanford).
The 10 other teams from the state to gain recognition in the preseason FAB 50 are: Amador Valley (Pleasanton), Archbishop Mitty (San Jose), Esperanza (Anaheim), Vintage (Napa), Norco, Marina (Huntington Beach), Yorba Linda, California (San Ramon), Santiago (Corona) and Chino.
For the full list with writeups on each team, CLICK HERE.
