1. Red Mountain (Mesa)
2014 finish: 32-6
Head coach: Rich Hamilton

There is no reason to pick anyone other than the Mountain Lions until someone knocks Hamilton's group off down the stretch. It hasn't happened since 2009 when Red Mountain finished as state runner-up. We'll do the math for you – that's six straight big-school finals appearances and five straight championships. Senior shortstop Alyssa Fernandez (.395, 8 HRs, 31 RBIs), junior Lindsey Steverson (.273, 22 RBIs) and senior Alexandra Wiley (5-0, 0.44 ERA) will be counted on to keep the streak intact.

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2. Mountain Ridge (Glendale)
2014 finish: 29-7
Head coach: Michele Markham

The D-I state runner-up returns some definite firepower on offense, as the team hit .425 last year behind junior Alyssa Dicarlo (.583, 42 runs, 16 HRs, 63 RBIs), Kaylin Ayotte (.524, 19 runs, 22 RBIs) and three other players who hit at least .400 with 22 runs and 14 RBIs. The pitching should be covered as well, with junior Giselle Juarez (15-2, 2.24 ERA) and Ayotte (6-1, 3.50) ready to make another run at Red Mountain's reign.

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3. O'Connor (Phoenix)
2014 finish: 29-6
Head coach: Melissa Hobson

The Eagles had only one senior listed on their roster a year ago and appear to be loaded for a deep run led by senior Justyce McClain (.568, 55 runs, 22 RBIs), sophomore Hayley Busby (.454, 23 runs, 30 RBIs) and sophomore Madison Westmoreland (.362, 7 HRs, 40 RBIs) among others. If these young players mature and improve, Sandra Day O'Connor could move to the top of this list.

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4. Horizon (Scottsdale)
2014 finish: 24-8
Head coach: Jackie Coburn

The Huskies earned a first-round bye in D-I last year, but lost their first game to miss out on the final eight. The pieces are in place to make sure Horizon doesn't come up short again, as the lineup returns nearly intact led by senior Tamara Statman (.515, 34 runs, 25 RBIs), senior Kaila Jacobi (.343, 17 runs, 19 RBIs) and junior Gabby Moreno (.481, 26 runs) with Statman (20-8, 1.22) pulling double duty.

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5. Hamilton (Chandler)
2014 finish: 24-11
Head coach: Rocky Parra

The Huskies had two quality hurlers last year – junior Cheyenne Noli (16-9, 2.18) and sophomore Samantha Martinez (7-2, 2.83) – that will give Hamilton a chance to make a deeper run than the 1-2 showing it had at state last year. The offense will be led by sophomore Bella Loomis (.407, 27 runs, 18 RBIs), junior Rachel Foote (.360, 19 runs, 30 RBIs) and junior Nicole Spykstra (.333, 24 runs, 23 RBIs).

Jason P. Skoda, a former Arizona Republic and current Prep Sports Director for 1013 Communications, is a 20-year sports writing veteran. Contact him at jskoda1024@aol.com.