Gulliver will start right where it left off.

The Raiders, winners of back-to-back state championships, are expected to debut this season ranked among the top five softball teams in the nation.

Now it's up to their leaders to keep them at the top.

“We can't get comfortable,” senior pitcher Christina Gabriele said. “Everybody is gunning for us, now more than ever. We need to keep improving ourselves and not let our guard down.”

Gabriele was the ace on the mound last season for Gulliver, which went 31-2, became the first Miami-Dade County team to win two state titles in a row in softball, and finished ranked as high as No. 2 nationally.

A three-peat and a national championship — the two main goals this season — appear attainable with a veteran squad returning laden with quality starters at nearly all positions.

“As far as our pitching and starting lineup go, we'll be fine,” Gulliver coach Mark Schusterman said. “The key will be our depth and if our young players can develop quickly during the season.”

Gabriele went 21-2 with an 0.87 ERA and hit .410 with 27 RBI last season. She signed with George Mason University during the early signing period. Gabriele will be the main pitcher again, but Gulliver has two more capable pitchers in junior Stephanie Texeira and sophomore Gaby Draney, who transferred from Coral Gables.

Texeira will play at first base primarily and should give the Raiders hitting depth coming off a season in which she hit .440 with five home runs and 34 RBI.

Senior outfielder Dominique Grossman is the big bat in the lineup once again. Grossman, who signed with Georgia Southern, hit six home runs last season.

Junior third baseman Ashley Leon is one of the highest-rated players in the nation at her position and anchors a solid defensive infield along with senior second baseman Taryn Bray and sophomore shortstop Crystal Garcia.

“It always takes a couple of weeks after you come back from travel ball to get back on track,” Gabriele said. “I think the majority of us are confident since we've played together so long, and we mesh so well out there.”

Under the Florida High School Athletic Association's new alignment that expanded to eight classes, the Raiders moved to Class 4A. Gulliver will no longer have to contend with longtime rival Plantation American Heritage in the playoffs.

The Raiders' region, however, still has several talented local opponents such as Ransom, Doral, Carrollton and Cardinal Gibbons, Pine Crest and University in Broward. Satellite, the team Gulliver beat for the title last season, is also in Class 4A.

Other teams have a solid chance of representing Dade at state.

Westminster Christian has a talented infield led by sophomores Brittany Husk and Caitlin Charlton. The Warriors will contend with Florida Christian among others in Class 3A.

Palmetto, led by returning senior pitcher Meg Parker, has a chance to return to its top standing in Class 8A. Braddock, Dade's representative last season, graduated all of its pitchers, although several of its position players such as catcher Dee Espinosa are back. Southwest, Coral Reef, Lourdes and Varela all figure to be contenders for a trip to state in Class 8A.

NOTE: Schools not listed did not return outlooks to The Miami Herald. Coaches are asked to report their game results this season via email at dadepreps@MiamiHerald.com. Please call 305-376-3700 to confirm receipt of results Monday through Saturday after 6:30 p.m.