Analysis: Polk County softball in thick of race for WHC automatic playoff berths

A Western Highlands Conference championship may be out of reach, but Polk County remains very much in the hunt for a 2A state softball playoff berth.

Unofficial WHC standings have the Wolverines a half-game behind Owen for third place in the league. The top three teams earn automatic playoff berths for the state 2A playoffs, scheduled to begin May 14.

Madison owns an 8-0 record to lead the league, its margin currently a half-game over second place Mountain Heritage. The two teams are scheduled to meet for the final time this season on May 6, but Madison took an easy 12-3 win in the first game between the two and really hasn’t been challenged in any league game except for its two meetings with Polk County.

Owen boasts a 5-3 conference record, but suffered a 10-1 loss to Polk County in its first meeting and still has to face Madison, Mountain Heritage and Polk County for a second time. The Wolverines, meanwhile, have finished playing Madison and host Mountain Heritage, having dropped a 10-9 decision to the Cougars on April 11 in the final game before spring break.

The Wolverines would love to track down Mountain Heritage for second place in the league race as the conference’s second seed will open the 2A playoffs with a home game. The third seed from the WHC, meanwhile, will open the postseason on the road.

Polk County travels to Avery on Tuesday, then has a non-conference game with North Henderson before going to Mitchell on Friday. The Wolverines then host Mountain Heritage on April 28 in what could be a key game for both teams’ playoff chances. Polk also has one more game with Owen in Swannanoa as well as a home date with Hendersonville. The Bearcats, winless in league play and 2-14 overall, aren’t expected to factor into the 2A playoff picture.