This year, instead of a playoff format, Western AA softball will play a divisional tournament, which starts today in Missoula.

Flathead Bravettes coach Jack Foster likes the change, as it allows some parity in the bracket for the lower-seeded teams. Four teams will still make it to the state tournament on May 23-25 in Butte, but Foster said it levels the playing field a bit.

“Someone gets hot at the right time, you never know what could happen,” Foster said. “It makes it so the lower teams have a chance to win some games.”

Regardless of the format, the divisional helps athletes get ready for the high-stakes state tournament and get a feel for being on the road, Glacier coach Abby Connolly said.

“One difference, in a playoff series you know for a week who you’re going to be playing,” Connolly said. “And you can prepare for them. We’re playing the winner of another game so you have to be really prepared.”

The Glacier Wolfpack has a bye in the first round by virtue of being the No. 1 seed and will play the winner of Helena High and Hellgate at 3 p.m.

Though Glacier has dominated its divisional opponents this season, Connolly isn’t underestimating anyone.

“I think any of the top four teams are going to be really tough games,” she said. “Sentinel and Capital have given us some of the closest games this season and we’re certainly not overlooking the Hellgate and Helena game.”

The Wolfpack posted a 16-3 overall record, a 10-2 conference record and hit its stride with an 11-game win streak to end the season. Its last loss was April 18, when Missoula Sentinel won 8-6.

“Offensively we have a very balanced performance,” Connolly said. “Not everyone is going to have their best game, but someone is going to step up and have a good game. They know when it’s going to be a tough game and they really have brought their A games for that performance.

Contrastingly, Flathead’s season hasn’t been quite as smooth.

Between its JV and varsity squads, the Bravettes (2-15, 2-10) have had seven players out with injuries for the majority of the season.

Pitcher Carissa Comer will be back in time for divisionals, but catcher Lexi Longtin’s season is done due to shoulder surgery this week.

While Comer was sidelined, Illysa Centner took on most of the workload on the mound. In the last two weeks of the season, Centner pitched six complete games in seven days.

To add to the attrition, the Bravettes will be missing two seniors for the start of the tournament, middle infielder Riley Chouinard and shortstop Kayla Callis, due to IB testing scheduled for today.

“The kids have stepped up, especially the young kids, JV players,” Foster said. “They are willing to do anything, and have done a really good job.”

It’s been a grind, but Foster remains positive.

“Feeling good,” Foster said. “Had a really good week of practice.”

Flathead will play Helena Capital in the first round at 11 a.m.

“We’ve got a shot,” Foster said. “Go out and play hard and see what happens. Basically all we can do at this point. Just give it our best shot.”

And Connolly’s squad is ready, too.

“I can’t say enough about the three practices we’ve had this week. Toward the end of the season it’s easy to slack off but they haven’t. They have a commitment to being the best that they can be.”

Western AA Divisional

Today/Saturday

Today’s Schedule

First Round

Glacier has a bye

11 a.m.

Game 1 — Helena High vs. Missoula Hellgate

Game 2 — Helena Capital vs. Flathead

Game 3 — Missoula Sentinel vs. Missoula Big Sky

Second Round

3 p.m. — Glacier vs. Game 1 winner

3 p.m. — Game 2 winner vs. Game 3 winner

3 p.m. — Loser Game 2 vs. Loser Game 3