WNC Week 11 high school softball power rankings: Owen, Pisgah climb in final regular season top 10

It's the opening week for the NCHSAA playoffs, and teams will find out their first-round opponent when brackets are released on Monday.

This week's power rankings have movement among eight of the 10 teams, including one new entrant. A three-way tie for first in one conference shook up the rankings.

Here are the final regular season Western North Carolina high school softball power rankings.

1. Robbinsville (20-2)

Robbinsville smoked then-No. 8 Murphy in two games last week to secure the Smoky Mountain Conference and win its 14th consecutive game. The Black Knights have scored 10 runs in 11 of their last 12 games, including eight mercy-rule wins.

Last week: No. 1.

2. West Henderson (18-2)

The Falcons lost just one of their last 17 games and beat No. 4 Franklin last week to secure their Mountain 7 Conference title. Both losses came on the road, and with West Henderson likely earning a high seed, it will play at home for the first few rounds of the NCHSAA 3A playoffs.

Last week: No. 2.

3. Owen (18-2)

Owen run-ruled Madison on back-to-back days to secure the Western Highlands Conference championship. Freshman Mia Roland is a major part of Owen's 14-game winning streak. She has seven home runs, 15 doubles and 40 RBIs.

Last week: No. 5.

4. Franklin (15-3)

A loss to West Henderson cost Franklin a shot at the Mountain 7 Conference, but the Panthers have plenty of firepower for a deep playoff run. Sophomore Kendall Rumans has 12 home runs, while senior Avery Moffitt has slugged 10.

Last week: No. 3.

5. Pisgah (14-5)

In the Bears' last seven games, they defeated No. 6 Enka, No. 8 Brevard and No. 2 West Henderson, while losing only to No. 4 Franklin. Pisgah is hitting its stride right before the playoffs behind pitching duo Sadie Messer and Alyssa Smith.

Last week: No. 6.

6. Enka (15-5)

The Sugar Jets fell to North Buncombe on Monday to cap off their three-game skid and finish in a three-way tie for the Mountain Athletic Conference championship. Enka beat Smoky Mountain and Asheville High to close the season.

Last week: No. 4.

7. North Buncombe (12-6)

Freshman Sadie Jo Hunter took over for the Black Hawks, striking out 38 and giving up one run in the circle while hitting four home runs and driving in nine in three games last week. As a result, North Buncombe snagged a share of the Mountain Athletic Conference championship.

Last week: No. 10.

8. McDowell (14-6)

The Titans lost to Reynolds with a chance to win the conference outright, but still earned their first Mountain Athletic Conference title, sharing with Enka and North Buncombe.

Last week: No. 7.

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9. Brevard (15-5)

The Blue Devils finished the season hot, winning six in a row. Their final two wins, both over Patton, came by one run each.

Last week: No. 9.

10. Swain County (10-6)

The Maroon Devils closed their season with four straight wins after falling to No. 3 Owen and Murphy. Sophomore pitcher Rylee Rawls finished the year with a 1.77 ERA.

Last week: Unranked.

Evan Gerike is the high school sports reporter for the Asheville Citizen Times. Email him at egerike@citizentimes.com or follow him on Twitter @EvanGerike. Please support this type of journalism with a subscription to the Citizen Times.

This article originally appeared on Asheville Citizen Times: Owen, Pisgah rise in WNC Week 11 high school softball power rankings