Finding a common goal among the four Whatcom County softball teams heading to the postseason from Class 2A is hardly a challenge.

Not only will each be looking to reach the state tournament after being shut out last season, but each also faces a play-in game just to reach the Northwest District Tournament.

For at least today, it’s a onegame season for Sehome, Blaine, Lynden and Mount Baker.

“It’s the play-in game that kind of scares me,” said Sehome coach Jim Emerson whose Mariners host Sultan. “It’s hard to say what we’re going get.”

Being left out of the doubleelimination district tournament when it begins on Wednesday in Sedro-Woolley is a real possibility for several Whatcom County schools.

Sixth seeded Blaine (7-13) could be in for a fight against a streaking Granite Falls (13-7) club. Lynden (6-14) meets a tested Lakewood (11-8) team, and Mount Baker (12-8) hosts South Whidbey (6-13).

The Mariners (12-8) might have the easiest play-in draw based on record with Sultan (1- 18), but that can mean little once the postseason starts.

The top four teams from the tourney advance to the state tournament.

“I feel like if we keep hitting the ball the way we have we’ll be just fine,” Emerson said.

Tournament favorites include Northwest Conference top seed Burlington-Edison and Cascade Conference No. 1 Cedarcrest. The Tigers (16-4) have one of the best young pitchers in the league in Lindsey Dawson, while the Red Wolves (19-1) boast one of the best senior pitchers in the state in Hillary Barker.

The No. 2 seeds into the tournament belong to Anacortes (13-7) and Archbishop Murphy (14-6).

Seeding aside, there’s no reason to think a Whatcom County school can’t make it through to state this season.

Each of the four will be looking to make a surprise run through district as Blaine did last season when the Borderites advanced to a winner-to-state contest and all have at least one standout pitcher to rely on.

“You have to look at Cedarcrest and Burlington-Edison because of their pitchers,” Emerson said. “Archbishop Murphy is very competitive and Anacortes is very well coached. But I think we’ve got a shot.”