August 2021

SAUK CITY – Liam Belleveau wasn’t surprised to see a sea of Ashton fans that made the trip to watch their beloved A’s battle for a berth in the Home Talent League Final Four round-robin tournament that begins on Sunday.

“The best fans in the league,” Belleveau said of the support the A’s receive at home and on the road. “They are unbelievably awesome. I don’t think we can ever thank them enough. They’re a difference maker. It makes games like this even more fun.”

Belleveau gave the Ashton fans a thrill when he blasted a dramatic game-tying two-run home run over the right field fence in the top of the ninth inning.

“He’s done if for us this year,” A’s manager Dave Adler said. “He was struggling early today and struck out twice. But he came around when he had to.”

MENOMONEE FALLS — In one corner was Brookfield Central — the 2020 WIAA Division 1 girls golf state champion — and many of the other powers that played last fall.

In the other corner was Middleton, which won the alternate-fall state champion.

The best teams from 2020 — and the expected top dogs of 2021 — collided Aug. 16-17 at the Brookfield Central-Homestead Classic. And Middleton made quite a statement.

The Cardinals shot a 619 to win the two-day, 27-team tournament. Sussex Hamilton was second at 627, while Kettle Moraine (632), Westosha Central (644) and Arrowhead (645) rounded out the top-five.

“We are happy with the way we have started this year,” Middleton coach Becky Halverson said. “It is clear the ladies put in work over the summer.”

Middleton softball standouts Olivia Hebert and CC Hiorns both received all-state honors.

Hebert, a senior catcher, was named first-team all-state by the Wisconsin Fastpitch Softball Coaches Association. Hiorns, a senior center fielder, was named honorable-mention all-state.

Hebert, who was also named the Big Eight Conference’s Player of the Year, had one of the finest years in school history.

Hebert batted .592 with a .673 on-base percentage and a 1.316 slugging percentage. She had 13 home runs, 52 RBI, 12 doubles, scored 39 runs, walked 14 times and had just two strikeouts.

Hebert, who was also intentionally walked 10 times, was Middleton’s first Big Eight Conference Player of the Year since 2007.

On one hand, Jack Alexander was giddy to put on his football pads and hit someone this past spring after the season was in jeopardy due to COVID-19.

On the other, Middleton’s standout offensive lineman left with a bitter taste in his mouth.

“I don’t think any of us were super happy going 3-3,” Alexander said of Middleton’s record this spring. “I think a lot of us feel like we definitely need to step up.”

And that’s exactly what Middleton believes it’s now capable of.

The Cardinals open their 2021 season with a trip to Bay Port Thursday at 7 p.m. Middleton will feature a potentially dynamic offense, a defense loaded with possible playmakers and a hunger to get back to the top of the Big Eight Conference for the first time since 2015.