April 2024

Leave it to junior catcher Koeplin Look to find some silver lining in a dark cloud.

Saddled with a two-game losing streak, Middleton’s baseball team didn’t waste any time putting its recent setbacks behind it on a brisk Saturday afternoon that was more suited for a late-season football game.

Middleton jumped to an early lead and never looked back in cruising to a 13-3 victory in five innings over visiting Janesville Parker in a Big Eight Conference baseball game that was ended by the mercy rule.

The Cardinals (7-3 overall, 5-2 Big Eight) had opened the week with a walk-off win over conference rival Madison Memorial on April 15.

But Middleton followed that with a 7-3 Big Eight Conference loss to Verona on April 16 and an 8-6 non-conference setback versus Division 1 power Mosinee last Friday.

Look said the Cardinals quickly put those losses in their rearview mirror.

Middleton’s girls softball team has been searching for a branch of consistency to hold onto at the start of this spring.

Perhaps the Cardinals found one last week.

Middleton blanked visiting Madison Memorial, 6-0, on April 15. The Cardinals followed that with an 11-3 win over host Sun Prairie West on April 17.

Middleton is now 5-5 overall and 3-2 in the Big Eight Conference.

Here’s a recap of the Cardinals’ week:

• Middleton 6, Madison Memorial 0 — Megan Button threw a complete game shutout and powered the Cardinals past the Spartans.

Button struck out 13 in seven innings and allowed just three hits. Button didn't walk a batter and threw strikes on 68 of her 89 pitches (76.4%).

“The gameplan was originally to split the game between a couple of different pitchers, but Megan had an incredible day on the mound,” Middleton coach Brittany Carl said. “She was efficient and well in command.

Middleton’s girls lacrosse team won two of three games last week.

The Cardinals fell to Muskego, 11-9, on April 15. Middleton responded, though, with a 19-8 win over Waunakee on April 18 and an 18-2 victory over Sun Prairie United last Friday.

Here’s a recap of the Cardinals’ week:

• Muskego 11, Middleton 9 — The Cardinals outscored the Warriors, 7-2 in the second half. The problem is Muskego held a 9-2 edge at halftime.

“After putting Abby Tubbs on the circle, we were able to gain more draw controls and the defense was able to continue to pressure turnovers,” Middleton coach Alexa Byers said.

• Middleton 19, Waunakee 8 — Laina Gustafson had six goals, while Abby Tubbs added five goals to power the Cardinals.

Goalie Izzy Ensenberger was extremely active in and out of goal and earned the win.

The Middleton Common Council bid goodbye to two departing alders — Kendra Wochos and Jenifer Cole in districts 2 and 4 — and welcomed newly elected alders Kim Madden (District 2) and Todd Kalish (District 4) along with returning alders Lisa Janairo (District 6) and Randall Crow (District 8) during its April 16 meeting.