Sports

There’s a sign inside the dugout of Middleton’s girls softball team that says, “Win every inning.” Another reads, “Flip the switch,” and is attached to an actual light switch.

Friday evening, the Cardinals obeyed, and followed both slogans to the letter of the law.

In a WIAA Division 1 regional final, top-seeded Middleton jumped on ninth-seeded Madison Memorial and never let up. The Cardinals erupted for four first inning runs, kept the pressure on throughout, and routed the visiting Spartans, 11-1, in a game stopped after six innings due to the 10-run mercy rule.

“I’m really proud how we came out of the gates and fielded the ball, hit the ball and pitched,” Middleton manager Cherie Hellenbrand said. “I’m really proud just how focused we were from the start.”

When they exited University Ridge Golf Course nearly 12 months ago now, Middleton’s boys golf team was extremely disappointed.

To most, a fourth place finish at the WIAA Division 1 state tournament would have been cause for celebration. To the Cardinals — who entered the tournament ranked No. 1 in the state — it wasn’t enough.

“We definitely wanted more,” Middleton junior Joey Levin said.

Right now, the Cardinals are on their way to obtaining more.

Middleton began the postseason Wednesday hosting a regional at Pleasant View, and the Cardinals made an impressive statement.

Middleton fired a season-low 295 and rolled to a 29-shot victory over runner-up Waunakee (324). The Cardinals advanced to the Reedsburg Sectional, which will take place June 2 at the Reedsburg Country Club.

As the rains poured down and the winds gusted throughout the morning Tuesday, Middleton girls track and field coach Tara Franklin had one overriding thought.

“I wasn't sure if we would even finish the meet before midnight,” Franklin said of the WIAA Division 1 Middleton regional.

But much to the Cardinals’ delight the weather cleared. Then Middleton proceeded to put on a show.

Middleton’s boys cruised to the regional title with 155 points, easily outdistancing runner-up Monona Grove (98.0). Sun Prairie (90.5), Madison West (90) and Madison Memorial (72) rounded out the top five.

“I think we're happy to be moving so many guys through to the next level,” Middleton coach Isaac Mezera said. “Now the focus is getting as many to the red track (state) as possible.”

Sun Prairie won the girls’ title with 160 points, while Middleton was second at 142. Madison Memorial (90.5), Waunakee (81) and Monona Grove (78.5) rounded out the top five.

They’ve devoured the appetizers.

Now, it’s on to the main course.

And it will be a surprise to no one if Middleton’s boys golf team continues to feast on the competition.

The Cardinals polished off their romp through the Big Eight Conference last Thursday, rolling to a second straight league tournament title.

Middleton shot a terrific 307 at Evansville Golf Course, easily outdistancing runner-up Madison Memorial (331). Sun Prairie finished third at 336, while Janesville Parker (343) and Verona (345) rounded out the top five.

“(Thursday) was the first big check mark off our list of goals,” said Brady Thomas, one of four standout juniors in Middleton’s lineup. “I think our goal coming into the year was to win the conference regular season and win the tournament. I think because we did that, it gives us confidence to succeed in the postseason.”

Cardinals junior Emmet Herb agreed with Thomas.

Tryouts were over.

The team had been chosen and practice was underway.

That’s when Middleton’s girls softball team began to fully understand the talent that existed up and down its roster. And the Cardinals immediately set the bar sky high.

“All of us players sat down a couple weeks into the season and made it a goal to win a conference championship,” Middleton senior shortstop Katie Fermanich said.

That goal became a reality last week.

Middleton clinched a share of the Big Eight Conference title last Tuesday thanks to a 4-2 win over Madison West. The Cardinals could have clinched the league’s outright title last Thursday, but they suffered a 7-4 loss to Beloit Memorial.

Middleton finished the year 14-4 in the conference and tied for first place with Verona. The Cardinals, who won their first league title since 2009, ended the regular season 17-6 overall.

Middleton’s girls softball team earned the No. 1 seed in their sectional.

If the Cardinals can now play to that level, they’ll remember the next two weeks for the rest of their lives.

Middleton, co-champions of the Big Eight Conference, received a first round bye. The Cardinals will host the winner of No. 8 Monona Grove and No. 9 Madison Memorial Friday at 5 p.m. in a WIAA Division 1 regional final.

“The team is focused and determined to be playing their best softball as we move into the postseason,” Middleton manager Cherie Hellenbrand said. “They are all feeling confident and understand they need to push themselves to play solid softball from start to finish. We are taking it one game at a time and enjoying every moment hoping to continue our season into June.”

The roster was greatly overhauled.

There were 12 new players, positional changes, and tactical adjustments.

Despite all of that change, one thing remained the same for Middleton’s girls’ soccer team this spring: success.

The Cardinals notched a pair of wins last week and clinched a share of their second straight Big Eight Conference title.

Middleton and Madison Memorial both went 8-1 in the league and finished ½-game ahead of third place Madison West.

“Last year we had experience, this year we have fire,” said Middleton junior standout Grace Douglas, a University of Wisconsin recruit. “Winning the Big Eight title again this year really brought out the importance of the game itself.

“On any given night any team can win. And this year we’re especially glad to show everyone that there are a variety of different teams that can achieve this kind of greatness.”

They lost 50% of their lineup from a year ago.

Their best player was sitting out the Big Eight Conference tournament.

But there seems to be no slowing the machine that is Middleton’s boys tennis program.

The Cardinals rolled to the Big Eight title on Wednesday, winning the two-day event with 50 points. Madison West was a distant second with 32 points, while Madison Memorial (26), Verona (26) and Sun Prairie (22) rounded out the top five.

Middleton captured first place in five of seven flights on its was to a fourth straight conference title.

“It was truly amazing,” said Dan Jin, who combined with Cody Markel to win a title at No. 3 doubles. “First of all, to be able to win the championship at five of seven flights is an incredible feat. Doing so without our best player (Jake Van Emburgh) is even better.

Verona — The slip of the tongue didn’t go unnoticed by Jack Jesse.

As Middleton’s standout long jumper was discussing the Cardinals’ third straight Big Eight Conference boys’ track and field championship last Friday, the questioner inadvertently used the term “repeat.”

“Three-peat,” Jesse said. “Make sure it says three-peat, because this is just awesome.”

Yes, it was another night of awesomeness for Middleton’s still ascending program.

The Cardinals added the latest chapter to their 2015 success story on a gorgeous night at Verona High School. Middleton finished with 173 points to easily outdistance runner-up Verona (124). Madison La Follette (74), Madison West (70) and Janesville Parker (66) rounded out the top five.

Their title dreams and championship aspirations were hanging by a thread. In many ways, their season was at a crossroads, as well.

Middleton’s girls softball team dropped the opening game of a doubleheader against Janesville Craig, 6-1, on Monday. That left the Cardinals tied for the Big Eight Conference lead with Verona, one game ahead of Craig in the loss column.

But Middleton did what all championship teams do — they rebounded.

The Cardinals rolled past the Cougars, 11-1, in the nightcap and remained tied for first in the league. Middleton and Verona are now tied for the conference lead with two games left in the regular season.

“Game two of the doubleheader proved our resilience,” Middleton senior shortstop Katie Fermanich said. “There's no doubt that Craig wanted that game just as badly, if not more than we did.