May 2013

In some ways the scene at 3148 Deming Way Friday morning looked like any other construction site. A table saw hummed in the background. Workers sporting hardhats hoisted lumber onto their shoulders. Coffee steamed on a table nearby, alongside half-eaten boxes of donuts. 

But these weren’t seasoned construction laborers. Beneath the hardhats were roughly 30 employees at Fish & Associates. Alongside them was Theresa Persinger, a single mother who will soon have a home for her three young children.

This was a Habitat for Humanity worksite.

Habitat for Humanity of Dane County provides solid, affordable housing for those who might not otherwise become homeowners. Eligible families pay monthly mortgage installments on zero-interest loans, each contributing from 325 to 375 hours of sweat equity during construction.

During this on-again, off-again spring, consistency has been a virtual impossibility for baseball teams everywhere.

But Middleton manager Tom Schmitt believes his team is awfully close to the level of steadiness he desires.

The Cardinals strung together three consecutive wins in a 48-hour stretch between Saturday and Monday.

Middleton swept a doubleheader from Watertown on Saturday, then thumped Janesville Parker, 13-3, on Monday.

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

“If we can continue to play and get better like we have these last three games, the potential is there,” Schmitt said. “We just have to keep improving.”

Here’s a recap of the Cardinals’ week.

• Middleton 13, Janesville Parker 3 — The Cardinals pounded out 16 hits and rolled past the visiting Vikings Monday afternoon.

Things have gotten harried for Middleton’s girls softball team.

That’s what nightmarish spring weather will do.

But the Cardinals held up well last week, winning three of the five games they played. Middleton improved to 4-4 overall.

Here’s a recap of the Cardinals’ week.

• Middleton 5, Beloit Memorial 4 — Emily Pomykalski had two hits, including a triple, and drove in three runs to power the visiting Cardinals last Friday.

Ashley Stormer went the distance for Middleton, striking out five and allowing just two earned runs.

Middleton raced to a 5-0 lead through two innings, then held on for dear life as the Purple Knights charged back.

“Good win,” Middleton manager Arin Oppermann said. “It was great that we got the lead right away, but now we need to work on getting on base and scoring every inning. We can’t get too comfortable with the amount of runs we have.”