The Prescott Cardinal softball, baseball, boys golf, and track teams are all competing this week. So begins the fast and furious spring sports schedules for Cardinal high school athletes. The #5 ranked softball team opens its Middle Border Conference season against the defending conference champion Somerset Spartans. The Ellsworth Panthers softball team is ranked #10 in Division II. The Prescott baseball team, ranked #21 in Division 3, will also take on the #10 ranked team in Division 2 – the Somerset Spartans who are picked by many as the conference favorites this season. Somerset opened their season last Tuesday with an 8-3 win over Spring Valley. UW-Milwaukee bound pitcher Mason Schmidt and pitcher Max Zombrowski combined to no-hit Spring Valley. Schmidt faced 12 batters and struck out nine. The senior righthander boasts a fastball in the low 90’s. 

Incidentally, the Cardinal baseball and softball teams both will compete in Division III come tournament time this season. When it comes to the softball sectional tournament team to watch, Stanley-Boyd is ranked #10 in Division III. In the Cardinal baseball sectional, the Barron Bears are ranked #11, Fall Creek is ranked #20, and Mondovi and Elk Mound are listed as Honorable Mention. 

Bravo to the Prescott CAB Company volunteers who gave the Firehall Field baseball shed an impressive facelift. Whether it’s upstairs or downstairs, concession stands and media workers will undoubtedly welcome the changes.  

Over 50 Prescott basketball alumni participated last weekend in the annual Prescott Cardinal Basketball Alumni Tournament. Six teams participated in the day-long event that featured the likes of Billy Brookshaw (2012), Charlie Tayson (2015), Dallas Wallin (2024), Owen Hamilton (2017), Jordan Malmlov (2023), and Mike Harris (2016).  

Weather permitting, the Prescott Fastpitch Association will host a picnic lunch for all Cardinal high school and youth softball players and their families after Saturday’s non-conference game against Northwestern. Well done Prescott Fastpitch Association. 

Defending NCAA Division III National Champion Whitewater enters the month of April ranked #10 in the country. The 14-3 Warhawks are the only team in Minnesota or Wisconsin ranked among the top 30. Whitewater is atop the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference with a record of 6-0. 

Wisconsin-Oshkosh is ranked #16 in the most recent National Softball Coaches Association Division III rankings. The Titans are followed by #17 Whitewater and #23 Eau Claire as teams enter the month of April. St. Mary’s (Winona) University holds the #4 spot and is the top ranked Minnesota or Wisconsin team this spring. 

From the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. The DNR reminds families, mentors and young hunters that there’s still time to plan and participate in the 2026 statewide youth turkey hunt April 11-12. Each year, the youth turkey hunt gives hunters under 16 the opportunity to feel the excitement of turkey season and gain valuable hunting experience before the regular turkey season begins. During this two-day youth hunt, the bag limit is one male or bearded turkey. To participate in the mentored hunt program, youth hunters must be accompanied by a qualified adult 18 years of age or older. An adult cannot accompany more than two youth hunters at one time during the turkey youth hunt. Only one youth hunter per qualified adult can follow the mentored hunting program at any given time. More information on mentoring a hunter is available on the DNR’s Mentored Hunting webpage.

Headshaker of the Week: Bringing recognition to accomplished teams from the past continues to resonate with fans and communities alike. Whether it’s professional, collegiate, or high school sports, highlighting those achievements gives today’s athletes a sense of pride and perspective. And in an age where information is at your fingertips, organizing a reunion for teams like the 1991 Minnesota Twins, the 1982 North Carolina State NCAA Men’s Basketball team, or the 1986 Webster High School football team is far from out of reach. It takes some effort, sure, but not as much as it used to. And the return on that effort is lasting. So coaches, do the work and put in the time. When a window of opportunity presents itself for some kind of recognition of alumni and it goes without action or appreciation, that’s a headshaker.