The WIAA playoffs are coming down to the wire in the Badger State, as Regional play has come to a conclusion after an eventful week. Many of the top seeds survived their first couple of rounds of action—emerging as Sectional contenders come Tuesday, June 4.

With the talent that has evolved and will be showcased on Tuesday, the Prep Baseball Wisconsin staff will be rolling out preview pieces beforehand.

All eyes will be on tomorrow’s Middleton Sectional. No. 3 Sun Prairie East, Madison Memorial, No. 14 Monona Grove, and No. 19 Verona will battle it out for the chance to advance to the State Tournament. With three of these teams in our most recent Power 25 rankings, this exceptionally competitive Sectional is the one to watch.

Sun Prairie East matches up against Madison Memorial at 10:00 a.m., while Monona Grove and Verona face off at 1:00 p.m.. The winning teams will play in the final at 4:00 p.m. for the Sectional Championship and a bid to state. The potentially long day ahead is exactly what each team has their sights set on.

With only one of these talented teams making it out, we’re in for an enthralling set of games. Learn more about the teams and the key players that make up this star-studded section, below.

SUN PRAIRIE EAST (23-4)

The Cardinals are ranked No. 3 in our most recent Power 25 rankings for a reason. Previously at No. 1, Sun Prairie East is led by a deep offense, exceptional arms, and experience that has led them to this point. With nine returners from the last year’s team that just missed out on a Sectional appearance, the Cardinals have now made it to this point and begun their redemption tour with a 6-0 shutout victory over cross-town rivals Sun Prairie West. Coming off days of rest, the Cardinals have the talent to earn two wins on Tuesday and find themselves in the State Tournament.

Cardinals’ ace RHP/1B Drew Kavanaugh (2024; Wisconsin Eau-Claire (football)) will be crucial for a win early on. The three-sport athlete and football recruit has shown commanding stuff this season. Following a complete game shutout with five strikeouts and zero walks against Sun Prairie West, our week of May 7 Prep Baseball Wisconsin Pitcher of the Week will be looked upon to dominate once again if the Cardinals are to be successful on Tuesday.

At the plate, Sun Prairie East has the production worthy of their No. 1 sectional seed. They are led by the consistent bats of junior shortstop INF Max Glusick (2025), athletic lead-off hitter and football recruit OF Sam Ostrenga (2024; North Dakota (football)), hard-hitting OF/1B John Hadley (2024; Wisconsin-Milwaukee), and the young C Manuel Abreu Socorro (2026). With these hot bats in the upper end of the lineup, the Cardinals have a more than hopeful offense to lean on.

Right-handed Abreu Socorro is fresh off a two-RBI performance against Sun Prairie West. The No. 5 ranked catcher in the state’s 2026 class is a big player for the Cardinals and will be looked upon for similar production tomorrow.

RBIs such as these will be needed out of No. 11 in state ranked infielder Glusick and No. 11 in state ranked outfielder Hadley, who look to continue their standout spring campaigns.

MADISON MEMORIAL (19-7)

Madison Memorial is coming off an impressive season and loads of momentum after two straight comfortable playoff wins. At 19-7, the Spartans are finding the right time to hit their stride. However, they will need the best out of their star players tomorrow in the form of clutch offense and dominance on the mound. With the talent the Spartans have, they will have no doubt in their guys to get it done.

On the bump, the Spartans will look to their ace RHP Cashton Jones (2024; Edgewood College) to lead the way, most likely in game one. The right-hander has been getting it done this season for Madison Memorial, proving to be the arm to rely on. Another arm that will be pivotal to the Spartans’ success is RHP/INF Brayden Banyai (2026). With a powerful fastball, the right-hander is one of 2026’s best in the state. The two key arms will most likely bring their best, meaning we can expect a captivating pitchers’ duels for tomorrow.

Two other players will be impossible to miss. As Madison Memorial tries to crack into the state tournament, the Spartans are fortunate to have the pair of 2026 twins SS/RHP Caleb Liggon and OF Ezra Liggon. The 6-foot-4 sophomores are two of the most talented young players in the state and will be players to watch on both sides of the diamond tomorrow. Caleb is the No. 6 ranked 2026 SS in the state; the righty-righty is fast, hits for power, and has provided clean looks defensively. He can be expected to make defensive plays and come through with timely hitting. The lengthy lefty-lefty Ezra is controlled at the plate and hits for power. The No. 2 ranked 2026 OF in the state will be looked upon for his consistent production tomorrow.

Our staff saw the group earlier this spring—showcasing some of the talent up and down the lineup, including a couple of base hits turned in by Ezra Liggon.

MONONA GROVE (21-7)

Following a third straight shutout win en route to a Regional Championship, Monona Grove is carrying loads of confidence. The now 21-7 Silver Eagles are riding on the backs of overwhelming young talent and experienced upperclassmen to propel them past the Sectional round, where they were eliminated last season. Ranked No. 14 in our most recent Power 25, the Silver Eagles may have the most talented team in this sectional.

RHP/INF Cal Moreau (2026) is the first name to mention. As the lead-off hitter and ace of the Silver Eagles, the two-way threat is the No. 3 ranked 2026 in the state and the No. 2 ranked SS. Having pitched a cool four innings with six strikeouts, Moreau earned the win in the Regional Final victory over Madison West. Tomorrow, the sophomore star will bring it both offensively and on the mound to help the Silver Eagles attempt two wins on the day.

C Terek Verhage (2025; St. Thomas - MN) is another star player for the Silver Eagles. The left-handed hitting catcher is massively important both behind the plate and offensively for Monona Grove. A participant in last year’s Prep Baseball Future Games, the No. 2 in state ranked catcher in the class of 2025 will be looked upon to come up huge for the Silver Eagles tomorrow.

INF/RHP Kaden Connor (2025; Xavier) and freshman RHP Eli Bauler (2027) add even more star power to the Silver Eagles. Connor is a power-hitting third baseman, also bringing it from the mound. The Xavier recruit and two-way lefty/righty weapon is the 2025 No. 2 ranked 3B in Wisconsin. Bauler is another significant two-way threat. The slugger and power arm is the No. 6 ranked 2027 in the state. Offensive production and deep pitching will be provided from these two, and teams will be extra wary of the danger that these high-ranked players pose.

RHP Auden Jatczak (2024; Wisconsin Lutheran College) also leads the way as a right-handed pitcher, and OF Nicholas Guidici (2024; Parkland JC) hits for extreme power.

With high hopes to get through the sectional this time around, the Silver Eagles are certainly confident in their power hitting and deep pitching to prove victorious in a doubleheader tomorrow.

VERONA (19-5)

The Wildcats are reasonably No. 19 in our most recent Power 25 rankings. Yet, after a close 5-4 Regional championship win over Waunakee, they were almost shockingly upset. Following a near-elimination, the Wildcats will be sure to come out with assertiveness this time. With this confidence and assertiveness, Verona is not an easy team to beat. This is shown in their comfortable 12-7 win over Sun Prairie East in their final game of the season and their 19-5 record. Possessing power hitters and dominant pitching, the Wildcats will be confident to come out of a potential double-header with two wins.

What separates Verona from their opposition is their overpowering ace RHP Jack DeTienne (2024; Xavier). The former Prep Baseball All-American game participant is the No. 1 ranked pitcher in the state and the No. 3 ranked player. DeTienne struck out 13 batters against Waunakee in 6.1 innings, demonstrating his prowess on the bump. With powerful command, the Wildcats have an exceptional arm to rely on. Sure to take the mound tomorrow, the Wildcats will be hopeful to capitalize on their ace’s arm and come out victorious.

Offensively, 1B Owen Davis (2024; Edgewood) and C Nate Novinska (2024; Madison JC) are massive players for the Wildcats. Davis, who came through with a clutch two-RBI performance against Waunakee, is a power-hitting righty first baseman who will look to be aggressive at the plate to propel this Wildcats offense tomorrow.

INF/RHP Tre Grignon (2024) is a pivotal two-way for the Wildcats. As a left-handed slugger and a right-handed power pitcher, the senior will certainly make a mound appearance to help push his team through to states. Being an important bat and an important arm for Verona, Grignon can be a difference-maker for the Wildcats.

All four teams make up this Middleton Sectional in a talent-packed grouping. With no way of telling who will make it out, all we can do is look forward to the thrilling doubleheader set for tomorrow between these top teams in the state.

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