Fort bests Jefferson in rivalry game; Verona is tops in HTL

In the Southeast Section of the Home Talent League, Fort Atkinson is one win away from clinching the East Division title.

The Generals defeated their rival Jefferson Blue Devils, 3-1, thanks in part to Josh Crandall’s two-RBI double and Dan Dean’s 8.2 innings two-hit performance. Read a recap of the game here.

Elsewhere in the East Division, Lake Mills topped Cambridge, 9-4. Had the Grays lost, Fort would have clinched. Lake Mills and Fort Atkinson will play in a Night League matchup Thursday at Jones Park, which could be a preview of how the Sunday HTL contest will play out. Sunday’s game between the Generals and Grays will also be played at Jones Park. A win will guarantee Fort the best record in the Southeast Section East Division.

Fort is the only team in the Section with one loss after Utica was defeated by Evansville, 5-4, Sunday.

Utica is now 9-2 in Sunday League action, but is still in the driver’s seat to win the West Division. Utica is a full two games ahead of Stoughton (7-4) and 2.5 games ahead of McFarland and Albion.

A showdown between Fort Atkinson and Utica was rained out and was planned to be made-up July 17. The game has been moved back a week to July 24 at Utica Park.

In the Eastern Section, Cottage Grove moved into a tie for first place with DeForest. Cottage Grove spanked Waterloo, 13-1, and got some help from Rio. Rio handled DeForest, 3-2.

The best record in the Home Talent League still belongs to Verona in the western Section. The Cavaliers improved to 12-1 this weekend when they received a forfeit from New Glarus. The forfeit likely yielded the same result as if NG (1-11) had taken the field.

Wiota is doing its best to keep pace with Verona, defeating Ridgeway, 8-7, in 13 innings Saturday. Wiota is now 9-2 and a game better in the loss column ahead of Monroe (10-3).

Middleton picked up two wins this weekend to stay in first place in the Northern Section.

Middleton topped Plain, 13-3, and bounced Black Earth, 12-0.

Ashton remains in second place following a loss to Black Earth Saturday and a 9-3 victory over Pine Bluff Sunday.

Below are the current HTL standings.

Standings

Southeast

East Division

Fort Atkinson 10-1

Lake Mills 6-5

Jefferson 4-7

Whitewater 4-8

Cambridge 3-9

Deerfield 2-9

West Division

Utica 9-2

Stoughton 7-4

McFarland 7-5

Albion 7-5

Evansville 5-6

Orfordville 4-7

Eastern

Cottage Grove 10-3

DeForest 10-3

Sun Prairie 9-3

Monona 8-4

Lodi 9-5

Rio 8-7

Marshall 5-8

Poynette 4-10

Waterloo 4-12

Columbus 0-13

Western

Verona 12-1

Wiota 9-2

Monroe 10-3

Argyle 6-4

Platteville 6-5

Ridgeway 6-7

Dodgeville 5-7

Hollandale 4-9

New Glarus 1-11

Blanchardville 0-10

Northern

East Division

Middleton 11-2

Ashton 9-4

Black Earth 7-4

Cross Plaines 7-5

Waunakee 6-7

Pine Bluff 2-10

West Division

Reedsburg 9-2

Sauk Prairie 10-3

Plain 4-8

Cazenovia 3-9

Mazomanie 3-9

Richland Center 2-10