MIDDLETON — With the preseason No. 1 ranking comes expectations and challenges.

Of the 23 teams that were deemed the best in their divisions by the Wisconsin Baseball Coaches Association from 2001 to '07, only three went on to win state titles.

Middleton is hoping to increase the percentages.

"It's a nice honor. It gets you a little motivated to stay up there and our guys have done well with it," Cardinals coach Tom Schmitt said. "They haven't let it get to their heads. We all have the same hat size from last year.

"They've been working hard. ... They're refocused now for the stretch drive to win this conference championship and then go on and try to make it another state championship run."

Middleton (15-4, 12-3 Big Eight Conference) looks to reach one goal Thursday. A win against hard-charging Madison Memorial (15-4, 11-4) would give the Cardinals their first Big Eight title since 2002. Making the showdown even more electric is that Memorial has won its last 10 games since a 3-2 loss in nine innings to Middleton on April 22.

"Anytime you play your last game of the regular season you want to finish up well and Memorial is right there with us," Schmitt said. "They're in second place and playing good ball, too."

Despite a two-game losing streak and a drop to third in the WBCA Division 1 rankings, junior center fielder Derek Layton was asked if the Cardinals are on the right path to their first state title since 2003.

"We're getting there. We've been kind of shaky the last couple of games; our defense hasn't been as strong as it was," Layton said. "We're still hitting the ball pretty good so hopefully (the hits) fall and our defense picks up."

That would satisfy right fielder-pitcher Danny Lochner, who suffered a season-ending injury midway through the season.

Lochner, who was an all-Big Eight infielder last season, moved to the outfield this season for the betterment of the club. The senior captain was just getting comfortable with the switch when a pre-existing stress fracture in his left foot completely broke while he was running the bases during practice three weeks ago.

After a screw was inserted into the left side of his foot during surgery — Lochner has what is termed a Jones fracture — he has been relegated to crutches, a walking boot and cheerleader status.

"I just hope they keep winning," Lochner said. "That would make me feel so much better about the whole season."

Schmitt has mixed and matched players to fill the void left by Lochner's injury. Seniors Dain Ziegler and Tim Kirschbaum and junior Garrett Novinski have played right field, while Layton and sophomore shortstop Shane Adler have been asked to step in behind senior ace Joe Heise.

"One of the strengths of this team is our depth. Players that don't see the field some games would start on almost any other team in the conference," Layton said. "Also, just the versatility of our depth. We have people playing that are infielders and outfielders and also pitch."

Schmitt was in his first season when Middleton won its last state title. So he knows, and statistics show, that the preseason top billing — Madison Edgewood also earned this year's ranking in Division 2 — does not guarantee hoisting the gold ball in Grand Chute.

"It's playing good ball at the right time, getting good pitching and timely hitting. That's the key in the tournament drive," Schmitt said.