The Hazleton Area Cougars will challenge the State College Little Lions at 12:00 p.m. on Saturday. Hazleton Area knows how to get runs on the board -- the squad has finished with ten runs or more in their past three matchups -- so hopefully State College likes a good challenge.
On Friday, Hazleton Area got the win against Berwick by a conclusive 10-2. Considering the Cougars have won 11 contests by more than five runs this season, Friday's blowout was nothing new.
Jack Esposito
| 05/08/26 @ Berwick | 5 |
| 04/28/26 @ Wilkes-Barre | 6 |
| 04/22/26 vs Crestwood | 5 |
Jack Esposito tossed a big game, tossing five innings while giving up just one earned run off four hits. He has been consistent recently: he hasn't tossed less than five strikeouts in three consecutive appearances.
At the plate, Logan Hearity was incredible, going 2-for-3 with three runs, one triple, and two RBI. The team also got some help courtesy of Brady Glickert, who went a perfect 2-for-2 with two runs, one stolen base, and one RBI.
Meanwhile, State College can bid farewell to their five-game losing streak thanks to their game on Thursday. They had just enough and edged out Central Dauphin 9-8.
State College also got a great performance from Cody Norman as he pitched five innings while giving up just two earned runs off five hits.
On the hitting side, Connor Kulka was a standout: he went 3-for-5 with three runs and one double. He has become a key player for State College: the team is 2-1 when he posts at least two runs, but 6-9 otherwise. Another player making a difference was Rowan Walker, who went 3-for-4 with three runs and one RBI.
State College kept the outfield on their toes and finished the game with 14 hits. That's the most hits they've managed all season.
Hazleton Area's victory bumped their record up to 16-2. As for State College, their win bumped their record up to 8-10.
State College's pitching crew has a crucial task ahead of them: Hazleton Area has hit smart this season, having averaged an OBP of .472. It's a different story for State College, though, as they've only averaged .346. Will they be able to contain Hazleton Area's hitters?
Everything went Hazleton Area's way against State College when the teams last played back in May of 2025, as Hazleton Area made off with a 9-1 victory. Do the Cougars have another victory up their sleeve, or will the Little Lions turn the tables on them? We'll have the answer soon enough.
