The Conant Cougars will face off against the Bartlett Hawks at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday. Conant is strutting in with some hitting muscle as they've averaged 7.5 runs per game this season.
Conant took a loss when they played away from home on Wednesday, but their home fans gave them all the motivation they needed on Friday. They were the clear victors by a 9-2 margin over Wheeling. The result was nothing new for the Cougars, who have now won nine matchups by six runs or more so far this season.
Joseph Garza
| 05/01/26 vs Wheeling | 1 |
| 04/24/26 @ Hoffman Estates | 1 |
| 04/10/26 @ Elk Grove | 1 |
Joseph Garza made a splash while hitting and pitching. On the mound, he pitched four innings while giving up just one earned (and one unearned) run off three hits. He has been consistent recently: he hasn't given up more than one earned run in three consecutive appearances. He was also big at the plate, going 2-for-3 with one double and one RBI.
In other pitching news, Mason Hopkins looked comfortable as he tossed three innings while giving up no earned runs off two hits. He has been nothing but reliable on the mound: he hasn't given up more than two walks any time he's pitched this season.
Back at the plate, the team relied heavily on Andrew Miller, who went 2-for-4 with one home run, three RBI, and two runs. The team also got some help courtesy of Alex Martinez, who went 2-for-4 with one double and one RBI.
Meanwhile, Bartlett entered their tilt with Riverside-Brookfield on Thursday with four consecutive wins but they'll enter their next game with five. They came out on top against the Bulldogs by a score of 5-2.
Bartlett's victory was truly a team effort as seven different players contributed at least one hit. One of them was Mason Leiterman, who went 1-for-2 with one stolen base, one run, and one RBI. Vince Yario was another, going 1-for-4 with two RBI and one run.
Conant's win bumped their record up to 14-7-1. As for Bartlett, their victory bumped their record up to 15-8.
Conant came up short against Bartlett when the teams last played back in April of 2025, falling 10-5. Will the Cougars have more luck at home instead of on the road? Check back here after the action for a full breakdown and analysis of the contest.
