EDWARDSVILLE - Belleville East coach Ryan Wiggs said his team’s latest test in the Southwestern Conference felt familiar as the Lancers lost 4-0 to Edwardsville at Edwardsville. He called it just another day in what he described as an “always tough” Southwestern Conference matchup, as the Lancers and Edwardsville prepare to meet again Thursday afternoon, April 30, 2026, in Belleville, Illinois.
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"Obviously, it’s always tough in the Southwestern Conference, and Edwardsville’s always coached well by Coach Tim Funkhouser; they always play well," Wiggs said. "It’s always tough to come here, and we had a battle, like we always do, today.”
Belleville East is 8-14-1, and Edwardsville is 12-8 entering the rematch, scheduled for 4:30 p.m. Thursday at Belleville East. Edwardsville has one conference loss so far, a defeat last week to Belleville West.
“They make the return trip,” Wiggs said, “and hopefully, it’s a grind-it-out battle, like today. Hopefully, we can come out on top in that one.”
Wiggs said East has continued to compete through a difficult stretch.
“We’re grinding,” Wiggs said. “We’re in a little bit of a dry spell right now, but they keep battling, they keep fighting, and that’s all you can ask for as a coach.”
Asked about his goals for the rest of the season, Wiggs said his focus remains on the next game.
“Just wake up, and just play a good baseball game tomorrow,” he said. “Just go on one day at a time.”
Belleville East is also set to host an IHSA Class 4A regional at the end of May, something Wiggs said the program is anticipating.
“That is something we’re looking forward to, for sure,” Wiggs said. “You always like to host and play on your home field.”
Looking ahead, Belleville East will host Waterloo Gibault Catholic on Wednesday afternoon, then play at Valmeyer on Monday and host Effingham St. Anthony Catholic on May 8. All games start at 4:30 p.m.
