The high school baseball season is kicking into gear, as a few local teams are already off to good starts.

Columbia (6-1) picked up a 6-5 victory in the rain Monday at Althoff. The game was tied at 4-4 after five innings. Lucas Riebeling started for the Eagles and gave way to Logan Sabo, who allowed just two unearned runs over four innings for the mound victory. Brody Landgraf collected two hits.

Last Friday, the Eagles won 3-0 at Gillespie. No runs were scored in this contest past the third inning. Brady Mathews and Sabo combined to shut down the Miners, allowing just two hits total while striking out 13. 

Last Thursday, Columbia swept a doubleheader in St. Louis against Clayton. 

The first game was a 5-1 victory for the Eagles, with pitchers Riebeling, Mason Voegele and Brady Hemminghaus combining to allow just one hit in the game. At the plate, Riebeling tripled.   

In the second game, Columbia won 13-0 behind a combined two-hit shutout between pitchers Aiden Masidonski, Sam Donald and Anthony Antonas. Sully Bonaldi went 2-for-2 with three RBIs and Ben Simmons went 2-for-4 with four RBIs to pace Columbia’s hitting attack.

Columbia travels south to Waterloo on Saturday for games against the rival Bulldogs and also Marion. 

On Monday, Columbia will play at Gibault and then on Tuesday, the Eagles will host Breese Central. 

Leading hitters for Columbia early this spring include Logan Bosch at .462 and Simmons at .438. 

Valmeyer is also playing well at 8-2. 

On Thursday, the Pirates pulled off a 6-5 win at Marissa. Luke Blackwell homered and drove in three runs. Jacob Brown and Troy Neff added two hits each.

On Tuesday, the Pirates won 6-1 over New Athens as Blackwell got the pitching win and both Jake Killy and Landon Roy collecting two hits.

Last Friday, the Pirates posted an 8-3 victory over Trico. Kye Holbrook picked up the pitching win with Valmeyer’s Blackwell, Roy and Chase Snyder collecting two hits each. 

Last Wednesday, Valmeyer won 11-6 over Okawville. The Pirates trailed 5-2 after six innings before exploding for nine runs in the top of the seventh. Brown led the Pirates on offense, going 2-for-3 with three RBIs.

Last Tuesday, Valmeyer won 16-0 over Cahokia thanks to 11 walks issued to its hitters. Blackwell and Roy each had two hits on the day. 

Blackwell remains on fire for the Pirates, hitting .464 with eight extra base hits and 18 RBIs.

Roy is hitting .429 with 16 runs and 10 stolen bases for the Pirates, who play this coming Tuesday at Steeleville. 

Gibault (3-6) split recent contests.

On Thursday, the Hawks lost 8-5 at home to Marquette. Brady Biffar went 2-for-3 with an RBI, three runs and two stolen bases.

On Wednesday, Gibault won 7-6 over Chester, who plated two run in the top of the seventh inning to tie the game. The Hawks won it with a run in their final at-bat. Biffar and Andy Altes each had two hits.

Last Tuesday, the Hawks won 3-2 over New Athens with Biffar striking out 14 in a complete game mound effort. Ty Frierdich provided the offensive spark for the Hawks with two hits and an RBI.

Last Wednesday, Gibault beat up on Cahokia to the tune of 23-3. The Hawks were issued 18 free passes, which surely helped. Noah Koeninger and Cade Kostelac each had two hits in the win. 

On Saturday, Gibault dropped two games at home against Marissa. The Hawks lost 13-1 and 5-3. A bright spot on the day for Gibault was Tyler Frierdich, who went 4-for-7 overall.

Another offensive standout this spring for Gibault is Biffar, who is hitting .440 with nine runs scored.

Gibault is hoping to find solid pitching behind Biffar, as it has a number of upcoming games – including a Saturday doubleheader against Mascoutah. On Monday, Gibault welcomes Columbia. 

Waterloo (3-2) won 13-0 at home over Trico on Wednesday. Mason Riggs and Jack Roessler collected two hits and two RBIs each. For photos from this game, click here.

The ‘Dogs lost 19-2 last Tuesday at O’Fallon, but bounced back with a 5-0 win at New Athens last Thursday. 

Nate Phillips, a senior righthander, had a day to remember for the Bulldogs. He struck out 17 in a complete game no-hitter against New Athens.

Brayden Hays and Caleb Papenberg each collected two hits for Waterloo, which welcomes Columbia and Marion to town for a Saturday doubleheader. 

On Monday, the ‘Dogs do battle at Freeburg.