With the Valmeyer Midsummer Classic now in the rearview mirror, Mon-Clair League teams returned to the regular season grind this past weekend.

The Valmeyer Lakers got back to their winning ways courtesy of a 9-2 victory on Sunday over the Millstadt Green Machine. 

The key blast came from Matt Helm, who smacked a grand slam for the Lakers. Kameron Hanvey added four hits, with two hits each from Andrew Whipple, Trevor Davis and Jonah James. 

Philip Reinhardt pitched six solid innings for the mound victory. 

At 4-0 with a 0.95 ERA in 22 innings, Reinhardt trails only teammate Jacob Thompson (5-0, 0.21 ERA in 33-plus innings) in the league pitching standings this summer. 

Both are lefties. 

Valmeyer hosts a split tripleheader this Saturday at Borsch Park, with the Lakers hosting the St. Louis Spikes at noon, followed by the Waterloo Buds vs. the Spikes at 2 p.m. and Waterloo vs. Valmeyer at 4 p.m. 

Valmeyer then hosts the Spikes for a Sunday doubleheader. 

Prior to Sunday’s loss, Millstadt (7-10) picked up a 4-3 win over the Spikes on Thursday. The Kossina brothers – Tony, Cal and Joey – collected four of the hits and drove in all four runs for the Green Machine. 

Millstadt is led on offense this season by Brian Lupa (.389, 11 RBIs) and Tony Kossina (.375). On the mound, the top pitchers for the Green Machine include Kamden Casey (3.05 ERA in 20-plus innings) and Jake Stedman (3-1, 3.64 ERA in 25 innings).

Millstadt also hosts a split tripleheader this Saturday, starting with a noon contest between the Green Machine and Belleville Rockies. At 2 p.m., it’s Edwardsville vs. Belleville. At 4 p.m., Edwardsville battles Millstadt.

On Sunday, Millstadt plays a doubleheader at Edwardsville.

Fresh off a Midsummer Classic championship, the Waterloo Buds (6-12) dropped three of four games over the weekend. 

On Friday, the Buds lost 13-2 before rallying for a 4-3 win at home over Belleville. Waterloo plated two runs in the sixth inning of the second game to manage a split.

On Sunday, the Spikes took it to Waterloo to the tune of 11-1 and 13-2. Sam Wahlig was the lone bright spot for the Buds. He had a hit and RBI in game one and a hit and two RBIs in game two.

For the season, Ty Kueper (.395, nine RBIs) and Nate Albrecht (.356) are the top hitters for Waterloo. 

Following the Saturday games in Valmeyer, Waterloo hosts Belleville for one game this Sunday afternoon. 

All-stars chosen

The Mon-Clair League All-Stars will battle the St. Louis Men’s Baseball League All-Stars in an exhibition contest set for 7 p.m. July 24 at Saint Louis University. 

Valmeyer players named to the all-star squad are Matt Helm, Jacob Thompson, Philip Reinhardt, Jonah James, Mark Nappier and Trevor Davis.

Waterloo players selected as all-stars are Ty Kueper, Alex Schreckenberg and George Schneider.

Millstadt players named as all-stars are Tony, Cal and Joey Kossina, Brian Lupa and Jake Stedman.