Columbia’s Kaelyn Rheinecker went 20-2 with a 1.84 ERA this spring for the Eagles. (Corey Saathoff photo)

The local high school softball scene was dominated by Columbia and its amazing 32-2 season. 

This year’s Republic-Times All-Local Softball Team features several Eagles players, but there was plenty of talent on display from Waterloo, Valmeyer, Dupo and Gibault as well. 

Here’s a look at the 2018 R-T All-Local Softball Team.

FIRST TEAM
Keeler van Breusegen, Columbia. A 32-game hitting streak was a major highlight of van Breusegen’s sensational senior season. The Bradley University commit ranked second in the entire St. Louis area with 16 doubles, fourth with 18 stolen bases, and sixth with 45 runs. She hit .461 with a .496 on base percentage and 32 RBIs. She was named to the Illinois Coaches Association Class 3A All-State First Team.
Chelsy Pena, Columbia. A member of the ICA Class 3A All-State Second Team, Pena  tied for third in the St. Louis area with nine home runs, tied for fourth in RBIs with 46, and was fifth with 46 runs. The SEMO commit hit .458 with a .515 on base percentage and an .856 slugging percentage.
Chelsea Hooker, Valmeyer. This junior continued her amazing softball career for the Pirates with a .517 batting average, .582 on base percentage and 1.000 slugging percentage this spring. All ranked near the top in the St. Louis area. She also hit 15 doubles.
Lexi Touchette, Columbia. Another member of the ICA Class 3A All-State Second Team, this junior tied for fourth in the area with eight home runs. She hit .464 with a .539 on base percentage, 14 doubles, 32 runs and 37 RBIs.
Taylor Downen, Waterloo. Another talented junior, Downen hit .431 with 11 doubles and 24 runs to lead the Bulldogs.
Jaynie Vanatta, Valmeyer. This senior capped off a successful softball career by hitting .474 with a .487 on base percentage and 21 runs scored.
Aryn Henke, Columbia. Just a sophomore, Henke bolstered an already potent Eagles offense by hitting .475 with a .552 on base percentage, 43 RBIs, 36 runs and 17 stolen bases.
Taylor Kaufmann, Waterloo. This Southwestern Illinois College commit completed a solid career for the Bulldogs by leading the team in home runs with seven. She hit .337 with a .663 slugging percentage and 33 RBIs.
Kaelyn Rheinecker, Columbia. The pitching numbers for this junior were outstanding. She posted a 20-2 record with a 1.84 ERA and 196 strikeouts in 144.3 innings.
Calli Wibbenmeyer, Columbia. This Rockhurst University commit tied for third in the St. Louis area in home runs this spring with nine. She hit .402 with a .496 on base percentage, 39 RBIs and 39 runs. Wibbenmeyer, who made the ICA Class 3A All-State Third Team, finished her varsity career with 160 total hits.

SECOND TEAM
Lilly Schlemmer, Valmeyer. This junior hit .450 with four triples and 21 RBIs for the Pirates. She’ll join with Hooker to form a strong middle of the batting order next spring.

Mikaela Kossina, Columbia. This versatile junior went 12-0 with a 3.72 ERA as a pitcher and hit .390 with 23 RBIs for the Eagles this spring. 

Kenzie Kloess, Dupo. Another junior, Kloess hit .427 with a .511 on base percentage and 20 RBIs to lead the Tigers.

Lindsey Merritt, Waterloo. Another versatile player, Merritt posted a 3.71 ERA while handling the bulk of pitching duties and also hit .360 with 19 RBIs.

Cierra Goldschmidt, Valmeyer. This senior hit .403 with a .471 on base percentage and 21 runs, and went 3-3 in the pitching circle for the Pirates.

Kylie Cleveland, Columbia. Just a freshman, Cleveland made an instant impact for the Eagles. She hit .383 with 31 RBIs and 24 runs.

Reagan Carner, Dupo. Another junior, Carner hit .392 with a .477 on base percentage, five home runs, 13 RBIs and 26 runs. 

Taylor Wilson, Waterloo. Another freshman makes the list. Wilson showed flashes of future stardom for the Bulldogs, hitting .323 with 11 doubles and 19 runs. 

Lexi Poepper, Gibault. This senior led the Hawks in batting average at .333 and also led in RBIs and runs.

Cameron Foster, Dupo. The third junior for the Tigers on this list, Foster hit .370 with a .457 on base percentage, 11 stolen bases and 23 runs.

HONORABLE MENTION
Ashlyn Wightman (Gibault), Kassidee Keys (Dupo), Madison Limestall (Waterloo), Abbey Goff (Waterloo), Sarah Ostertag (Dupo), Jordan Cygan (Columbia), Britney Edwards (Columbia), Whitney Edwards (Columbia), Mallory McCarthy (Valmeyer), Brianna Miller (Valmeyer), Guin Kohnz (Valmeyer), Kendra Goldschmidt (Valmeyer), Lindsay Wibbenmeyer (Columbia), Mary Clare Murphy (Gibault), Skyler Barker (Waterloo)