A few local high school softball teams are finding different ways to win this spring, be it pitching, power, speed or defense. 

Waterloo (18-5) had won four straight games following a 6-2 victory Monday over Jerseyville. Maddie Gummersheimer and Mallory Thompson collected three hits each, and Mia Miller struck out 13 for the complete game pitching win.

On Wednesday, the Bulldogs lost 4-1 to Triad despite two hits each from Miller, Thompson and Samantha Juelfs.

On Saturday, the Bulldogs won 6-1 at Valmeyer. Gummersheimer and Juelfs each had two hits, with Miller striking out 11 on the day.

On Friday, it was a 12-3 victory over Chester. Raelyn Melching went 3-for-4 with a home run and five RBIs. Juelfs added three hits, and Dintelman went 3-for-3 with a pair of RBIs in addition to striking out nine in the pitching circle.

Last Wednesday, Waterloo won 12-0 at Civic Memorial. Melching went 2-for-3 with a homer and four RBIs. Gummersheimer went 3-for-3 with a homer, and Thompson went 3-for-4.

Waterloo hosts Civic Memorial this coming Monday. 

Melching is hitting .452 with six home runs, seven doubles and 34 RBIs to pace the Bulldogs offense. 

Juelfs is at .436 with 12 doubles and 24 runs. Gummersheimer is hitting .429 with 16 RBIs.

Miller is 10-4 with a 1.11 ERA and 157 strikeouts in 82 and one-third innings pitched. 

Columbia (15-8) posted an 11-1 win over Gibault on Friday, as the Eagles pounded out 14 hits. Elle van Breusegen went 3-for-4 with two runs. 

The Eagles played Thursday at Breese Central, falling 9-4. Sam Augustine went 3-for-4 with two RBIs. 

The Columbia offense is led by van Breusegen, who is hitting .494 with 31 runs and 12 stolen bases. 

Jaylyn Brister is hitting .452 with 31 RBIs. 

Paige Froess is hitting .432 with 22 RBIs in addition to being 4-4 with a 1.63 ERA.

Reagan Mathews is hitting .412 with four homers and 14 RBIs.

Emily Webb is the top pitcher for the Eagles, going 5-3 with a 1.31 ERA.

Other than Saturday’s loss at home to Waterloo, Valmeyer (10-4) has reeled off some recent wins. 

Last Thursday, the Pirates won 6-0 at Sparta. Madilyn Huddleston picked up the pitching victory and drove in two runs. Rylee Nagel also drove in two runs. 

Last Wednesday, it was an 8-2 win for the Pirates over Gibault. 

Last Tuesday, Valmeyer won 5-0 over New Athens. Brooke Miller homered and struck out 14 in complete game three-hit shutout. Mia McSchooler added three hits for the Pirates, who play Friday at Red Bud before hosting Dupo this coming Tuesday. 

Miller is hitting .512 this season with three home runs. As a pitcher, the senior righty has a 1.39 ERA.

In last Wednesday’s loss to Valmeyer, Gibault (5-10) was led by Karina Jerkatis, who had two hits.

The Hawks won 15-5 on Wednesday over Steeleville. Libby Mesch went 3-for-3 with a home run.

Mesch leads Gibault in hitting at .542 with 11 RBIs.

Dupo (1-11) dropped a 12-1 contest to New Athens on Monday. Maryann Imhoff had a triple and RBI for the Tigers.

On Thursday, it was a 5-4 loss at New Athens despite a 4-for-4 showing from Keara Prater.

Last Wednesday, Dupo lost 9-4 to Steeleville. Kylie Fillinger was 2-for-3 with a run for the Tigers, who travel this coming Tuesday to Valmeyer. 

Prater leads Dupo in hitting this season at .400 with 11 runs.