Many local high school softball teams won more than they lost last week, as the regular season is now in full swing.

Columbia

The Eagles swept their slate of games last week to improve to 14-2 on the season behind the hot pitching of Brianna Weilbacher, who struck out 38 batters over the three-game stretch.

The Eagles beat Freeburg last Tuesday, 4-0, behind Weilbacher’s two-hit, 10 strikeout performance.

Columbia pounded out 18 hits last Wednesday to top Gibault, 18-0. Rachel Garcia, Taryn Pena and Weilbacher each had three RBIs in the win.

Thursday, the Eagles played Breese Central and Weilbacher was lights out. She threw a no-hitter while striking out 16, as the Eagles went on to win 9-0. She also went 3-for-4 at the plate with three RBIs, a double and a home run.

Kelly Metter was 1-for-2 with a double and two RBIs against Central; Garcia went 1-for-2 with a home run and an RBI.

“I continue to like how we are having great, disciplined at bats. Our defense has made some great plays and Brianna continues to work hard and take charge in the circle,” Columbia head coach Rhonda Major said. “We need to continue to work together and pick up our overall intensity a little bit.”

The Eagles played at Wesclin on Tuesday and will play Thursday at Carlyle.

Waterloo

Meanwhile, the Bulldogs sit at 11-3 after winning seven straight games.

Waterloo topped Jerseyville last Wednesday, 5-1, behind another strong pitching performance from Kasey Bradley. She allowed one run on four hits while striking out seven.

Kylie Albrecht led the offense, going 3-for-4 with a double and two RBIs.

Bradley continued her mound mastery Thursday against Gibault, holding the Hawks scoreless on two hits while striking out 10 in the 7-0 win.

Bradley helped her own cause at the plate, going 3-for-4 with three RBIs. Taylor Yearian’s home run over the centerfield wall in fourth inning put the game out of reach.

Friday, Waterloo hosted Red Bud in what was a close game until the sixth. Waterloo put up four runs in the frame to pull away, 6-2.

Madison Kruse led the offense, going 2-for-3 with a triple and two RBIs.

Waterloo won again Monday, blasting Civic Memorial 13-0. Bradley threw a five-inning no-hitter, walking just one, and Yearian had another big day with two hits and four RBIs.

Dupo

The young Tigers are showing they are a force to be reckoned with this spring. At 14-5, Dupo is vastly improved from just a season ago.

The Tigers had a busy week, playing two conference games and five games in the O’Fallon Tournament.

First, Dupo beat conference foes Lebanon and Steeleville. Megan Brown was huge for the Tigers in both games on the mound, striking out 13 against Lebanon and 10 against Steelville.

The Tigers then went 3-2 in the O’Fallon tourney, beating DuQuoin, Piasa Southwestern and O’Fallon with losses to Edwardsville and Triad.

“I am so happy to see these girls mature a little at a time and improve on some of the things that troubled us early in the season. We (the coaches) ask the girls over and over to not worry about mistakes, learn from them. That is the key to improving,” Dupo head coach Greg Pennock said. “Another huge improvement we saw this weekend were adjustments being made throughout the games at the plate. One main key to being a consistent hitter is being

able to adjust to different type pitches and pitchers.”

Rachael Donald continues her torrid pace at the plate. Her average is currently .545, and she has 10 doubles among her 30 hits with 25 RBIs.

Gibault

The Hawks (9-6) topped Alton Marquette, 4-0, last Tuesday before losing to Columbia last Wednesday and Waterloo on Thursday. The Hawks got back in the win column on Monday, defeating Wesclin 8-1.

Noelle Davis picked up the win on the mound against Wesclin and also hit a home run with four RBIs at the plate.

Lauren Prader added a home run and a double.

The Hawks host Collinsville on Wednesday.

Valmeyer

Valmeyer won its first game of the season against Brussels on Friday, 10-0.

Jordyn Killy, who hit three triples during the week, pitched a three-hitter Friday in the win.  Elizabeth Chism also hit two triples in the recent games.

Valmeyer lost to Steeleville on Monday, 3-1. Maddison Hansen pitched well for the Pirates, allowing only one earned run on five hits. Blair Brady had two hits and a stolen base.   Sammi Sensel and Paige Bangle also had hits.

“Moving ahead, we have to do a better job of hitting as a team,” Valmeyer head coach Rich Kasson said. “We also have to eliminate errors on routine plays.”