The 2015 high school baseball season featured amazing team and individual accomplishments including conference and regional championships by the Waterloo Bulldogs, a co-conference title by the Dupo Tigers and Valmeyer Pirates, and no-hitters, high batting averages and other impressive player feats.

This year’s Republic-Times All-Local Baseball Team packages together all of those highlights in the area and more.

PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Cam Touchette, Columbia: Already known for his bowling success (three trips to state), the lefthanded-swinging junior made his mark on the area baseball scene this spring. His .556 average was second in the entire St. Louis area, to go along with his area-leading 46 stolen bases. Touchette also scored 40 runs for the Eagles.

FIRST TEAM
Tyler McAlister, Waterloo: Also a junior, McAlister led the Bulldogs with a .458 average, seven home runs and 33 RBIs this spring. On the mound, McAlister posted a 3-3 record and 3.50 ERA.
Jordan McFarland, Gibault: Yet another junior, McFarland led the Hawks this spring with eight home runs and 42 RBIs to go along with his .427 average. He’s looking for even better numbers to close out his Gibault career next spring.
Brendan Wilhelm, Columbia: The senior ace righty led the Eagles with a 7-3 record, 2.04 ERA and 60 strikeouts on the mound this spring, including an outstanding nine-inning no-hitter.
Easton Wallace, Valmeyer: The future looks very bright for this sophomore who led the Pirates with a .455 average at the plate. He added 38 RBIs and went 6-0 on the mound to boot.
Chandler Purcell, Gibault: The senior infielder capped off a great career for the Hawks with a team-leading .467 average. He added 42 runs scored and 33 RBIs.
Ryan Aycock, Waterloo: Also a senior, Aycock provided leadership for the Bulldogs this spring and backed it up with his numbers at the plate: .413, 30 runs, 25 RBIs and 16 stolen bases.
Hunter Brewer, Valmeyer: Another senior who showed leadership, Brewer hit .375 with three home runs, 38 runs scored and 25 RBIs for the Pirates. He also posted a 2.64 ERA with 61 strikeouts in 50 innings on the mound with four complete games.
Corey Vogel, Waterloo: Yet another senior joins the first team. The southpaw ace led the Bulldogs with a 6-1 record, 2.05 ERA and 47 strikeouts this spring, making his father — Waterloo head coach Mark Vogel — very proud.
Austin Francis, Dupo: Francis provided the Tigers with an offensive spark that guided them to a share of the Kaskaskia Conference crown. He hit .479 with 18 RBIs.

SECOND TEAM
Kane Osterhage, Waterloo: The junior shortstop provided great defense this spring and hit .391 with 21 stolen bases and 45 runs scored for the Bulldogs.
Mark Nappier, Valmeyer: Also a junior, Nappier set the stage for future success with a .381 average, five home runs and 30 RBIs this spring.
JT Broshears, Columbia: A senior, Broshears provided leadership for the Eagles in the field, on the mound and at the plate. He hit .333 with 10 stolen bases and was 5-3 as a pitcher with a 2.31 ERA, including a no-hitter.
Alec Skaer, Gibault: Skaer added to the lofty offensive numbers the Hawks put up this spring, hitting .369 with 30 runs scored.
Jordan Prange, Dupo: The lefty was a force on the mound, posting a 6-2 record and 3.15 ERA with an amazing 77 strikeouts in 47 innings.
Trevor Davis, Gibault: The super sophomore showed his all-around athletic ability on the baseball diamond, hitting .333 with 26 RBIs and posting a 4-3 record on the hill with 33 strikeouts.
Brett Degener, Waterloo: The lefthanded-swinging Degener came through at the plate this spring for the Bulldogs, hitting .345 with 25 runs scored.
Griffin Seidler, Valmeyer: A co-valedictorian of his class off the field, Seidler excelled on the diamond as well, hitting .324 with 20 stolen bases, 28 runs scored and 21 RBIs for the Pirates.
Noah Thaggard, Waterloo: The junior righty came on strong just in time for the postseason, posting a 5-3 record and 3.04 ERA with 43 strikeouts for the Bulldogs.
Zach Mathews, Columbia: The senior infielder has baseball in his blood, and that was evident with his .323 average and 22 runs scored this spring while providing all-out hustle for the Eagles.

HONORABLE MENTION
Jake Krekel (Valmeyer), Jacob Hill (Columbia), Drake Harvell (Dupo), Tyler Brinkmann (Gibault), Eric Smith (Valmeyer), Ben Maurer (Waterloo), Lamont Read (Columbia), Aaron Laskowski (Waterloo), Blake Crawford (Columbia), Dylan McCoy (Gibault)