HALF MOON BAY, CA - What was billed as a marquee non-league match-up between two of the top three programs in the Central Coast Section rankings became a one-sided affair on Tuesday afternoon, as visiting St. Ignatius dominated Half Moon Bay, 11-0.
The Wildcats (11-1) struck early and often, pounding out 13 hits against Cougars ace hurler Grace Garcia. Meanwhile, St. Ignatius pitcher Madie Augusto kept Half Moon Bay (6-1) off the scoreboard, striking out 11 and allowing just two hits in the complete game effort.
Sophomore Kelly McGuigan had a career day for SI at the plate, leading the attack with a three-homer, six-RBI effort offensively. She started things with her two-run homer in the top of the first inning, after junior Maicie Levitt had doubled to lead off the game.
Two innings later, with the score still 2-0, McGuigan delivered a two-out solo shot to make it a three-run lead. In the top of the fourth, the Wildcats tacked on three more runs when Levitt singled to score Marjoelle Palacio and junior Madison Gunn singled to score Levitt and Jane Ghiselli.
St. Ignatius put things away for good in the top of the sixth inning, when Levitt walked and Gunn reached on an error to put a pair of runners on base for McGuigan. She came through again, lofting the second pitch she saw for a three-run homer and the final runs of the game.
McGuigan and Augusto each had three hits for the Wildcats, while Garcia and Lily Moffitt had the only hits of the game for Half Moon Bay.
St. Ignatius is off until hosting Archbishop Mitty on April 10, while Half Moon Bay will look to shake off its first loss of the season on Thursday against Woodside in a PAL-Bay contest.
