SAN FRANCISCO – Three batters into Tuesday’s season opener, and it was clear that senior pitcher Jack Dyke was dialed in for St. Ignatius. Dyke, who was also an All-WCAL selection as an offensive lineman during football season, set down Campolindo in order to start the game, received some early run support, and then took over as the Wildcats cruised to the 9-0 victory in the season opener for both programs.
Dyke threw just 75 pitches over six innings, even while striking out 10 batters. He allowed just one hit, a double to right field in the top of the fifth inning by Cougar senior Justin Bocks, and issued just one walk during a commanding performance.
“Jack pounded the zone, and changed speeds real well,” said St. Ignatius coach Brian Pollzzie. “They chased him up in the zone, and he really got into a rhythm starting in the second inning. He pitched ahead in the count all game long.”
The Wildcats (1-0) also gave Dyke an early cushion, scoring five times in the bottom of the first inning against Campolindo starter Michael Crews. Matthew Kitts, Sean Redmond and Cooper Lee strung together run-scoring singles during the inning. Kitts and Redmond joined Colin McCarthy as a trio of SI players to have multi-hit games. McCarthy reached base in all four of his at-bats, singling twice and drawing a pair of free passes.
St. Ignatius also showed off an ability to advance on the base paths, swiping four stolen bases. Kitts and McCarthy added steals to their overall performances, as did Dyke and Mario Demera. And while Dyke also helped his own cause by later driving in a run, his most impressive play of the day might have come while playing first base in the top of the seventh inning, after Colin Clifford headed to the hill for the final three outs. Dyke made a diving stop to his right, then recovered to get up and dive back to the bag in time to beat Campolindo’s Grant Harper, another two-sport standout.
“Jack is just an overall athlete,” Pollzzie added. “He does so many things well.”
St. Ignatius returns to action on Thursday, Feb. 21 when the Wildcats host Menlo-Atherton. Campolindo (0-1) looks for its first win on Tuesday, Feb. 26 when it travels to Dixon.
SHC has a new star
Opening its season with a 14-3 win over Menlo is impressive enough. But the fact that a freshman playing in his first high school game did the most damage has to open some eyes around the section after Sacred Heart Cathedral’s victory on Tuesday.
Lucas Kelly went 3-for-3 with a double and five RBIs in the win, and showed patience at the plate with a second-inning walk that preceded Raphael Cervantez’s two-run homer, a shot that tied the game at two after the host Knights had struck for a pair in the bottom of the first. Then, in Kelly’s second at-bat, his double to right-center with the bases loaded drove in three runs and gave the Fightin’ Irish a lead they would never relinquish, as part of a 10-run outburst in the top of the third.
“It was a perfect day at the plate for Lucas,” said Sacred Heart Cathedral coach Brian Morgan. “We had talked this week about hitting in RBI situations, and not trying to do too much. So to see a freshman in his first varsity game sit back and drive a ball the other way was impressive.”
Kelly later added two more hits, going up the middle both times, and was one of six SHC batters who had multi-hit games.
“It’s easy for a young guy to get too excited and want to pull everything, but he really has a mature approach and lets his talent do the work,” Morgan added.
Dominick Pautin, Keshawn Ogans, Chris Rodriguez, Dan Hinderliter and Conner LaChapelle all had two hits during the win, while junior Uday Narottam struck out four batters in four innings of work to get the win.
Big fifth inning carries Los Altos
Los Altos jumped out to an early lead against Gunn on Tuesday, but needed a big inning in the bottom of the fifth to pull out a 14-8 victory at home.
“There were definitely early season jitters for the pitchers and the defenses, but hits and runs were in mid-season form,” said Los Altos coach Gabe Stewart. “That being said, we need to tighten up our pitching and defense for some of our upcoming opponents.”
Ryan Baum’s three-run double gave the Eagles a 5-0 lead in the bottom of the second inning, but Gunn eventually tied the game at six in the top of the fifth inning. Los Altos responded with an eight-run inning in the bottom half of the fifth, highlighted by back-to-back doubles from Baum and Aidan Brenner. Baum finished the day with four RBIs, and Ben Parker picked up the win on the mound, pitching two and two-thirds innings in relief.
Los Altos takes on Leigh on Wednesday.
Around the CCS
Senior Max Moreno allowed just one hit and struck out seven during five scoreless innings of work on Tuesday, leading Woodside to the 5-0 win over Terra Nova.
Senior Tommy Ozawa went 3-for-3 with five RBIs as San Mateo routed Balboa, 21-0. Jack Warren struck out six and allowed just one hit in four innings on the mound.
Senior Jacob Liquori went 4-for-4, and Nicholas Lopez and Logan Reulman each homered during Santa Teresa’s 9-7 win over Ann Sobrato.
