If opposing pitchers weren’t aware of the power-hitting prowess of St. Ignatius sophomore Kelly McGuigan before this year, they certainly are now, after the Wildcats’ slugger went deep more often than any other player in the Central Coast Section during the 2018 season.

After slugging six home runs as a freshman, McGuigan picked up where she left off early in 2018, homering in a season-opening win over Lowell and then twice more in St. Ignatius’ second game of the season against Terra Nova. But it was at the end of March, facing a previously unbeaten Half Moon Bay team that the sophomore really turned heads, connecting for three home runs and driving in six runs as the Wildcats made a statement with a 9-0 victory.

“(Kelly)’s big thing this year was to remain patient,” said St. Ignatius coach Derek Johnson. “She is able to handle a lot of pitches, and can send something out with just a piece of it. So pitch selection became a real big focus this year.”

McGuigan also took over full-time behind the plate for the Wildcats, after splitting time there as a freshman with shortstop Maicie Levitt. She registered eight assists from the catcher position, despite not playing the position year-round.

“She did a remarkable job behind the plate, especially because it’s not her true position,” Johnson remarked. “She plays the corner positions during travel ball, but I knew she could also catch, and it was great for us to have her back there, to have someone who understands the game. She’s a hard worker who knows the game very well.”

Meanwhile, the sophomore leader continued to produce at the plate, as competition shifted into the rugged West Catholic Athletic League, where she earned first-team all-league honors. She went 3-for-4 and homered in an 11-7 slugfest loss to Mitty, and practically carried the Wildcats to a 7-4 win over Presentation with a home run and five RBI. In back-to-back May contests against two of the other top programs in the league – Saint Francis and Valley Christian – McGuigan homered in both games to lead St. Ignatius to a pair of key victories.

As the year closed, McGuigan’s numbers sparkled, finishing the year with a .488 batting average to go with 13 home runs and 35 runs batted in.

For her efforts throughout the season, we are pleased to recognize Kelly McGuigan as our Central Coast Section Sophomore of the Year.

Other players considered include Mitty’s Diamond Holland, Notre Dame-Salinas’ Logan Riggenbach, Branham’s Ashley Donaldson, and North Salinas’ Sofia Gombos.

NOTE: We would like to thank our media partners, coaches, parents, players and fans for contributing photos for our all-section features. We salute all of the players that have made this a wonderful season of CCS baseball.