Marin Catholic softball wins season opener over St. Ignatius

In Marin County, the season opened with a nail-biter. Marin Catholic High School edged St. Ignatius College Preparatory 10-9 on the road—a game packed with momentum shifts and standout plays, set against the backdrop of Kentfield, San Anselmo, and San Francisco’s Mission District.

This post breaks down the key moments and the players who sparked Marin County’s early-season surge. What could this result mean for Marin Catholic, St. Ignatius, and their Bay Area neighbors from Mill Valley to Novato?

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Table of Contents

Marin Catholic Opens Season with a Close-Run Win Over St. Ignatius

The January thriller played out on a chilly night. Marin Catholic traveled to St. Ignatius’ home field for a classic Bay Area showdown that finished with just a one-run margin.

The 10-9 scoreline says a lot about how tightly contested the game stayed from the first pitch in the Marin County foothills near Kentfield, through San Rafael, and into the Sunset District of San Francisco. This win also felt like a bit of payback for St. Ignatius’ 5-4 victory when the teams met in March 2025—just goes to show how quickly momentum can flip in early-season softball.

Marin Catholic’s offense came alive in waves. Thalia Morales smacked a triple and went 3-for-4 at the plate, adding a stolen base and two RBIs.

Morales’ speed and contact bat fueled late-inning rallies. The game saw leads traded back and forth across Marin County towns like Larkspur, Corte Madera, and Sausalito, and even across the Golden Gate corridor toward San Francisco.

Morgan Carlson chipped in with a strong on-base and run-scoring performance. She finished 2-for-4 with a double, three runs scored, a stolen base, and an RBI.

Carlson has now swiped at least one base in each of her last four games. That pace stretches back into last season and has coaches from Fairfax to Novato paying close attention—reliable base-running just isn’t easy to find.

Lyla Gonzalez also made her mark, going 1-for-3 with a triple, a run, and an RBI. The trio of Morales, Carlson, and Gonzalez gave Marin Catholic the kind of lineup depth that programs from San Rafael to Corte Madera crave when facing established teams like St. Ignatius.

The one-run margin and late-inning twists will stick with folks in Marin County baseball circles and softball parks from Mill Valley’s diamonds to the fields near Ross and Fairfax. The whole night just had that lingering energy—like people might still be talking about it over coffee or at the next practice.

MaxPreps game data provided the play-by-play. Families in Mill Valley and San Anselmo often talk about how a single swing or a stolen base can flip a season’s momentum as teams travel from Kentfield to Amador Valley and back through the Richmond-San Rafael Bridge corridor.

Key Performers and How They Shaped the Night

Thalia Morales — 3-for-4 with a triple, a stolen base, and two RBIs. Morales came up with the clutch hits that kept Marin Catholic in striking distance late, showing off the multi-tool ability fans expect from top players in Sausalito and Tiburon.
Morgan Carlson — 2-for-4 with a double, three runs scored, a stolen base, and one RBI. Carlson’s speed and plate discipline made scoring opportunities happen for Marin Catholic, sparking rallies across the Marin islands and down into the East Bay corridor.
Lyla Gonzalez — 1-for-3 with a triple, a run, and an RBI. Gonzalez’s hit fueled the late push that kept Marin Catholic close as the game shifted through the hills west of San Francisco and into the flatlands near Novato.

What’s Next: Amador Valley and South San Francisco Tilt

Looking ahead, Marin Catholic heads to Amador Valley in Pleasanton for a 4:00 p.m. game on Thursday. It’s a real Bay Area road test, with the Knights facing the Tri-Valley’s hills and that desert-like heat.

This late-season stretch could shape seeding and confidence back in Marin County’s softball circles. Meanwhile, St. Ignatius will host South San Francisco at 4:00 p.m. that same week.

That matchup might pull in fans from all over the North Bay—maybe even from Camp Meeker to Corte Madera. Folks are curious to see how each team adjusts after a game that almost summed up the Bay Area’s unpredictable spring schedule.

In Marin County, towns like San Rafael, San Anselmo, Novato, and Fairfax are watching closely. This two-day swing through the Bay Area is bound to impact how coaches set their lineups for those late-season showdowns at spots near the Mill Valley library fields or the soft dirt paths of Tiburon’s parks.

Here is the source article for this story: Softball Recap: Marin Catholic Starts off Right with Win over St. Ignatius College Preparatory

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Joe Harris is the founder of MarinCountyVisitor.com, a comprehensive online resource inspired by his passion for Marin County's natural beauty, diverse communities, and rich cultural offerings. Combining his love for exploration with his intimate local knowledge, Joe curates an authentic guide to the area featuring guides on Marin County Cities, Things to Do, and Places to Stay. Follow Joe on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.