Transferring to success

Mike Medrano admits he didn't know how well he was going to fit in when he transferred to Sharyland. His family moved from San Antonio before the school year for his father's job.

"My first couple of days on the team was weird," Medrano said. "I didn't know anyone. I was just really nervous."

Talent is the best way to gain acceptance. Medrano's pitching abilities earned him ace of the staff.

"I was really surprised because this was the first time I was on varsity," the sophomore said. "To make it as a sophomore was great."

Medrano was named The Monitor's All-Valley newcomer of the year after a solid season in which he finished 9-1. He had a 1.09 ERA, struck out 50 and walked only eight in 57 1/3 innings pitched.

"It was a great season," Medrano said. "I wish we could have gone further. I want to get better for next year."

Medrano is joined on the All-Valley superlative list by MVP Henry Garcia, who was dominant on the mound with an 8-2 record and a 0.47 ERA.

Rounding out the superlatives is the coach of the year, McAllen High's Eliseo Pompa. Pompa guided a young squad to the regional semifinals. The Bulldogs (26-15) were the last Rio Grande Valley team standing in the playoffs and are the season-ending No. 1 team despite finishing third in District 30-5A.

McHi advanced to the University Interscholastic League Sweet 16 for the third time in four years, losing two weeks ago to San Antonio Reagan in the teams' regional semifinal.

"It was very satisfying from the standpoint of how we finished the season," Pompa said. "Our younger kids really stepped up. The good thing about our young guys is that they got to get some of experience for the future."

After the team hit a lull early in the season, Pompa gave some of his younger players a larger role. One of those players was First-Team All-Valley outfielder Tim Ford, who in his first season on varsity hit .415 and brought in 32 runs.

Other key players on the team included Pompa's grandson, Omar, who batted .350 as a freshman and Armando Garza, who stepped in as the team's catcher also in his freshman season.

The Bulldogs were also able to lean on their sophomore standout, Alvaro Moreno. Moreno, the first team All-Valley shortstop, led the team in hitting (.418) and RBIs (39). Moreno (8-4) also teamed with junior James Franz (9-3) for a solid rotation.

"It is a positive to look forward to next season," Pompa said. "We have some experience. Hopefully, our kids will get stronger."

Joining Moreno and Ford on the All-Valley first team is senior catcher Eli De La Garza (.480, 14 doubles, 39 RBIs), who helped lead the Bobcats to the District 31-5A Championship and was named the league's MVP.

Another Bobcats player on the first team is junior first baseman Michael Kasprzynski (.379, 36 runs, three errors).

District 30-5A MVP Miguel Peña (10-2, 1.65 ERA, 95 strikeouts, 72 innings Pitched) is the first team pitcher. He is joined by Coyotes teammate Lupe Lopez (.420, 24 RBIs, four HRs), who enters as the designated hitter.

Sharyland had the most on the first team with four that includes junior second baseman Adam Peña (.527, 48 runs, 44 RBIs, five HRs), junior third baseman Marco Rodriguez (.489, 31 RBIs, 38 runs) and senior outfielders Omar Berrones (.488, 39, runs, 32 RBIs) and Andre Rodriguez (.379, 9 HRs, 39 RBIs).

Peter Rasmussen covers high school baseball for The Monitor. You can him at (956) 683-4448.

All-Valley Team

Most Valuable Player

Henry Garcia, sr., Brownsville Porter

Newcomer of the Year

Mike Medrano, fresh., Sharyland

Coach of the Year

Eliseo Pompa, McAllen High

First Team

Pitcher

Miguel Peña, jr., La Joya

First Base

Michael Kasprzynski, jr., Edinburg High

Second Base

Adam Peña, jr., Sharyland

Shortstop

Alvaro Moreno, soph., McAllen High

Third Base

Marco Rodriguez, jr., Sharyland

Catcher

Eli De La Garza, sr., Edinburg High

Outfield

Omar Berrones, jr., Sharyland; Andre Rodriguez, sr., Sharyland; Tim Ford, soph., McAllen High

Designated Hitter

Lupe Lopez, soph., La Joya

Second Team

Pitcher

Justin Anthony, jr., Edinburg High

First Base

Mike Martinez, PSJA Memorial

Second Base

Justin Granado, soph., Brownsville Lopez

Shortstop

Robert Mariscal, sr., La Joya

Third Base

John Rendon, sr., Edinburg High

Catcher

Rolando Garcia, soph., PSJA High

Outfield

David Martinez, sr., Weslaco High; Michael Barajas, sr., Edinburg High; Luis Munoz, Brownsville Lopez

Designated Hitter

Andrew Silva, Edinburg High