Head Coach: James McDaniel, 2nd season, 8th overall

Assistant Coaches: Octavio Oyervides, Ivan Luna

2009 Record: 8-16, District: 3-10

Career Record: 100-103

School’s District Titles: 1986, 1987, 1989, 1990, 1997

Coach McDaniel has been successful while at Laredo United

South and if the Mustangs are patient he will put the program back to being a

competitive program year in and year out. Coach McDaniel is in his 2nd season

as head coach at McAllen Memorial fi nishing in 6th place in 2009 with a 3-10

district record.

“Youth is probably our biggest strength right now,” said Coach

McDaniel. “We have a good number of young players with varsity experience

coming back this year,” added Coach McDaniel.

Rene Barrera (soph.), 3B/P, returns after hitting .375 with 6 2B, 3 3B,

1 HR, 19 Runs, 5 SB, and 17 RBI as a freshman. Barrera was also 3-4 on the

mound. Alex Pinete (sr.), P/3B, is the Mustangs top returning pitcher going 4-

4 last season. Jordan Boone (jr.), OF, and Jason Boone (jr.), 2B, both gained

valuable playing time as sophomores. Jordan hit .321 3 2B, 1 3B, 1 HR, 10

Runs, 3 SB, and 11 RBI last year. While Jason hit .289 with 2 2B, 3 3B, 17 Runs,

9 SB, and 10 RBI. Jorge Garza (sr.), C, is another returning .300 hitter. Garza hit

.364 with 10 2B, 1 3B, 5 HR, 15 Runs, 5 SB, and 22 RBI. Garza will add power to

the Mustang lineup. Sophomore Bryant Stites, OF, had a good freshman season

hitting .250 with 2 2B, 1 HR, 8 Runs, and 6 RBI.

Two other players fi gure to play large roles for the Mustangs this

season. Diego Jorge (jr.), SS, and Cole Zieglar (jr.), P, will get plenty of playing

time this season. Tony Montenegro OF and Chris Wilson OF will also play

important roles this season.

The Mustangs projected lineup will be in order. Diego Jorge (SS),

Jason Boone (2B), Rene Barrera (3B), Jorge Garza (1B), Bryant Stites (OF),

Jordan Leslie Boone (C), Tony Montenegro (OF), Alex Pinete (P), Chris Wilson

(OF).

“We all know that pitching is a very important part of the game of

baseball. With that being said, our pitching has to come through big for us this

year,” said Coach McDaniel.

The Mustangs are assisted by Octavio Oyervides and Ivan Luna. The

Mustangs are in an uphill battle this year, but as the year progresses, they will be

a very improved ballclub and could sneak up on the rest of the district.

Tags: Baseball, mcallen memorial mustangs, texas high school