Head Coach: Eddie Serna, 12th season
Assistant Coach: Paul Medeles Jr., Israel Garcia, Zeke Lozano, J.J. Garcia,
Andy Noriega III, Omar Rivera
2009 Record: 15-19, District: 5-9
Career Record: 205-148
Schoolʼs District Titles: 1994, 2002
Bi-District Champions: 2000, 2006, 2007, 2009
Area Champions: 2007

Weslaco had a great finish to the 2009 season by, fi rst getting into the playoffs eliminating both Los Fresnos and San Benito in a play-in mini tournament. Second, by coming from behind to beat the district 31-5A champion PSJA Bears to gain their 4th bi-district championship in school history. The Panthers then lost to Eagle Pass in the Area round. With the experienced gained last season, the Panthers will look forward to having even more success with still a young team.

“Our team strengths will be pitching and defense and with the experience of competing against Eagle Pass in the Area round last year. Also, our team camaraderie is really good. The players like to be around each other,” said Coach Eddie Serna, beginning his 12th season with the Panthers.

The Panthers return eight players who received postseason honors. Aaron Burciaga (jr.), INF/OF, was a 1st team all-district and 2nd team all-valley last season. Burciaga hit .416 with 4 2B, 2 3B, 3 HR, 23 Runs, 15 SB, and 21 RBI. Tim Serna (sr.), P/INF, was the 32-5A Newcomer of the Year and is Coach Sernaʼs son. Serna was 6-4 with 4 complete games. Serna had an ERA of 1.40 in 59 innings with 48 strikeouts. AB Castro (jr.), 1B, was fi rst team all-district unanimous at DH. Castro hit .333 with 4 2B, 4 HR, 10 Runs, 1 SB, and 19 RBI last season. Matthew Cabrera (jr.), OF, was a 2nd team all-district OF selection last season. Jacob Torres (sr.), INF, honorable mention all-district in 2009 hit .324 with 4 2B, 1 3B, 15 Runs, and 12 RBI. Christian Torres (sr.), P/INF, is another honorable mention all-district selection in 2009. Christian hit .329 with 3 2B, 15 Runs, and 12 RBI last season. Jorge Bocanegra (soph.), C, was one of the best freshmen in the entire Rio Grande Valley last season. Bocanegra is very quick behind the plate and was also an honorable mention all-district selection in 2009. Kalen Vos (jr.), P/INF, was also honorable mention as a pitcher. Omar Gutierrez (sr.), P, was 1-1 on the mound with limited duty. Gutierrez will supply depth to the Panther rotation.

Former Panther players still playing baseball at the next level are: Carlo Cordova, a 2007 graduate, is currently playing baseball at Texas A&M International University in Laredo and Dylan DeLeon at McMurry University in Abilene.

“We must be more disciplined at the plate in order to force the defense to make plays, and we need to cut down on our strike outs at the plate,” said Coach Serna. Coach Serna has had the Weslaco program on a steady increase with his best team in 2007 going 28-8 with an Area Championship.

The Panthers will pursue the Lopez Lobos for the district championship. District 32-5A will be a very competitive district, so winning it will not be easy in 2010.

Tags: texas high school baseball, weslaco baseball