MCALLEN – The McAllen High School baseball team is loaded with talent this season. Coach Eliseo Pompa’s team boasts four division-one commits.

“I don’t think there’s any pressure on them,” said Pompa. “They’re good ball players. They play relaxed and basically that’s what I try to teach our kids.”

“The seniors, especially the commit ones like me, Rigo, Chris and Aaron, we’ve got to live up to the hype,” said senior first baseman/pitcher Abanny Garcia. “Got to step up with the pitching and the catching.”

Last year, McAllen went four rounds deep in the playoffs. The goal this year is to go farther. That’s something the team has never done under Coach Pompa.

“We should be comfortable out there,” said senior outfielder/pitcher Robbie Maldonado. “Our expectations stay the same. Nothing changes. Our goal is state and we’re going to do everything to get there.”

The Bulldogs believe their pitching will be a strong point. They have five returning starters.

“We feel that we’re going to do real good on the mound and our defense is going to help us when we’re on the mound,” said senior catcher/pitcher Nathan Quintanilla. “We’re going to work real hard on our defense and offense and get past the fourth round.”

The Bulldogs’ first game is three weeks away when they take part in the McAllen ISD tournament.