Prep pundits across the state regularly bemoan the lack of competition in Region IV. But such conversations stop when it comes to baseball: From the Capitol City to the Rio Grande Valley, quality teams abound. Here’s a quick glance at a few schools primed to wrest the regional crown from Westlake.

Pharr-San Juan-Alamo Bears

Record: 24-4

Regional champs if: Strength up the middle does indeed lead to titles. Seniors Danny Orozco and Edgar Cavazos have started at second base and shortstop, respectively, since their sophomore seasons and anchor a solid defense. Rolando Garcia will likely earn a second consecutive district MVP honor after a sterling season on the mound and at catcher. Those three players have led the Bears to 71 wins in the past three years.

McAllen Bulldogs

Record: 26-2-1

Regional champs if: The Bulldogs live up to their lofty No. 2 ranking in the latest Texas High School baseball Coaches Association poll. McHi boasts a potent offense that is hitting .424 as a team and averages 9.8 runs a game. Outfielder Tim Ford (.494, 32 RBIs), shortstop Alvaro Moreno (.464, 27 RBIs) and outfielder Alexis Garza (.443, 32 RBIs, 14 extra-base hits) anchor that attack. Moreno and Garza also earn the bulk of the innings on the mound.

Laredo United Longhorns

Record: 22-7

Regional champs if: United builds on its recent success. The Longhorns have become familiar foes for Westlake, having played the Chaps in each of the past two postseasons. United has won five consecutive 29-5A titles, and gifted southpaw Homero Ortiz can win a game from the mound or the plate. The junior ace also hit .452 with five HRs.

Corpus Christi Carroll Tigers

Record: 23-6

Regional champs if: The Tigers can coax some one-game series in the playoffs. The Tigers boast solid pitching spearheaded by Mark Blackmar, a lanky righty whose 92-mph fastball and wicked cutter make him a likely draft pick in this year’s MLB amateur draft. The strongest 5A team from the traditionally tough Coastal Bend region, Carroll seasoned itself in nondistrict play by competing in the rugged The Woodlands tournament.

San Antonio Churchill Chargers

Record: 25-6

Regional champs if: The Chargers stay hot in the playoffs. Churchill, the 26-5A champs, have won nine of its last 10 games while climbing to No. 1 in the San Antonio Express-News rankings. Pitchers Michael Kraft and Reed Kirksey have a combined 15-2 record and have given up a combined 20 earned runs all season. A salty defense backs them up; the Chargers have only allowed 15 runs in their past 11 games.

San Antonio Reagan Rattlers

Record: 27-6

Regional champs if: The Rattlers can recover their swing. Reagan traditionally boasts strong pitching and solid defense, but an unpredictable offense has been shut out in two of the Rattlers’ last five games. Sophomore Austin Hays anchors the lineup, and he may have to overcome his youth if the Rattlers hope to win the region. Texas A&M-Corpus Christi recruit Logan Nottebrok leads the team with a 7-1 record, and he shines at shortstop when not on the mound.

Westlake will face San Antonio Madison in a best-of-three Class 5A Region IV bidistrict series beginning Thursday at 7 p.m. at Blossom Athletic Center in San Antonio. Game two will take place at Westlake’s Woerner Field Friday at 7 p.m. A time and place for game three has not been determined, if needed.