There are no days off for Tanque Verde High School senior Rocco Haggard.
The 18-year-old, who was named after his grandfather, is a three-sport athlete — leading the Hawks as Tanque Verde’s quarterback in the fall, hooping up on the court in the winter, followed by hitting the diamond in the spring.
He is constantly firing on all cylinders. And now his passion, energy and efforts have taken Tanque Verde sports to new heights.
This season, Haggard, a pitcher and utility player, leads the varsity baseball team in runs (28), hits (31) and doubles (13). He also leads in on-base percentage (0.636) and slugging percentage (1.052). His career ERA is 2.88.
Plus, he’s only two away from leading the team in home runs.
Rocco Haggard, a pitcher on the Tanque Verde High School baseball team, gets ready to release the ball in the second inning of a game against Pusch Ridge at Tanque Verde High School on April 2. Haggard is a varsity baseball, basketball and football player at Tanque Verde.
Haggard isn’t the only Hawk putting up serious numbers this season, either. The Tanque Verde baseball team currently sits atop the 3A conference standings, ahead of 12 Tucson-area high schools.
“We were blessed to be ranked No. 1,” Haggard says. “So that's pretty awesome. Now we've got a big target on our back, so we've got to play well and try to conserve that No. 1 spot.”
To say that this Tanque Verde Hawks team is special would be an understatement, so we’ll let their accomplishments speak for themselves.
Last year, the team did something it hadn’t accomplished in nearly a decade: Took down Pusch Ridge Christian Academy, 3-1.
Haggard calls the moment one of his favorite baseball memories.
Rocco Haggard, a pitcher on the Tanque Verde High School baseball team, eyes the ball in the first inning during a game against Pusch Ridge at Tanque Verde High School on April 2. Haggard is a varsity baseball, basketball and football player at Tanque Verde.
“We've never beat them before. I was pitching that game and I probably pitched my best game, and we finally beat them,” he says, adding, “So, that was really good to get over that hump and be a big part of that win. It was really exciting. That was also to win the region. So those were two big things that happened right there in the moment. And all the guys kind of huddled around the mound and we’re all excited. It was awesome.”
The Hawks ran it back again this year, beating the Lions 9-7 on April 2, taking down Pusch Ridge for the second year in a row.
Ahead of the game, Haggard says he felt good about facing Pusch Ridge once again.
“We'll rematch, but I think we got the team to beat them again and confidently,” he says.
His goal this season is to make a run in the state tournament, which will be held later this spring. It would be the first postseason run for the Hawks since the 2023-24 season.
Haggard is no stranger to postseason stress. He took Tanque Verde on a deep run to the semifinals in the state football tournament last season, and would love to have that experience with his baseball teammates.
“Love these guys, we’re hoping to make a state run, which I think, honestly, this is probably the best team we've had in the four years I've been here,” Haggard says. “I feel like we could go pretty far and do something special.”
The Hawks have eight games left in the regular season. As of press time, they are 13-4 overall and 10-0 in AIA rankings.
Rocco Haggard (14), a pitcher on the Tanque Verde High School baseball team, stands on the mound and talks with a coach in the first inning during a game against Pusch Ridge at Tanque Verde High School on April 2. Haggard is a varsity baseball, basketball and football player at Tanque Verde.
“Hopefully we can make it to the top and then it'll be even better,” he says. “But it's gonna be sad not to be able to play with these guys again, or even step on one of these fields again. So there's good to it and there's also sad to it.”
Leading the flock
It wasn’t a surprise to anyone in his family when Haggard began playing baseball when he was a kid.
For the Haggards, it’s all in the family. His dad, Chris, used to play baseball in high school and collegiately, even playing for the University of Arizona at one point.
“I feel like I've always loved to compete, played a lot of sports, played sports my whole life,” Haggard says. “I mean, there's times when you're struggling, you don't like the game as much. But when you’re playing well, it's really fun, so you've got to get to the point where you're doing well, so that you're having fun.”
When Haggard isn’t in school, most of his time is spent on sports. He estimates spending close to 20 hours a week on sports practices and games.
That hard work doesn’t go unrecognized by his teammates and coaches.
“He’s smart, he’s intelligent,” says head coach Tom Belter. “It’s been a joy watching Rocco and the other seniors on the team over the four years. I would like to see him get some opportunities (to play collegiate sports).”
Belter calls Haggard a team leader.
Just in the last academic year, Haggard has received multiple awards for his leadership and actions on the field, including 3A South Region Player of the Year for baseball, 2A South Region Offensive Player of the Year for football and was named to 3A South’s All-Region First Team for basketball. All in addition to keeping a 4.0 GPA.
When he’s not racking up accolades, he enjoys watching Chicago Cubs games with his family or going to In-N-Out Burger with his friends and ordering a 4x4 burger.
Although his high school sports career is nearing its end, Haggard is looking forward to what’s next.
He says he hasn’t figured out where exactly he’s going next, but he’s “trusting God’s plan.” He hopes to study sports management and have a career in that field.
“Last year, I just realized this is just a fun game, and I need to have fun,” Haggard says. “And that just having fun translated to playing well. So I realize I can't be so serious all the time. You just have to have fun with it and it's gonna help you out a lot. …
“It's been a dream playing, so I’m trying to honor that dream and go as far as baseball will take me.”
Fast Five with Rocco
Who is your all-time favorite baseball player?
Anthony Rizzo. I just feel like he's a great baseball player and an even better human and the struggles he's gone through. He had to overcome cancer, and he beat it, and then all that he does for the community, and he just seems like a great guy, and he's a great baseball player.
What is your dream MLB stadium to play at?
It's gotta be Wrigley Field. It’s a historic stadium. I've been there multiple times, so that's what I've grown up watching the Cubs players playing there. That's the dream.
If you could sign an athletic brand deal with any brand, what brand would it be?
It's probably a basic answer, but Nike. All of their stuff fits well and looks good.
What is a part of your pre-game ritual?
I listen to music. I’m a country music fan, so I listened to Luke Combs' new album recently. So those songs are pretty good. (He also likes to listen to Gary Allan and Merle Haggard, a little homage to his last name.)
What is your current favorite class in school?
Weights.
