VICTORIA � The UHV Jaguars baseball and softball teams met with several legendary Houston Astros Tuesday just days before the baseball team�s historic first games.

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The stop was part of the Astros Winter Caravan, and gave all the local athletes a chance to interact with the major leaguers.

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Speaking to the players were slugger Jeff Bagwell, former pitcher and present broadcaster Jim Deshaies, catcher J.R. Towles and assistant general manager Ricky Bennett.

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From Left: Former picture and current broadcaster Jim Deshaies, catcher J.R. Towles, former slugger Jeff Bagwell and assistant general manager Ricky Bennett pose with the UHV Jaguars baseball team.

Bagwell told the students to remember this tremendous time in their lives because the bonds they form now will last forever.

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From Left: Former Astros pitcher and current broadcaster Jim Deshaies, former slugger Jeff Bagwell, assistant general manager Ricky Bennett and catcher J.R. Towles pose with the UHV Jaguars softball team.

It wasn�t all that long ago that Bagwell himself was a college ball player.

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�It really is a special memory in my heart,� he said.

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The Jaguars will battle the Laredo Community College Palominos Saturday and Sunday at Riverside Stadium. Games start at 4 and 6 p.m. on Saturday, and 1 and 3 p.m. on Sunday. Tickets are $5 for general admission and $10 for reserved seating. Non-UHV students are admitted for $3 with a valid student ID. UHV students and employees are admitted free with a UHV ID.�