Leopold breaks doubles record, Jags sweep Dallas Christian College on Terry Puhl Day

UHV senior Hayden Leopold will have his name etched in the school's record book forever.

The Columbus native hit a double in the fourth inning of Game 2 of Saturday's doubleheader with Dallas Christian College to break the career doubles record previously held by John Longoria (2010-12).

Leopold went 5-for-6 in the doubleheader to power the Jaguars to wins of 5-3 and 9-0 Saturday, and a sweep of the Crusaders as the team honored the university's first-ever coach and Houston Astros Hall of Famer Terry Puhl.

"It's definitely an honor," Leopold said. "I worked very hard for this. It's just such a great feeling to do it in this series, so early in the season, because it takes the pressure of the shoulders moving forward."

Leopold and Jean Michael Gonzalez each homered in Game 2, the first of the season for both.

Raul Lopez was 3-for-8 with an RBI on Saturday to extend his hit streak to five games. Hal Perez matched the team's best hitting streak this season (7) with a hit in Game 1 on Saturday.

Nine different players had hits for the Jaguars (13-6) in Game 2, including the first career hits for both Jackson Ulcak and Jake Plunkett.

Plunkett, a native of Cuero, recorded his first RBI with a single in the sixth inning to score courtesy runner Caeleb Steffen, who came on for Ulcak.

Richie Gill Jr was 2-for-2 with an RBI in Game 2. Daviel Camacho went 2-for-2 with a pair of RBIs in Game 1.

"JagBall is not just the starting nine," said head coach Jonathan Stavinoha. "Those guys worked their tails off to get that opportunity. They came in when their numbers were called and came up with some big hits. That feels great, but as a coach, it feels better to see each and every one of our guys get behind them to get those hits. Those guys grind all the time and don't always get rewarded. To see them come through right there was a great feeling to watch."

Julian Garcia (3-1) got the win in Game 1 with  while Jacob Baker improved to 4-0 on the mound in Game 2.

Baker went five scoreless innings, notching a career-high six strikeouts Saturday. Drew Bradbury and Carson McKenna each threw a scoreless inning of relief against the Crusaders (4-12)

"I can't say enough about Baker again," Stavinoha said. "He threw five strong innings. Then two lefties, Bradbury and McKenna, coming in and shutting the door. Feels good to be 4-0 on the weekend."

Prior to the game, UHV honored Puhl with a number retirement ceremony with a banner showing his No. 21 jersey on the centerfield wall at Riverside Stadium. UHV Director of Athletics Ashley Walyuchow and assistant coach Doug Heinold spoke in honor of Puhl, and Puhl addressed the crowd following the unveiling in centerfield.

Leopold, who was recruited by Puhl in 2019, was grateful to see his first head coach honored.

"I appreciate Terry so much," Leopold said. "Out of high school, I didn't have any offers. He gave me a chance to come into this program. It's a blessing we got to honor him today. It's such a special moment, not only for me but for UHV in general."

The Jaguars return to Riverside Stadium next week for a three-game Red River Athletic Conference series against Xavier (La.). The series kicks off with Military Appreciation Day on Saturday, March 9, at 6:30 p.m.