TROY, Ala. – The Texas State baseball team (14-17, 4-6 Sun Belt) claimed a series opening victory Friday night 4-2 over Troy at Riddle-Pace Field. The win is the first-ever for the Bobcats when playing the Trojans on the road.
 
Zachary Leigh (2-4) had another solid outing as he struck out four in 5.2 innings while giving up just two runs on five hits. Tristan Stivors pitched two scoreless innings with three strikeouts to earn his fifth save of the year. Taking the loss was Orlando Ortiz (2-4) as he surrendered three runs on five walks and four hits while also striking out seven.
 
Otto Wofford gave up just a hit in 1.1 innings with one strikeout.
 
Pacing the Bobcats with two hits on the night was Cameron Gibbons. With a double, eight of Jose Gonzalez's last 10 base knocks have been for extra-bases. Both Peyton Lewis and Justin Thompson hit home runs.
 
Gonzalez smacked a double down the left field line with one gone in the first. He moved to third on a wild pitch and scored a couple of pitches later on a passed ball to give the Bobcats a 1-0 advantage.
 
Leading off the third, Thompson hit a shot over the Monster wall in right for his fifth home run of the season and extend the lead to 2-0.
 
Cole Coffey drew a one-out walk in the sixth. He moved into scoring position as he swiped his second base of the season. Gibbons followed by lacing a 2-2 pitch through the left side to increase the advantage to three runs.
 
The Trojans got on the scoreboard in the bottom half of the inning. They plated two runs with one coming on a single and another from a bases loaded walk.
 
Called on to pinch hit in the top of the ninth, Lewis sent a 1-0 pitch over the Monster in right field to tack on an insurance run.
 
Game two of the series is scheduled to see first pitch at 4 p.m. on Saturday.
 
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