MONROE, La. – Senior right-hander Tristan Stivors earned his 20th career save Friday night in No. 17 Texas State's (36-11, 18-4 Sun Belt) 5-4 come from behind victory over ULM (15-28-1, 6-15-1 Sun Belt) at Warhawk Field. Stivors' save set a new program record that had been held by Hunter Lemke since 2014.
 
"It is incredible! If you would have asked me my first year here if I would have gotten it by now, I would probably have said no," said Stivors. "It's an honor to have gotten 20 saves and break the school record, but all I'm focused on right now is tomorrow and getting the win."
   
"What that guy has done for us is unreal. We would not be where we are without him," said head coach Steven Trout. "Really proud of all the hard work he has put in the weight room and on the field to get where he is now. [Stivors] is one of the best in the country and I am glad to have him for a little bit longer."
 
Throwing 5.1 scoreless innings with five strikeouts out of the bullpen was Triston Dixon (8-0) to earn the win. Taking the loss was Carson Orton (1-1) after surrendering three runs in the top of the ninth.
 
While being held to just five hits, the Bobcats did draw eight walks with three coming from Isaiah Ortega-Jones. Jose Gonzalez and Peyton Lewis recorded two base knocks apiece on the night. The only other hit came off the bat of Daylan Pena, which was his seventh home run of the season.
 
The Warhawks struck first on a two-RBI single by Grant Schulz.
 
A solo homer to right center off the bat of Pena cut the deficit in half in the second.
However, ULM answered back with a run in the bottom of the frame to lead 3-1.
 
Dalton Shuffield drew a two out walk and Gonzalez followed by lacing a 1-2 pitch that just landed fair down the right field line for an RBI double to cut the deficit back to a run.
   
The Warhawks tacked on another run in the third to retake a two-run advantage.
 
Both teams put zeros up on the scoreboard for the next five innings. The top of the ninth began with Pena working a free pass. Lewis followed with a single just past the diving first baseman and Cameron Gibbons laid down a sacrifice bunt to move both runners into scoring position.
 
After four straight balls to Ortega-Jones to load the bases, Ben McClain hit a chopper that was misfielded by the pitcher to allow Pena to score and keep the bases juiced. Wesley Faison came to the plate and battled to eventually hit a deep fly ball to right that saw Kyle Atkinson, who came on as a pinch runner, to score and Ortega-Jones to move up to third.
   
Gonzalez hit a 1-1 offering that saw the second baseman make a diving stop by unable to make a throw to get the junior outfielder, which also allowed Ortega-Jones to cross home and put the Bobcats up 5-4.
   
Stivors came on and induced two fly outs and struck out Travis Washburn to wrap up the comeback victory.
 
The teams meet for the second game of the series on Saturday with first pitch scheduled for 2 p.m.
 
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