Armstrong Hits 3 Grand Slams as Baylor Boatraces New Mexico State on Opening Day, 15-2

WACO, Texas – Baylor baseball (1-0) opened its season with a decisive 15-2 run-rule victory over New Mexico State (0-1) in seven innings on Friday afternoon at Magnolia Field at Baylor Ballpark.

UT Arlington transfer first baseman Tyce Armstrong (RSr.) had a once-in-a-lifetime debut donning the Green and Gold, as he went 3-for-4 at the plate with three grand slams, becoming the second player in college baseball history to do so, joining Louisville’s Jim LaFountain (1976); Armstrong also tied the program record for home runs (3) in a game and broke the program record for RBIs in a game (12).

“I’m speechless,” Armstrong said after his special performance. “That was the coolest thing I’ve ever been a part of. Unreal. It’s a great feeling for sure. I’m hoping to keep it going, but this team is great. It’s the best team I’ve ever been a part of.”

Head coach Mitch Thompson added, “When he hit the second one, we’re in the dugout, going back-to-back innings, two grannies, has that ever happened at Baylor before? I said, ‘Well, Max [Calderone] is feverishly going through his notes to find out,’ and then he hit a third. I think it’s only happened one time in the history of college baseball. How cool is that? It was fun to see.”

Baylor out-hit New Mexico State in the contest, 9-to-3, five of which were extra-base hits. The Bears also collected 13 free passes while handing out just four. The other UTA transfer, third baseman Cade Dodson (So.), went 1-for-3 with two RBIs and two runs scored.

“We drew a bunch of walks; they helped us a bit and hit us a few times,” Thompson said. “But our guys battled and drew some nice walks. When you get 13 free base-runners to start a game, you’re going to have success offensively if you come up with big hits.”

After spending last season entirely in the bullpen, right-handed pitcher Lucas Davenport (RJr.) made the first start of his Division I career on Friday and tossed 4.2 scoreless frames, while fanning six Aggies on 75 pitches.

“I thought Davey got us a really nice first start,” Thompson said. “His arm is good. There’s good stuff there. He had pretty good command. He walked a few too many guys, and I know he would say that too, but for the first one, it was really good. We got him up to the pitch limit we wanted to get him out of the game at, and that’s what we did.”

The Bears got the scoring started in the third inning when center fielder Ty Johnson (5Sr.) laced a triple off the right field wall, and Dodson brought him home with a single through the right side.

Following back-to-back walks to load the bases, Armstrong clubbed his first grand slam of the afternoon 401 feet over the left field wall, giving the Bears the 5-0 lead.

The redshirt senior slugger outdid himself in the following frame. With the bases loaded, again, Armstrong crushed a meatball down the middle 408 feet over the left-field wall, extending Baylor’s lead to 9-0. Armstrong became the first Baylor player since Shea Langeliers in 2019 to total eight-plus RBIs in a single contest.

“That was special,” Davenport said of Armstrong’s performance. “Last year, we played him, and he tore us up at UTA. It’s good to see him on our side this year.”

Thompson raved about Armstrong, adding, “He’s got power — we knew he had power. He brings experience. He’s such a great kid. He works hard. He’s a good mentor to the young guys. Everything about it is good. To have that day is fantastic. Now what I want him to do is enjoy the heck out of the night, show back up tomorrow, and everyone not be disappointed when he hits a single tomorrow.”

Left-handed pitcher Mason Green (Jr.) pitched in relief of Davenport and surrendered two runs in 1.1 frames. Green has one of the highest ceilings of any pitcher on the roster, but missed the fall with an injury and is still getting back up to speed. 

Rowan-Gloucester transfer right-handed pitcher Zack Wallace (So.) replaced Green and tossed a scoreless inning of his own.

Left fielder Hunter Snow (RFr.) made his collegiate debut batting seventh and notched his first career hit in the second inning with a double to left field. In the fifth inning, he also robbed a homer with an athletic snag over the left field wall. He finished the contest 1-for-2 at the plate and drew two walks.

In the seventh inning, the Bears drew five straight free passes, with Dodson and shortstop Travis Sanders (RJr.) both earning RBIs. With the bases loaded, second baseman Pearson Riebock (So.) grounded into a fielder’s choice, setting the stage for Armstrong to get one final at-bat.

Facing a 2-0 count, Armstrong blistered a high fastball for his third grand slam of the game, becoming the second player in college baseball history to do so and breaking Baylor’s single-game RBI record in the process.

“It was a situation for it, but I wasn’t trying to do it; I just got the right pitch and didn’t try to do too much,” Armstrong said. “I’m always excited to hit. It was a cool situation to be a part of — coolest night of my life.”

Final: Baylor 15, New Mexico State 2 (7 Innings)

W: Lucas Davenport (1-0) L: Cooper Reese (0-1)

POTG: Tyce Armstrong (3-for-4; 3 Grand Slams; 12 RBIs; HBP)

What’s Next

As of right now, the Bears (1-0) are slated to continue their series against New Mexico State (0-1) on Saturday at 2 p.m. at Baylor Ballpark. There is strong potential for inclement weather tomorrow, however, and the series could conclude with a doubleheader on Sunday.