Baylor Blasts Past Houston 6–2 in Opener Behind Strong Showings from Davenport, Armstrong

HOUSTON – Baylor baseball (14-11, 3-4) collected its fifth consecutive win in series openers with a 6-2 victory over Houston (13-12, 1-6) on Friday night at Schroeder Park.

First baseman Tyce Armstrong (RSr.) led the Bears, going 3-for-4 at the plate with two home runs and a double; he finished with a game-high three RBIs. Baylor out-hit Houston, 8-to-5, with third baseman Cade Dodson (So.) being the only other Bear with multiple base knocks.

In his first start without a pitch limit this season, right-hander Lucas Davenport (RJr.) was outstanding for Baylor, punching out six Cougars and allowing one run in a career-long 5.1 innings.  

Relievers Charlie Atkinson (Jr.) and Caleb Bunch (5Sr.) combined for 3.2 solid frames out of the bullpen. Baylor’s pitching staff issued just two free passes on the night.

“We played good baseball and got a really well-pitched ballgame; Lucas Davenport went out there and gave us five-plus innings of really good stuff,” head coach Mitch Thompson told the Baylor Sports and Media Network post-game.

Thompson later added, “I couldn’t be happier with the pitching staff. We only gave them one or two free bases tonight, and that’s going to win you a lot of games and give you a chance. We played error-free baseball, and it was a good night.”

Following a leadoff double from right fielder Brady Janusek (Fr.) in the top of the fourth inning, the Bears got on the board when Armstrong tanked a two-run homer to right-center field.

Facing a two-strike count in the top of the sixth, second baseman Brytton Clements (RFr.) clubbed a double to right-center field, and catcher JJ Kennett (Jr.) was hit by a pitch to put two runners aboard.

Dodson came up clutch with a screeching RBI double past third base, and both Kennett and Dodson later came around to score on wild pitches. After a sluggish beginning to the season, Dodson has recorded multi-hit games in two of his last three starts in conference play.

The lone blemish on Davenport’s line came in the bottom of the sixth when Houston center fielder Tre Broussard (Jr.) beat out an infield single and was plated on an RBI single that narrowly beat the shift.

Outside of those two base knocks, the Cougars didn’t find much success against Davenport, who earned his second win of the season and tossed 96 pitches, a season-high after he was sidelined for two starts with soreness.

Armstrong sent a no-doubter, 438-foot solo shot over the left field wall in the seventh inning to pad Baylor’s lead, 6-1. Armstrong, the Houston area native, is the first Bear to reach double-digit home runs this season.

Final: Baylor 6, Houston 2

W: Lucas Davenport (2-0) L: Connor Udland (1-2)

POTG: Tyce Armstrong (3-for-4, 2 R, 3 H, 3 RBI, 2B, 2 HR)

What’s Next

The Bears (14-11, 3-4) will continue their series against Houston (13-12, 1-6) tomorrow at 1 p.m. on Saturday, March 28, at Schroeder Park. The game will be streamed on ESPN+.