Baylor Baseball Starts Hot, Tyce Armstrong Makes History Ahead of Texas State Showdown
Baylor Baseball couldn’t have asked for a much better start to its 2026 campaign. After steamrolling New Mexico State in a three-game sweep to open the season, the Bears are riding high as they prepare to close out their season-opening homestand with a Tuesday night matchup against Texas State at Magnolia Field.
The Bears didn’t just win over the weekend - they dominated. Outscoring the Aggies 27-7 over three games, Baylor flexed both its offensive firepower and pitching depth, setting an early tone for what could be a promising season under head coach Mitch Thompson. That sweep marks the second straight year Baylor has opened the season with a clean three-game slate.
But let’s not bury the lede - Tyce Armstrong just etched his name into college baseball history.
Tyce Armstrong’s Grand Slam Showcase
Redshirt senior first baseman Tyce Armstrong delivered a performance for the ages on Opening Day, launching three grand slams in a single game - something only one other player in NCAA history has ever done. That’s not a typo.
Three grand slams. One game.
The only other player to pull that off? Louisville’s Jim LaFountain, way back in 1976.
Armstrong’s stat line from that game was jaw-dropping: three home runs, 12 RBIs - breaking the Baylor single-game RBI record previously held by Shea Langeliers (11 in 2019). And he wasn’t done. Armstrong added to his RBI total with a sac fly on Saturday and even got plunked with the bases loaded on Sunday, pushing his weekend total to a national-best 14 RBIs.
To no one’s surprise, Armstrong’s feat lit up social media and earned him a spot on MLB Network’s Hot Stove with Robert Flores and Harold Reynolds. It’s the kind of performance that doesn’t just make headlines - it becomes part of program lore.
Looking Ahead: Texas State Comes to Town
Next up is a familiar in-state foe. Baylor hosts Texas State on Tuesday night, and while the Bears have a 55-28 all-time record against the Bobcats, the recent history under Coach Thompson is split at 1-1. That includes last season’s lone midweek loss - a 6-2 defeat to Texas State in Waco.
Midweek games have generally been kind to Baylor under Thompson, though. The Bears went 11-1 in those matchups last season and are 27-11 overall in midweek contests during his tenure.
Tuesday night’s probable starter is right-hander Zack Wallace, who enters the game with a clean slate and a 0.00 ERA from last season. He’ll go up against Texas State’s Sam Hall, who posted a 5.40 ERA in 2025.
Round Rock Classic on Deck
After Tuesday, things get tougher - fast. Baylor heads to the Round Rock Classic at Dell Diamond, where they’ll face a pair of top-25 teams in No.
7 Oregon State and No. 18 Southern Miss, along with Purdue.
It's an early litmus test for a Baylor squad that’s still finding its identity but has already shown flashes of serious potential.
The Bears return 20 players from last year’s roster, including three position-player starters - Hunter Johnson, Kolby Sanders, and Kolby Riebock - but also welcome 17 newcomers. This is a young team, with 30 of the 37 players on the roster in either their first or second year in the program. That kind of youth brings energy - and unpredictability - but so far, the chemistry looks promising.
Opening Weekend Recap: Fast Starts and Strong Finishes
Baylor wasted no time putting runs on the board this past weekend. In fact, the Bears have only scored in seven innings so far this season - but six of those innings featured three or more runs.
That includes a five-run first inning on Saturday and a three-run first on Sunday. When the Bears score, they score in bunches.
On the mound, Friday’s starter Lucas Davenport turned in a strong debut, tossing 4.2 scoreless innings with six strikeouts. Saturday’s 5-2 win was fueled by back-to-back home runs from John Youens and Brady Janusek - the first career long balls for both.
And in Sunday’s finale, the bullpen took over. The trio of Cayden Baker, RJ Ruais, and Luke DeVasher combined for 2.2 perfect innings, helping Baylor pull away late for a 7-3 win.
Tuesday Night Details
First pitch against Texas State is set for 6:30 p.m. CT at Baylor Ballpark.
Fans can catch the action live on ESPN+, or tune in to Kicker Country 99.3 FM/1590 AM for the radio call with Tom Barfield and former Bear Richard Cunningham. The ESPN+ broadcast will simulcast the radio feed.
If the opening weekend was any indication, this Baylor team is going to be a lot of fun to watch. They’ve got power, depth, and a little bit of history-making magic - and we’re only one series in.