Tyce Armstrong Makes NCAA History with Three Grand Slams in Baylor’s Opening Day Rout
WACO, Texas - Opening Day doesn’t get much bigger than this. Baylor first baseman Tyce Armstrong didn’t just kick off the season - he rewrote the record books. The redshirt senior launched three grand slams in a single game, becoming just the second player in NCAA history to pull off the feat, as the Bears steamrolled New Mexico State 15-2 in a seven-inning run-rule win Friday night at Baylor Ballpark.
Armstrong’s monster performance wasn’t just historic - it was the kind of night that instantly becomes legend. His three home runs tied the Baylor program record, and his 12 RBIs shattered the previous mark of 11 set by Shea Langeliers in 2019. Put simply, it was one of the most dominant individual displays college baseball has ever seen.
And the best part? Armstrong did it all in just three swings.
A Grand Slam Hat Trick
The fireworks started in the third inning. With the game scoreless, fifth-year senior Ty Johnson got things going with a leadoff triple off the right-field wall.
Sophomore infielder Cade Dodson followed with an RBI single, and after two straight walks, the bases were loaded for Armstrong. He didn’t miss.
One swing later, the ball was soaring out of the yard and Baylor had a 5-0 lead.
An inning later, déjà vu. After a single and two hit batters, Armstrong stepped in again with the bases juiced.
Two outs. One ball, no strikes.
Bang - another grand slam, this one pushing the lead to 9-0.
And just when it looked like the Bears might coast to the finish, Armstrong put the exclamation point on the night. In the seventh, with Baylor already up 11-2 and the bases loaded for a third time, he uncorked a laser over the left-field wall for his third grand slam of the game.
A 15-2 final. A run-rule win.
A night for the history books.
“I’m speechless,” Armstrong said postgame. “That was the coolest thing I’ve ever been a part of.
I just stuck to my approach - planned on hitting the fastball hard. This team is great.
Best team I’ve ever been a part of. Coolest night of my life, for sure.”
Dominance on the Mound, Too
While Armstrong’s bat stole the headlines, Baylor’s pitching staff quietly put together a strong Opening Day showing of its own. Redshirt junior right-hander Lucas Davenport got the start and earned his first career Division I win, tossing 4.2 scoreless innings with six strikeouts. He allowed just two hits and three walks across 75 efficient pitches.
“I think it went well,” Davenport said. “There are definitely a couple things to improve on, but overall I’ll take it.
The changeup, sweeper, fastball - everything was working today. Just gotta keep building.”
Junior lefty Mason Green and sophomore right-hander Zack Wallace combined for four more strikeouts to give Baylor 10 on the night - the 17th time under pitching coach Sean Snedeker the staff has hit double digits in punchouts.
Offensive Depth on Display
Armstrong may have been the star, but he wasn’t alone in getting the Bears’ offense rolling. Every Baylor starter reached base at least once, and seven different players scored, including six who crossed the plate multiple times.
Dodson, making his Baylor debut, drove in two runs and scored twice. Redshirt junior Travis Sanders worked a bases-loaded walk and extended his on-base streak to six games dating back to last season. JJ Kennett, Hunter Snow, and Ty Johnson also contributed, with Johnson lacing his fifth career triple and Snow picking up his first collegiate hit - a double.
In all, six players made their Baylor debuts, including three freshmen (Clements, Janusek, Snow) who notched their first collegiate appearances.
A Statement Start
With the win, Baylor improves to 67-37 all-time on Opening Day and has now won seven of its last 11 season openers. The Bears also move to 3-2 all-time against New Mexico State.
Head coach Mitch Thompson had high praise for Armstrong’s performance - and for the leadership he brings to the team.
“He’s got power. We knew he had power,” Thompson said.
“He brings experience, he’s a great kid, works hard, mentors the young guys - everything about it is good. And then to have that kind of day?
It’s fantastic. I want him to enjoy the heck out of it tonight, and then show up tomorrow ready to go.
But man, it was fun to watch those balls jump out of here.”
What’s Next
Baylor (1-0) and New Mexico State (0-1) are back at it Saturday for Game 2 of the three-game series. First pitch is set for 2 p.m. at Baylor Ballpark.
After a night like this, the bar is set high - but in Waco, the Bears just might be getting started.