Friday, April 17
Waco, Texas
6:30 PM
Baylor
22-15, 9-7
11
vs
4
TCU
22-15, 8-8
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | Runs R | Hits H | Errors E |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| TCU | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 7 | 2 |
| Baylor | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 5 | X | 11 | 12 | 1 |
BSB Downs TCU, 11-4, in Series Opener
4/17/2026 11:08:00 PM | Baseball
Bears collect victory over rival in front of largest crowd since 2017
WACO, Texas – In front of its largest crowd since 2017, Baylor baseball downed TCU, 11-4, on Friday night at Magnolia Field at Baylor Ballpark in Waco, claiming its first win over the Horned Frogs at home since 2022.
BU (22-15, 9-7 Big 12) used a 12-hit, 11-run performance and racked up 11 strikeouts on the mound to top the Frogs (22-15, 8-8 Big 12). The Bears scored in each of their final four offensive innings, including a five-spot in the bottom of the eighth, to seal the deal on the series-opening victory.
The win marked Baylor's fourth-straight come-from-behind win, as the Bears erased two early deficits of 1-0 and 3-1.
Redshirt junior infielder Travis Sanders and redshirt senior first baseman Tyce Armstrong led the way at the plate, combining for six hits and four RBIs on the night. Junior catcher JJ Kennett chipped in with two RBIs and sophomore infielder Pearson Riebock launched his first home run of the season to add to the offensive performance.
On the mound, redshirt junior right-hander Lucas Davenport collected his fourth win of the year after tossing a season-high seven innings and allowing four runs on seven hits. Fifth-year senior righty Caleb Bunch was nails in relief, earning his sixth save of 2026 after punching out all five batters he faced.
THE RUNDOWN
After a scoreless first inning, TCU tallied the game's first run with an RBI groundout in the top of the second inning. BU quickly responded with a single from Armstrong that set up a sacrifice fly from Kennett and tied the game, 1-1, through two innings.
Davenport put up another zero in the third, but TCU went back in front after plating two in the top of the fourth, including a solo home run. Baylor cut into the Frogs' lead with a trio of singles in the bottom of the fifth, including a run-scoring knock from Sanders that scored Kennett. An RBI groundout from freshman outfielder Brady Janusek brought in fellow freshman outfielder Bo Caraway to tie the game, then Armstrong gave BU the lead with an RBI single to plate Sanders and make it 4-3.
A pair of punchouts helped Davenport hold the visitors quiet in the sixth and brought the Bears back up to the plate with a chance to extend their lead. Once again, Sanders came through with an RBI base hit that pushed the scoreline to 5-3.
In the top of the seventh, TCU hit another solo home run to pull within one at 5-4, but that's as close as they would get as Baylor countered with another run of its own in the home half thanks to a bases-loaded walk.
The Bears broke it open in the eighth following a pair of relievers combining to strike out the side in the top of the frame. Junior southpaw RJ Ruais fanned the only Frog he faced before turning in over to Bunch, who struck out two on just six pitches. With the Bears back up to bat, Riebock kickstarted what would be a five-run frame with a solo home run, his first of the season. Then, an RBI single by Armstrong preceded a two-run sac bunt and TCU error which made it 10-4. Kennett put the cherry on top with an RBI groundout to cushion the lead at 11-4.
Bunch kept it rolling in the top of the ninth by fanning the side again, striking out all five batters that he faced on the night, and finishing off the series-opening victory for the Bears.
HIGHLIGHTS
• Tonight's attendance (3,505) marked Baylor Baseball's largest since April 14, 2017 (3,860 vs. Texas).
• Baylor improved to 153-138 all-time against TCU and picked up its second win against the Horned Frogs under fourth-year head coach Mitch Thompson.
• BU is now 10-4 against in-state rivals this season.
• This is BU's 10th come-from-behind victory of the season, and fourth in a row.
• Baylor is now 8-2 in series openers and improved to 7-1 in games when Lucas Davenport starts.
• This is BU's first win over TCU at home since March 20, 2022.
• The Bears stole three bases to move their season total to 68, their most through 37 games since at least 2003.
• This is the 18th time this season that BU has stolen two or more bases in a single game.
• Baylor racked up 12 hits for its 15th double-digit hitting performance of the year.
• BU recorded 11 strikeouts on the mound for its 11th double-figure strikeout effort of 2026.
• This is the ninth time that Baylor pitchers have allowed just one walk or less in a single game this year.
• Redshirt junior INF Travis Sanders logged his 15th multi-hit game of the season and seventh multi-RBI game of the year.
• Sophomore INF Pearson Riebock blasted his first home run of the season and fourth of his career.
• Riebock also extended his on-base streak to six games.
• Redshirt senior 1B Tyce Armstrong extended his season-high on-base streak to nine games.
• Armstrong logged his 10th multi-hit game of the season and produced his team-leading ninth multi-RBI game of the season.
• Freshman OF Dylan Perez extended his career-best on-base streak to seven games.
• Perez also garnered his third multi-hit game of the season.
• Junior C JJ Kennett notched his second multi-hit game of the season.
• Redshirt junior RHP Lucas Davenport made his seventh start of the 2026 campaign with five or more strikeouts, including each of his last six appearances.
• Davenport posted a career high of seven innings pitched.
• Junior LHP RJ Ruais made his 15th scoreless appearance of 2026.
• Fifth-year senior RHP Caleb Bunch earned his sixth save of the season.
• Bunch fanned all five batters he faced for his ninth multi-strikeout performance of the year.
• Bunch tallied his 14th scoreless outing of the season, including his ninth consecutive and 13th in his last 14 outings.
STAT OF THE DAY
11 – Baylor pitchers combined to strike out 11 Frogs and BU hitters combined to score 11 runs in the series-opening victory over TCU.
QUOTABLE
Head Coach Mitch Thompson
On the pitching performance…
"It all starts on the mound, and Lucas [Davenport] was good. It's a tough day to pitch. When that ball gets up there in the jet stream, it takes off pretty good. And you're facing a bunch of big, strong, physical dudes over there and they can get it going. But I thought he threw the ball well. And then our bullpen the last two innings was fantastic. That was fun to watch [Caleb] Bunch. When you get seven [innings from your starter] on Friday night, it helps you down the line, so It's great to have."
On tonight's atmosphere…
"That was an NCAA Regional feel. I've been in here, sat in this ballpark, watched it happen. That's what it felt like. We're facing our big-time rival from up the road, who has had tremendous success and has such a good program, and it's great to see all the people out. And we need them here. And I'm glad they got to go home happy tonight. We need them back the rest of the weekend."
Redshirt Junior INF Travis Sanders
On tonight's atmosphere…
"The atmosphere, everybody in this park, it was jumping. This is the first time I've been here in two years and felt that kind of crowd, that energy. I was low-key speechless at one point because it blew up and I was like, 'Man, this is awesome.' We know [Lucas] Davenport's gonna go out there and give us everything he has and we're gonna play behind him. And we know that TCU teams are always really good. We knew if we could come out and compete each pitch, and play good defense, we'd have a good shot of coming out on top."
Fifth-Year Senior RHP Caleb Bunch
On the feeling following the win…
"It's awesome. It's a ton of fun. This whole team, I've said it before and I'll say it again, we work so hard day in and day out for moments like that, just to win big ballgames. Friday nights, those mean the most. So going out and doing it feels really good."
WHAT'S NEXT
Baylor (22-15, 9-7 Big 12) and TCU (22-15, 8-8 Big 12) return for game two of the weekend series on Saturday, April 18, at 2 p.m. from Magnolia Field at Baylor Ballpark in Waco, with BU looking to clinch its first series win over the Horned Frogs since 2019.
To stay up to date on all things Baylor baseball, follow the team on its official Facebook, Twitter and Instagram accounts: @BaylorBaseball.
BU (22-15, 9-7 Big 12) used a 12-hit, 11-run performance and racked up 11 strikeouts on the mound to top the Frogs (22-15, 8-8 Big 12). The Bears scored in each of their final four offensive innings, including a five-spot in the bottom of the eighth, to seal the deal on the series-opening victory.
The win marked Baylor's fourth-straight come-from-behind win, as the Bears erased two early deficits of 1-0 and 3-1.
Redshirt junior infielder Travis Sanders and redshirt senior first baseman Tyce Armstrong led the way at the plate, combining for six hits and four RBIs on the night. Junior catcher JJ Kennett chipped in with two RBIs and sophomore infielder Pearson Riebock launched his first home run of the season to add to the offensive performance.
On the mound, redshirt junior right-hander Lucas Davenport collected his fourth win of the year after tossing a season-high seven innings and allowing four runs on seven hits. Fifth-year senior righty Caleb Bunch was nails in relief, earning his sixth save of 2026 after punching out all five batters he faced.
THE RUNDOWN
After a scoreless first inning, TCU tallied the game's first run with an RBI groundout in the top of the second inning. BU quickly responded with a single from Armstrong that set up a sacrifice fly from Kennett and tied the game, 1-1, through two innings.
Davenport put up another zero in the third, but TCU went back in front after plating two in the top of the fourth, including a solo home run. Baylor cut into the Frogs' lead with a trio of singles in the bottom of the fifth, including a run-scoring knock from Sanders that scored Kennett. An RBI groundout from freshman outfielder Brady Janusek brought in fellow freshman outfielder Bo Caraway to tie the game, then Armstrong gave BU the lead with an RBI single to plate Sanders and make it 4-3.
A pair of punchouts helped Davenport hold the visitors quiet in the sixth and brought the Bears back up to the plate with a chance to extend their lead. Once again, Sanders came through with an RBI base hit that pushed the scoreline to 5-3.
In the top of the seventh, TCU hit another solo home run to pull within one at 5-4, but that's as close as they would get as Baylor countered with another run of its own in the home half thanks to a bases-loaded walk.
The Bears broke it open in the eighth following a pair of relievers combining to strike out the side in the top of the frame. Junior southpaw RJ Ruais fanned the only Frog he faced before turning in over to Bunch, who struck out two on just six pitches. With the Bears back up to bat, Riebock kickstarted what would be a five-run frame with a solo home run, his first of the season. Then, an RBI single by Armstrong preceded a two-run sac bunt and TCU error which made it 10-4. Kennett put the cherry on top with an RBI groundout to cushion the lead at 11-4.
Bunch kept it rolling in the top of the ninth by fanning the side again, striking out all five batters that he faced on the night, and finishing off the series-opening victory for the Bears.
HIGHLIGHTS
• Tonight's attendance (3,505) marked Baylor Baseball's largest since April 14, 2017 (3,860 vs. Texas).
• Baylor improved to 153-138 all-time against TCU and picked up its second win against the Horned Frogs under fourth-year head coach Mitch Thompson.
• BU is now 10-4 against in-state rivals this season.
• This is BU's 10th come-from-behind victory of the season, and fourth in a row.
• Baylor is now 8-2 in series openers and improved to 7-1 in games when Lucas Davenport starts.
• This is BU's first win over TCU at home since March 20, 2022.
• The Bears stole three bases to move their season total to 68, their most through 37 games since at least 2003.
• This is the 18th time this season that BU has stolen two or more bases in a single game.
• Baylor racked up 12 hits for its 15th double-digit hitting performance of the year.
• BU recorded 11 strikeouts on the mound for its 11th double-figure strikeout effort of 2026.
• This is the ninth time that Baylor pitchers have allowed just one walk or less in a single game this year.
• Redshirt junior INF Travis Sanders logged his 15th multi-hit game of the season and seventh multi-RBI game of the year.
• Sophomore INF Pearson Riebock blasted his first home run of the season and fourth of his career.
• Riebock also extended his on-base streak to six games.
• Redshirt senior 1B Tyce Armstrong extended his season-high on-base streak to nine games.
• Armstrong logged his 10th multi-hit game of the season and produced his team-leading ninth multi-RBI game of the season.
• Freshman OF Dylan Perez extended his career-best on-base streak to seven games.
• Perez also garnered his third multi-hit game of the season.
• Junior C JJ Kennett notched his second multi-hit game of the season.
• Redshirt junior RHP Lucas Davenport made his seventh start of the 2026 campaign with five or more strikeouts, including each of his last six appearances.
• Davenport posted a career high of seven innings pitched.
• Junior LHP RJ Ruais made his 15th scoreless appearance of 2026.
• Fifth-year senior RHP Caleb Bunch earned his sixth save of the season.
• Bunch fanned all five batters he faced for his ninth multi-strikeout performance of the year.
• Bunch tallied his 14th scoreless outing of the season, including his ninth consecutive and 13th in his last 14 outings.
STAT OF THE DAY
11 – Baylor pitchers combined to strike out 11 Frogs and BU hitters combined to score 11 runs in the series-opening victory over TCU.
QUOTABLE
Head Coach Mitch Thompson
On the pitching performance…
"It all starts on the mound, and Lucas [Davenport] was good. It's a tough day to pitch. When that ball gets up there in the jet stream, it takes off pretty good. And you're facing a bunch of big, strong, physical dudes over there and they can get it going. But I thought he threw the ball well. And then our bullpen the last two innings was fantastic. That was fun to watch [Caleb] Bunch. When you get seven [innings from your starter] on Friday night, it helps you down the line, so It's great to have."
On tonight's atmosphere…
"That was an NCAA Regional feel. I've been in here, sat in this ballpark, watched it happen. That's what it felt like. We're facing our big-time rival from up the road, who has had tremendous success and has such a good program, and it's great to see all the people out. And we need them here. And I'm glad they got to go home happy tonight. We need them back the rest of the weekend."
Redshirt Junior INF Travis Sanders
On tonight's atmosphere…
"The atmosphere, everybody in this park, it was jumping. This is the first time I've been here in two years and felt that kind of crowd, that energy. I was low-key speechless at one point because it blew up and I was like, 'Man, this is awesome.' We know [Lucas] Davenport's gonna go out there and give us everything he has and we're gonna play behind him. And we know that TCU teams are always really good. We knew if we could come out and compete each pitch, and play good defense, we'd have a good shot of coming out on top."
Fifth-Year Senior RHP Caleb Bunch
On the feeling following the win…
"It's awesome. It's a ton of fun. This whole team, I've said it before and I'll say it again, we work so hard day in and day out for moments like that, just to win big ballgames. Friday nights, those mean the most. So going out and doing it feels really good."
WHAT'S NEXT
Baylor (22-15, 9-7 Big 12) and TCU (22-15, 8-8 Big 12) return for game two of the weekend series on Saturday, April 18, at 2 p.m. from Magnolia Field at Baylor Ballpark in Waco, with BU looking to clinch its first series win over the Horned Frogs since 2019.
To stay up to date on all things Baylor baseball, follow the team on its official Facebook, Twitter and Instagram accounts: @BaylorBaseball.
-BaylorBears.com-
Team Stats
Pitching:
W: Davenport, Lucas (4-1)
L: Baumler, Trever (1-3)
S: Bunch, Caleb (6)
Batting:
2B: Dallimore, Brady 1
3B: Dallimore, Brady 1
HR: Franco, Noah 1 ; Traeger, Nolan 1
RBI: Bell, Jack 1 ; Franco, Noah 1 ; Traeger, Nolan 2
Base Running:
RUNS: Franco, Noah 1 ; Traeger, Nolan 1 ; Dallimore, Brady 2
CS: Franco, Lucas 1
HBP: Brunson, Chase 1
Batting:
HR: Riebock, Pearson 1
RBI: Kennett, JJ 2 ; Riebock, Pearson 1 ; Sanders, Travis 2 ; Janusek, Brady 1 ; Armstrong, Tyce 2 ; Caraway, Bo 1
SH: Clements, Brytton 1 ; Kennett, JJ 1 ; Riebock, Pearson 1
SF: Kennett, JJ 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Perez, Dylan 1 ; Clements, Brytton 1 ; Kennett, JJ 1 ; Riebock, Pearson 1 ; Sanders, Travis 1 ; Janusek, Brady 1 ; Armstrong, Tyce 3 ; Caraway, Bo 1 ; Johnson, Ty 1
SB: Sanders, Travis 1 ; Janusek, Brady 1 ; Johnson, Ty 1
HBP: Johnson, Ty 1
Game Leaders
AB
5
R
1
H
3
RBI
2
AB
4
R
3
H
3
RBI
2
AB
4
R
1
H
2
RBI
0
AB
2
R
1
H
1
RBI
2
Players Mentioned
1B
/ Baseball
RHP
/ Baseball
OF
/ Baseball
RHP
/ Baseball
OF
/ BaseballC
/ BaseballOF
/ Baseball
INF/OF
/ Baseball
INF
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