WACO, Texas (Interstat) — UCF scored eight runs in the first five innings and three pitchers combined for a shutout Friday night, beating Baylor 8-0 in a Big 12 game at Baylor Ballpark.

The Knights improved to 28-18, the Bears fell to 25-24.

Jordan Lodise hit a three-run homer in the second inning, his second of the season, scoring Javier Crespo and Landon Moran. In the fourth, DeAmez Ross singled through the right side for two RBIs, plating Crespo and Moran, and John Smith followed with a two-run single through the left side. JD Rogers added a sacrifice fly in the fifth.

UCF finished with 12 hits. Moran went 3 for 5. Ross and Smith each drove in two runs.

Mateo Gray started and pitched 4.1 hitless innings, striking out one. Max Murray tossed 2.1 hitless innings with five strikeouts, and Anthony Lariz closed with 2.1 hitless innings, fanning two. Baylor managed five hits but could not score.

Charlie Atkinson pitched three innings for Baylor, allowing four hits and no earned runs. Luke DeVasher and Cayden Baker also threw scoreless relief.

The teams meet again Saturday for the second game of the series.