WACO, Texas (Interstat) — Baylor scored eight runs to edge UCF 7-8 on Sunday afternoon at Baylor Ballpark, avoiding a three-game sweep in the Big 12 series.

The Bears improved to 26-25 overall, while the Knights fell to 29-19. UCF had won the first two games of the series by scores of 19-3 and 8-0.

Baylor rallied from an early four-run deficit, took the lead for good on a solo home run by catcher Brayden Buchanan in the seventh inning, then held off a bases-loaded threat in the ninth.

UCF struck first in the third inning. After a throwing error by second baseman Kade Riebock put Jordan Lodise on base, Andrew Calise walked. DeAmez Ross crushed a three-run homer, his third of the season, scoring Lodise and Calise. John Smith followed with his 12th home run of the year, a solo shot, giving the Knights a 4-0 lead.

Baylor answered in the bottom of the third. Tyce Armstrong hit his 22nd homer, a two-run blast that scored Cole Lanclos. Kael Janusek then homered, cutting the lead to 4-3.

In the fourth, Travis Sanders homered to left center, his sixth, scoring Lanclos again and putting Baylor ahead 5-4.

UCF tied the game in the fifth. Calise singled, Ross singled, and Smith drove in Calise with a single to left center. But Baylor reclaimed the lead in the bottom half. A passed ball scored Braxton Clements, and a sacrifice bunt by Lanclos brought home Hunter John, making it 7-5.

Lodise homered in the seventh, his third, pulling UCF within 7-6. But Buchanan answered with a solo shot to left center in the bottom of the seventh, his first of the season, restoring a two-run lead.

The Knights cut the margin to 8-7 in the eighth. Smith doubled, advanced on a wild pitch, and scored on a single by Nick Williamson. UCF put two runners on in the ninth with two outs, but pinch hitter Brooks struck out swinging to end the game.

Smith led the Knights, going 4 for 5 with a home run and two RBIs. Ross finished 2 for 5 with a homer and three RBIs. Lodise was 1 for 4 with a homer and an RBI.

For Baylor, Armstrong went 1 for 4 with a homer and two RBIs. Sanders was 1 for 5 with a homer and two RBIs. Buchanan added a homer and an RBI.

UCF starter Roman Kimball allowed three runs on one hit in 2 1/3 innings, striking out five. Anthony Lariz pitched 1 2/3 scoreless innings with two strikeouts. Evan Jones gave up one run in two innings, striking out two.

Baylor starter Ethan Calder worked six innings, allowing four earned runs on six hits with four strikeouts. The Bears used two relievers, with Gage Bunch earning the win.

Interstat’s game simulator projected a final score of UCF 7, Baylor 3, and its ELO system gave UCF a 59.70 percent probability to win.