WACO, Texas (Interstat) — Baylor defeated UCF 8-7 on Sunday evening at Baylor Ballpark in a Big 12 series finale. The Bears won despite being outhit 11-8.

UCF struck first, scoring four runs in the third inning on a three-run homer by DeAmez Ross and a solo shot by John Smith. Baylor answered with two home runs in the bottom of the third, a two-run blast by Tyce Armstrong and a solo homer by Janusek, cutting the lead to 7-3.

Travis Sanders homered for Baylor in the fourth, scoring two. UCF’s Smith singled home a run in the fifth to make it 7-5. Baylor tied the game in the fifth on a passed ball and a sacrifice bunt.

Jordan Lodise homered for UCF in the seventh to put the Knights ahead 7-7. In the bottom of the seventh, Baylor’s Brayden Buchanan homered to left center, giving the Bears an 8-7 lead. UCF added a run in the eighth on a single by Williamson, but Baylor held on.

Baylor starter Ethan Calder pitched six innings, allowing four earned runs on six hits with four strikeouts. UCF’s Anthony Lariz threw 1.2 scoreless innings. The win improved Baylor to 26-25 overall, while UCF dropped to 29-19.