WACO, Texas (Interstat) — Baylor defeated Texas Tech 8-1 on Saturday afternoon in the first game of a Big 12 doubleheader at Baylor Ballpark, powered by a complete-game gem from right-hander Lucas Davenport and a balanced offensive attack.

Davenport struck out 11 batters and scattered four hits, allowing one earned run over nine innings. It was a sharp rebound for the Baylor ace, who lasted only six innings and surrendered six earned runs in a loss at Arizona State on April 24. The Bears improved to 25-21 overall, while the Red Raiders fell to 22-24.

Texas Tech struck first in the top of the first inning. Thompson singled through the right side and later scored on a wild pitch, giving the Red Raiders a 1-0 lead. But Baylor answered quickly in the bottom half. Travis Sanders doubled to left center, advanced to third on a groundout and scored on a groundout by Janusek to tie the game.

The Bears took the lead for good in the second inning. Johnson singled, moved to second on a single by Perez and scored on a single up the middle by Cole Lanclos. Baylor led 2-1.

Texas Tech threatened in the top of the third when Thompson was hit by a pitch and moved to second on a groundout, but Davenport struck out Garcia to end the inning.

Baylor added to its lead in the third inning when Tyce Armstrong crushed his 19th home run of the season, a solo shot to make it 3-1.

The game turned decisively in the fifth inning. Baylor put two runners on base with a walk and a single, then Armstrong delivered a double to center field, scoring Sanders. After a strikeout, Snow lifted a sacrifice fly to right field, scoring Riebock and advancing Armstrong to third on a throwing error by right fielder Connor Shouse. Baylor led 5-1.

The Red Raiders’ pitching staff struggled to contain the Bears. Starter Kaysen Raineri allowed five earned runs over five innings despite striking out two. Bryce Suiter and Jake Spindler each pitched an inning in relief, combining for two earned runs and two strikeouts.

Baylor padded its lead in the sixth inning. Johnson walked, Perez doubled and Riebock added a sacrifice fly to score Johnson. The Bears led 6-1.

In the eighth inning, Lanclos singled, stole second and scored on a single by Sanders. A fielding error on the play by Texas Tech’s Hughes allowed Sanders to advance to second. Sanders stole third and scored on another sacrifice fly by Riebock, making it 8-1.

Davenport retired the side in order in the ninth to seal the victory. Texas Tech grounded into two double plays and managed only four hits: a single by Thompson, a single by Quintanar, an RBI single by Shouse and a single by Lopez. Shouse drove in Texas Tech’s lone run.

Armstrong finished two for two with a home run, a double and two RBIs. Perez went two for four, Sanders two for three with two runs scored, and Lanclos two for four with an RBI. Baylor totaled 11 hits and three sacrifice flies.

The series continues with the second game of the doubleheader Saturday evening and a single game Sunday. Texas Tech next hosts Dallas Baptist on Tuesday, while Baylor travels to Texas State on Tuesday.

Interstat’s game simulator had projected a final score of Baylor 4, Texas Tech 2.