Tyce Armstrong Ties NCAA Baseball Record in Baylor Debut
- WACO, Texas – Friday night at Baylor Ballpark witnessed a performance for the ages, as Baylor first baseman Tyce Armstrong etched his name into the NCAA record books...
- Armstrong, a redshirt senior transfer from Texas-Arlington, delivered a power display unlike anything seen in college baseball in decades.
- With Baylor already leading 1-0, Armstrong stepped to the plate and launched a 401-foot shot to left field, extending the lead to 5-0.
WACO, Texas – night at Baylor Ballpark witnessed a performance for the ages, as Baylor first baseman Tyce Armstrong etched his name into the NCAA record books with a historic three grand slam game against New Mexico State. The Bears cruised to a victory, but the scoreline barely tells the story of Armstrong’s extraordinary debut.
Armstrong, a redshirt senior transfer from Texas-Arlington, delivered a power display unlike anything seen in college baseball in decades. He joins Louisville’s Jim LaFountain as the only players in Division I baseball history to hit three grand slams in a single game. LaFountain accomplished the feat in , also hitting two of his three in the same inning against Western Kentucky.
“I’m speechless,” Armstrong said, according to ESPN. “It’s the coolest thing I’ve ever been a part of.”
The onslaught began in the bottom of the third inning. With Baylor already leading , Armstrong stepped to the plate and launched a shot to left field, extending the lead to . He wasn’t finished. In the fourth, he connected for another grand slam, this one traveling to left, pushing the Baylor advantage to .
Despite striking out in the sixth with runners on base, Armstrong was presented with one final opportunity to cement his place in history. After a series of walks, hit-by-pitches, and a fielder’s choice loaded the bases once more, Armstrong delivered. His third grand slam, a drive to left field, capped off the incredible night and triggered the run rule, ending the game in the seventh inning.
The performance was nothing short of remarkable, resulting in a staggering for Armstrong on the night. He went overall at the plate. All three home runs were hit to left field, demonstrating a focused and powerful approach.
The rarity of Armstrong’s achievement is underscored when viewed in the context of Major League Baseball. No MLB player has ever hit three grand slams in a single game. Only thirteen players in MLB history have hit two grand slams in a game, and the last to do so was Josh Willingham in .
Armstrong’s arrival at Baylor comes after three seasons at Texas-Arlington, where he established himself as a potent offensive threat, hitting home runs and driving in runs. His transfer adds significant power to the Baylor lineup, and his debut suggests he is poised for a breakout season.
The victory over New Mexico State marks the beginning of the college baseball season for Baylor. While it’s early days, Armstrong’s performance has already generated significant buzz and established him as a player to watch. The Bears will look to build on this momentum as they navigate a challenging schedule in the coming months.
Armstrong’s record-tying performance is a testament to his dedication and skill. It’s a moment that will be remembered in Baylor baseball history for years to come, and a reminder of the unpredictable and exciting nature of college sports. The historic night culminated in Armstrong being celebrated by his teammates outside the dugout, donning the team’s celebratory firefighter helmet.