The seventh-seeded Michigan baseball team opened the Big Ten Tournament with a commanding 10-0 victory over tenth-seeded Rutgers at Charles Schwab Field in Omaha, Nebraska, on Tuesday.
The win snapped a four-game losing streak for the Wolverines and ended the game early via the seven-inning run-rule format.
>>> Ohio State Football Faces Historic 2026 Schedule and Extends Scholarship
Junior right-hander Cade Montgomery delivered a stellar outing, throwing 92 pitches over seven scoreless innings. He allowed only one hit, walked two, and struck out six batters.
Montgomery had not pitched more than three innings in an appearance since March, but his lengthy start preserved Michigan's bullpen and rotation for the next round.
Offensively, the Wolverines recorded 12 hits.
Brayden Jefferis started the scoring with a solo home run in the first inning, and Colby Turner added an RBI single in the second.
Drew Culbertson extended the lead to 4-0 in the fourth inning with a two-run single. Michigan then broke the game open with a six-run seventh inning.
Evan Haeger and Noah Miller hit back-to-back home runs on consecutive pitches to left field, pushing the score to 7-0.
Rutgers then walked in a run with the bases loaded before Turner drove in the final two runs with a single.
>>> Mississippi State, Florida, Arkansas, Auburn Reach SEC Baseball Quarterfinals
Turner, a first-team All-Big Ten selection, finished 3-for-5 with three RBIs. Dane Morrow also went 3-for-4 with two runs scored.
Seven different Michigan starters recorded hits and runs.
With the victory, Michigan improved to 33-22 overall and climbed to No. 47 in the RPI rankings, boosting its NCAA Tournament hopes.
Rutgers dropped to 26-29 and moved into the elimination bracket.
The Scarlet Knights will face either No. 6 Ohio State or No. 11 Washington in an elimination game on Wednesday at 2 p.
m. Eastern Time.
>>> Josh Allen Praises DJ Moore's Unique Skills and Quick Integration During OTAs
Michigan advances to face the winner of that same matchup on Wednesday at 9 p. m.
