Michigan vs. Washington

OMAHA, Neb. (Interstat) — The Big Ten Baseball Championship opens Wednesday with seed Michigan (33-22) facing seed Washington (23-31) at TD Ameritrade Park. First pitch is set for 7 p.m. CDT.

The Wolverines, who won two of three games against the Huskies in Ann Arbor last month, bring a potent offense that scored 10 runs in their tournament opener Tuesday. Michigan blanked Rutgers 10-0 behind a dominant start from right-hander Cade Montgomery, who threw seven innings of one-hit ball with six strikeouts. The Wolverines have won four of their last six games but were swept by Ohio State in their final regular-season series last weekend.

Washington enters the double-elimination tournament after taking two of three from the Buckeyes. The Huskies defeated Ohio State 8-6 on Tuesday, with right-hander Hayden Lewis working seven innings, scattering three earned runs while striking out six. Lewis pitched to a 1.69 ERA over his last two outings, both wins, and earned a victory against Michigan on April 26, allowing three earned runs in six innings with three strikeouts.

Michigan is expected to start Montgomery, who has not allowed an earned run in 10 2/3 innings across his last four appearances, all wins. The sophomore has surrendered only one hit over that stretch while striking out 11. Montgomery’s last earned run allowed came May 9 against Minnesota.

Lewis, a senior, has been Washington’s most consistent arm. He threw eight innings of two-run ball against Oregon on May 3 and has posted a 3.57 ERA over his last three starts. The Huskies have split their last 10 games and have lost four of their last six.

The head-to-head series in April saw Michigan take a 4-3 win and an 8-7 victory sandwiched around Washington’s 7-5 triumph. The Huskies have not beaten the Wolverines in a neutral-site game since 2019.

For Michigan, second baseman Colby Turner went 3 for 5 with three RBIs against Rutgers, and center fielder Evan Haeger hit a home run. Washington center fielder Mic Paul drove in three runs against Ohio State, and first baseman Casen Taggart homered.

The winner advances to face the top-seeded UCLA on Thursday. The loser falls into the elimination bracket.

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