Big Ten baseball: No. 1 seed Illinois goes down; Michigan walks it off against Iowa (2024)

Wednesday’s tournament play started with a major upset after No. 8 seed Penn State took down No. 1 seed Illinois. The Fighting Illini’s loss means the top two seeds will both look to keep their conference tournament hopes alive in the elimination bracket.

Two-seeded Nebraska lost big to Ohio State Tuesday night, 15-2.

The Nittany Lions scored early in the first inning from a sacrifice fly. Penn State pitcher Travis Luensmann kept batters guessing and ended his outing with seven strikeouts and only one earned run in five innings pitched.

PSU head coach Mike Gambino added that Luensmann wanted the chance to pitch Wednesday and earned the right to pitch on short rest.

“He did an unbelievable job today,” Gambino said. “When he's like that, that's the guy you want on the mound in a big spot.”

Illinois attempted to chip away at the deficit, but a two-run home run by Penn State’s Adam Cecere put the Nittany Lions up 5-2.

Penn State continued to pour it on with a three-run eighth inning as they secured the 8-4 upset over the top seed in the conference tournament. Cecere finished the game with a game-high three runs batted in.

This is the second time in the last four Big Ten baseball tournaments that the top two seeds have both lost their opening round matchup.

Penn State’s mentality behind the win

The journey to even reach the Big Ten Baseball Tournament was in doubt for Penn State.

The team sat at .500 before a sweep against Maryland to end the regular season earned them the final spot in the conference tournament. Gambino added the team always believed they would go to Maryland and win three games.

The mentality during this run for players like Cecere is simple.

“We’re staring right at the end of our baseball career potentially,” he said. “When we've been our best is when we're staring the end right in the eyes, and we have to get it done.”

The game was moved back a day after Tuesday's weather delays. Despite a matchup against the top seed and a schedule change, Cecere didn’t waver in his attitude toward who they play.

“I would just say whenever, wherever, whoever, and that’s it,” Cecere said.

Illinois playing for Coach Mark Allen

Despite Illinois’ defeat against Penn State, the Illini players reflected on what it means to keep fighting for pitching coach Mark Allen.

Allen took a health-related leave on March 22 after being diagnosed with cancer. The team has rallied around him en route to its Big Ten regular season title.

Illinois catcher Camden Janik emphasized how Allen has helped develop both on the field as a catcher and off the field in his faith.

“He’s always on our minds,” Janik said. “We’re going to go out and fight tomorrow for him.”

Coltin Quagliano echoed the same remarks about how Allen has helped him in his faith. Allen always makes sure to reach out to the team after every game.

“Coach Allen is one of a kind,” Quagliano said. “He’s one of those people that brings joy and sunshine to everybody when it comes to the ballpark.”

Michigan walks it off against Iowa in extra innings

Iowa’s pitching staff dominated all game long against Michigan. The low-scoring affair went to extra innings deadlocked at two runs apiece.

The Hawkeyes' stellar pitching finally faltered in the bottom of the tenth after a single and two walks loaded the bags. Michigan’s Mitch Voit drew a walk to seal the win and walk it off.

In the third straight meeting between the Iowa Hawkeyes and the Michigan Wolverines in the Big Ten baseball tournament, Michigan came out on top 3-2 Wednesday afternoon at Schwab Field.

“Really tough loss,” said Rick Heller, Iowa’s baseball head coach. “We just couldn’t get it going offensively.”

UI struck first in the top of the second. Ben Wilmes laid down a bunt to get on base. Michael Seegers smashed a hit to deep left-center field for a runs batted in double to put the Hawkeyes up 1-0.

Michigan loaded the bases in the bottom of the sixth with no outs. Iowa got the next two batters out before two miscues surrendered the lead.

Hawkeyes pitcher Brody Brecht threw a wild pitch. Catcher Cade Moss attempted to gather it and toss it home to Brecht, but the ball flew toward the third base dugout, allowing two runs to score. Michigan grounded out to end the sixth inning with a 2-1 lead.

“I just yanked it a little too much,” Brecht said. “Definitely wish I could have it back but can’t judge it now.”

Iowa’s Will Muflur drew a walk to open the seventh. Wilmes knocked in an RBI double to tie the game at two runs apiece.

Brecht remained on the mound heading into the bottom of the eighth but left after he allowed a single. He finished his day with 10 strikeouts and allowed just four hits and one earned run in 7 1/3 innings pitched. He tossed 113 pitches.

The game headed to extra innings after both teams failed to muster the winning run in the ninth.

Iowa nearly scored in the tenth. With Iowa’s Raider Tello on first, Davis Cop hit a double. Tello rounded third, but the throw home from left field beat him, and he was tagged out.

Michigan walked it off after UI pitcher Jack Young walked three straight hitters, including one with the bases loaded in the bottom of the tenth.

Iowa (31-23) will play Illinois Thursday morning in the elimination bracket. Michigan (32-26) will play Penn State Thursday afternoon.