Skip to main content
World Baseball Network
Join

UCLA, Penn State, and Iowa Clinch Semifinal Spots in Big Ten Tournament

Matt TallariniMay 23, 20256 MIN READ
UCLA, Penn State, and Iowa Clinch Semifinal Spots in Big Ten Tournament

Four games were played Thursday at the 2025 Big Ten Baseball Tournament in Omaha, including victories by Oregon, UCLA, Penn State, and Indiana. With only pool winners advancing, Thursday’s outcomes solidified semifinal berths for UCLA and Iowa, while teams like Oregon, Penn State, and Nebraska remain in contention for the remaining spots. Below is a recap of each matchup and what it means for the bracket moving forward.

Oregon Ducks 4, Michigan State Spartans 2 – Pool A

The Oregon Ducks used a two-run bottom of the seventh inning to break a 2-2 tie and edge past the Michigan State Spartans. 

Aroz Aroz delivered three hits and three RBI, including a clutch RBI single in the seventh.

Oregon reliever Simon Garcia earned the win, and closer Sam Mattox picked up the save. 

Despite scoring first and adding a run on an error in the top of the seventh, the Spartans were limited to four hits and stranded five.

UCLA Bruins 7, Michigan Wolverines 5 – Pool B

The UCLA Bruins rallied with three runs in the bottom of the eighth inning to stun the Michigan Wolverines 7-5.

Brady Brennan tripled in the go-ahead run and scored moments later on a single by Carlos Espinoza. 

Michigan had taken a 5-4 lead on solo homers by George Pace and Carlos Casillas but couldn’t hold it.

Reliever Nate Rissas got the win for UCLA, and Joey Souza earned the save.

Indiana Hoosiers 5, Iowa Hawkeyes 0 – Pool C

In what may have been their final game of the season, the Indiana Hoosiers played with emotion and precision, blanking the Iowa Hawkeyes 5-0 at Charles Schwab Field. Left fielder Devin Taylor crushed a three-run homer in the top of the third inning—his fourth straight game with a home run—and added an RBI single in the fourth to finish with four RBI.

Senior starter Connor Gilley delivered six scoreless innings, and reliever Jake Grable closed the door with three shutout frames to complete the combined five-hitter. Indiana drew nine walks and left 11 runners on base but never let Iowa threaten. Despite the shutout win, the Hoosiers’ postseason hopes now rest in the hands of the selection committee, as their RPI and earlier pool play loss may prevent advancement.

Taylor’s tear and the dugout energy suggested a team aware it may be saying goodbye.

Penn State Nittany Lions 2, USC Trojans 1 – Pool D

Catcher Nick Voss homered in the top of the ninth inning to give the Penn State Nittany Lions a late lead, and the bullpen held strong to seal a 2-1 win over the USC Trojans.

Voss finished with two hits and two runs scored, while center fielder Peyton Kling added three hits and a stolen base. 

The Nittany Lions used five pitchers in a bullpen game and stranded 12 USC baserunners. Bryce Dowd had two hits and drove in the Trojans’ only run.

The 2025 Big Ten Baseball Tournament began May 20 and runs through May 25 at Charles Schwab Field in Omaha, Nebraska.

All games are televised on Big Ten Network and streamable via the Fox Sports App with participating cable providers. This year’s field expanded to 12 teams, split into four pools — A, B, C and D — with only pool winners advancing to the semifinals on May 24. The championship game is set for Sunday, May 25.

Pool A includes Oregon, Nebraska and Michigan State. Pool B features UCLA, Michigan and Illinois. Pool C includes Iowa, Indiana and Rutgers. Pool D features USC, Washington and Penn State.

Tiebreakers follow seed-based advancement rules. Full seeding procedures are detailed here (PDF).

According to the Big Ten’s official tournament page, the 12-team tournament will determine the conference’s automatic berth to the NCAA Tournament. Oregon and UCLA shared the Big Ten regular-season title, with Oregon claiming the No. 1 seed via tiebreaker.

The NCAA Tournament Selection Show airs Monday, May 26, at 12 p.m. EDT on ESPNU.

Nebraska won the 2024 Big Ten Tournament, defeating Penn State 2-1 as the No. 2 seed. The Big Ten’s most successful programs in tournament history include Michigan, Ohio State and Minnesota, each with 10 titles. Indiana and Illinois have four each.

In the latest D1Baseball.com Top 25 rankings published May 19, Oregon is ranked No. 4 and UCLA is No. 13.

2025 Big Ten Baseball Tournament Schedule
All Game Start Times Are Eastern Daylight Time
Second Game of Each Session Will Begin Approximately 30 Minutes After the Conclusion of the First Game

Tuesday–Sunday, May 20–25
Charles Schwab Field – Omaha, Nebraska

Tuesday, May 20 – Opening Games
Game 1: No. 11 Illinois 6, No. 6 Michigan 5 – Final
Game 2: No. 10 Rutgers 5, No. 3 Indiana 2 – Final
Game 3: No. 8 Nebraska 5, No. 9 Michigan State 4 – Final

Wednesday, May 21 – Pool Play Begins
Game 4: No. 2 UCLA 8, No. 11 Illinois 6 – Final
Game 5: No. 9 Penn State 5, No. 5 Washington 3 – Final
Game 6: No. 4 Iowa 4, No. 10 Rutgers 3 – Final

Thursday, May 22 – Pool Play Continues
Game 7: No. 2 UCLA 7, No. 6 Michigan 5 – Final
Game 8: No. 9 Penn State 2, No. 4 USC 1 – Final
Game 9: No. 1 Oregon 4, No. 9 Michigan State 2 – Final
Game 10: No. 3 Indiana 5, No. 4 Iowa 0 – Final

Friday, May 23 – Pool Play Concludes
Game 11: No. 4 USC 6, No. 5 Washington 5 – Final
Game 12: No. 8 Nebraska vs. No. 1 Oregon – 6:00 p.m.

Semifinalists Clinched

No. 2 UCLA clinched Pool B after defeating Illinois and holding the highest seed in the group
No. 4 Iowa clinched Pool C due to head-to-head win over Rutgers and higher seed tiebreaker over Indiana

Saturday, May 24 – Semifinals
Game 13: Pool A Winner vs. Pool D Winner – 3:00 p.m.
Game 14: Pool B Winner (UCLA) vs. Pool C Winner (Iowa) – 7:00 p.m.

Sunday, May 25 – Championship Game
Game 15: Game 13 Winner vs. Game 14 Winner – 3:00 p.m.

 

Share this story
Member Discussion
Loading…
NCAA

Bet on baseball, worldwide. Polymarket runs the prediction markets behind WBN’s live odds — MLB, NPB, KBO, CPBL and more.

Join free ↗

18+ where permitted; availability varies by region. Prediction-market prices are for information only — not financial or betting advice. WBN may earn a referral reward when you join or trade on Polymarket through our links.

NewsScoresOddsShop