The Nebraska Cornhuskers claimed their second consecutive Big Ten Baseball Tournament title with a commanding 5-0 shutout victory over UCLA in the championship game. It marked the first shutout in a Big Ten title game since Maryland blanked Iowa in 2023, and solidified the Cornhuskers’ dominance as a powerhouse in the conference. Powered by stellar pitching and timely offense throughout the tournament, Nebraska continued its strong postseason tradition with poise and precision.
Nebraska’s championship run was highlighted by consistent production from both their pitching staff and lineup. In the title game, starter Brett Sears delivered a masterclass on the mound, throwing seven scoreless innings and striking out nine, while relievers closed the door without surrendering a hit. Offensively, Brice Matthews drove in two runs with a double in the third inning to give the Huskers early breathing room. The victory adds another banner to Nebraska’s growing resume and sets them up as a formidable threat heading into the NCAA Tournament.
In pool play, Rutgers came in as the No. 10 seed and managed an early statement win over No. 6 Indiana with a 5-2 upset, thanks to a three-home-run display that energized the Scarlet Knights’ dugout. However, their second game against No. 3 Iowa ended in a 4-3 loss, leaving all three Pool C teams at 1-1. Unfortunately for Rutgers, Iowa advanced based on seeding tiebreakers. Despite the early exit, Rutgers’ offensive spark was a silver lining in an otherwise brief appearance.
Penn State, seeded ninth, made noise in Pool D with a gutsy 5-3 win over No. 5 Washington and a thrilling 2-1 victory over No. 4 USC. Ryan DeSanto’s lockdown pitching and Nate Voss’s game-winning ninth-inning home run stood out as signature moments. Yet, despite going undefeated in pool play, the Nittany Lions did not advance due to the tournament’s seeding rules that favored higher-ranked teams. Their effort showcased the depth and resilience of the Penn State roster.
Ohio State, meanwhile, did not qualify for the tournament, falling outside the top 12 in the Big Ten regular season standings. It marked a disappointing end to the Buckeyes’ campaign, which was marred by inconsistent pitching and an offense that struggled in key conference matchups. The team will look to regroup in the offseason and bounce back with a stronger showing in 2026.