“BREAKING: Michigan baseball beats Ohio State in largest margin ever 23-1 and Ohio State then ducks playing the doubleheader ‘due to weather'”
Michigan Destroys Ohio State Baseball 23-1 in Record-Breaking Win; Second Game Postponed Amid Controversy Over Weather
Ann Arbor, MI – May 4, 2025
In a stunning display of dominance, the University of Michigan baseball team overwhelmed longtime rival Ohio State in a historic 23-1 rout on Saturday afternoon at Ray Fisher Stadium. The lopsided score marked the largest margin of victory ever for the Wolverines over the Buckeyes in their storied baseball rivalry — and what followed only added fuel to an already heated Big Ten feud.
Shortly after the blowout, the highly anticipated second game of the scheduled doubleheader was called off, with Ohio State citing concerns over incoming weather. However, the decision quickly became controversial, as many Michigan fans and observers accused the Buckeyes of dodging the rematch after being thoroughly humiliated in Game 1.
The official reason given? “Unplayable weather conditions.”
But the skies over Ann Arbor told a different story — with many noting that the weather remained calm, dry, and relatively sunny for hours after the decision was made.
A Win for the History Books
Michigan’s 23-1 triumph wasn’t just a win — it was an all-out demolition. From the first pitch, the Wolverines took control and never looked back. Their bats exploded with a relentless offensive barrage that left Ohio State’s pitching staff in disarray.
The Wolverines scored in nearly every inning, including back-to-back seven-run frames in the third and fourth. Junior slugger Ethan Donaldson led the charge with two home runs and six RBIs, while senior second baseman Marcus Velez went 4-for-5 with a double, a triple, and five runs scored.
Head Coach Tracy Smith, who took over the program two years ago, said it was one of the most complete performances he’s ever seen from a Michigan team.
“That’s what we train for. Every at-bat, every pitch, every inning — we brought intensity and execution,” Smith said postgame. “These guys played with pride today.”
On the mound, Michigan starter Colin Harwood turned in a gem, tossing six strong innings of one-run ball while striking out eight and walking just one. The bullpen took it from there, shutting the door without allowing another run.
Ohio State’s Collapse Raises Eyebrows
While Michigan celebrated a victory for the ages, things looked far different in the opposing dugout.
Ohio State, who entered the series with a modest 19–18 record and fighting for Big Ten tournament positioning, seemed completely overwhelmed. Their pitchers issued 10 walks, hit two batters, and surrendered five home runs. Defensive miscues only added to their nightmare outing, with two costly errors contributing to Michigan’s massive run total.
The Buckeyes’ lone run came in the fifth inning, thanks to a solo homer from designated hitter Connor Moore — a small blip in an otherwise disastrous game.
Following the loss, Ohio State coach Bill Mosiello gave a brief and tense statement.
“We didn’t compete. We’ve got to regroup and be better,” Mosiello said curtly. “It’s unacceptable, and we know that.”
However, any attempt at immediate redemption was halted by what came next — the cancellation of the second game of the day.
Doubleheader Drama: Weather or Excuse?
About 45 minutes after the conclusion of Game 1, an announcement came over the public address system: the second game of the doubleheader was being postponed due to “incoming weather” and concerns over field conditions.
To many in the stadium — and to viewers on social media — the move felt suspicious at best.
At the time of the announcement, the skies remained clear, with no rain on the radar for several miles. Winds were light, temperatures were mild, and there had been no warnings from the National Weather Service in the area. Even local meteorologists expressed confusion over the call.
Fans, especially Michigan supporters, quickly took to X (formerly Twitter) and Reddit, accusing Ohio State of backing out to avoid further embarrassment.
“We’ve seen Ohio State lose before. But ducking the second game like that? That’s a whole new low,” one fan wrote.
Others speculated that the Buckeyes were trying to buy time to regroup emotionally and mentally after the demoralizing defeat.
Even some players appeared frustrated. Michigan pitcher Trey Sanderson, who was scheduled to start Game 2, posted a cryptic message on social media that read: “We were ready. Some people weren’t.”
Rivalry Intensity Reaches New Level
The Michigan–Ohio State rivalry is one of the most iconic in all of college sports, with tensions often spilling beyond the football field into basketball, hockey, and now — baseball.
While the two programs have shared a competitive history on the diamond, rarely has the rivalry produced this level of drama in a single day.
Former Wolverine and MLB pitcher Rich Hill commented during the Big Ten Network’s broadcast that the decision to postpone the second game “raises questions,” and called on the conference to investigate whether the weather justification held any merit.
“If a team’s getting beat that bad and then pulls out of Game 2, we have to ask hard questions,” Hill said. “This isn’t just about one game. It’s about the integrity of competition.”
What Happens Next?
The postponed game is tentatively scheduled to be made up on Sunday, depending on field conditions and the revised weekend schedule. However, some insiders believe Ohio State may push to cancel the game entirely, citing the series’ original structure and player safety concerns.
Michigan, meanwhile, has shown no desire to back down. In fact, the Wolverines seem eager to get back on the field and prove the first win wasn’t a fluke.
Coach Smith made it clear:
“We’ll play anyone, any time. We were ready for two games today, and we’ll be ready again tomorrow.”
With the Big Ten standings tightening and emotions running high, the outcome of this series could impact not only postseason positioning but also the rivalry’s legacy moving forward.
Fanbase Reactions: From Laughter to Outrage
Michigan fans had no shortage of reactions to the day’s events. Many celebrated the record-setting win with humor, turning the scoreboard into memes and sharing videos from the student section chanting “We want more!”
Others, however, focused their attention on Ohio State’s decision to cancel the second game. Terms like “weathergate” and “Buckeye bailout” trended regionally on social media platforms.
In Columbus, even Ohio State fans expressed frustration, with some calling the cancellation “a bad look” for the program.
“It’s one thing to lose badly,” said Ohio native and OSU alumnus Kyle Simmons. “But not showing up for Game 2? That’s not the Buckeye way. We’re supposed to be tougher than that.”
Conclusion: A Game to Remember — And One That Wasn’t Played
In one of the most remarkable days in recent college baseball memory, Michigan sent a loud and clear message to both Ohio State and the rest of the Big Ten: the Wolverines are for real, and they’re not afraid of anyone.
While the scoreboard read 23-1, the numbers told only part of the story. The way Michigan dominated — and the way Ohio State responded — will be remembered for years to come.
As the rivalry continues to evolve, one thing is certain: the fire between these two programs is burning hotter than ever. And after Saturday’s blowout and the controversial cancellation, the next meeting can’t come soon enough.
