Iowa rallies from 7-run deficit, advances to Big Ten title game

Iowa's baseball team rallied from an 8-1 deficit to beat Michigan 11-8 in the Big Ten Tournament consolation final on Saturday afternoon in Columbus, Ohio.

Iowa (30-27) advances to its first Big Ten title game since 1983 and only its second overall. Iowa will play top-seeded Minnesota in the Big Ten Tournament finale at around 6:30 tonight. If Iowa wins, the teams will play again on Sunday.

Iowa had lost 18-4 to Michigan on Thursday. Minnesota beat Michigan 4-3 in 11 innings on Friday in the championship bracket. Minnesota trailed 3-0 in the eighth inning of that game. Michigan, the No. 2 seed, now is eliminated.

Shortstop Kurt Lee had five hits, scored three runs and three RBIs for Iowa against Michigan. Zach Robertson gained the win in relief to improve to 8-3 overall. Center fielder Kurtis Muller has set the Big Ten Tournament record with six stolen bases thus far.

Minnesota, the Big Ten's regular-season champion, beat Iowa two of three in a series May 1 and May 2 in Iowa City.