Omaha, Neb. — Jesse Franklin hit a game-winning sacrifice fly to lift third-seeded Michigan past Iowa, 2-1, in 10 innings to open the Big Ten Tournament on Wednesday.
Franklin also homered for the Wolverines (33-19), who held the Hawkeyes to just one hit — and none after the second inning.
Michigan lost starting pitcher Tommy Henry in the second inning after he was hit in the throwing arm by a ball. But reliever Alec Rennard threw 5.2 innings of scoreless relief, and Franklin tied it up at 1-all in the fourth.
The Wolverines then loaded the bases in the 10th, and Franklin’s sacrifice to deep right field scored Christian Bullock easily.