COLUMBUS, OH — On a sun-soaked Sunday afternoon in Columbus, with the crowd on its feet and the scarlet-and-gray faithful roaring in anticipation, freshman sensation Jack Parisien stepped into the batter’s box. The bases were loaded. Two outs. A full count. Michigan’s reliever had been painting the corners all inning, but Parisien wasn’t fazed. He saw the pitch — a hanging slider over the heart of the plate — and crushed it.

The sound off the bat was unmistakable. As the ball soared over the left field wall and landed deep in the bleachers, the fans erupted. Parisien didn’t just win the game — he punctuated a complete and total Buckeye takeover. Ohio State 9, Michigan 5. A grand slam that will live in rivalry lore.

The Buckeyes completed a three-game sweep over their archrivals, sending Michigan back to Ann Arbor with heavy hearts and bruised pride. And for Ohio State? It was more than a win — it was a statement.

The Rivalry Reignited

Ohio State versus Michigan isn’t just a football thing. In baseball, the rivalry runs just as deep — albeit quieter, and often overshadowed. But within the Big Ten baseball world, Buckeyes vs. Wolverines is circled on calendars the minute schedules are released. And when both programs are competitive — as they were coming into this series — it becomes must-watch ball.

This weekend series at Bill Davis Stadium was hyped up as one of the most important showdowns of the regular season. Both teams entered the matchup tied for second in the Big Ten standings, chasing Indiana for the top spot. For Ohio State, who started the season rocky but surged in April behind a potent offense and tightening bullpen, this was a defining moment. And define it they did — in three acts.

Friday: Statement Made

The series opened with Ohio State’s ace, junior right-hander Nolan Roberts, taking the mound. From the first pitch, he was locked in. Roberts tossed eight dominant innings, allowing just five hits and striking out 11. Michigan’s bats were silent, and when they did make contact, the Buckeyes’ infield — particularly sophomore shortstop Eli Martinez — cleaned everything up.

Offensively, Ohio State got rolling early. In the second inning, junior DH Trey Harris drove a 2-2 fastball deep to left for a solo home run, setting the tone. The Buckeyes added three more in the fifth, highlighted by a two-RBI double from catcher Carter Hill.

Saturday: The Slugfest

If Friday was a methodical beatdown, Saturday was chaos. A packed house showed up for the afternoon game, and they were treated to a back-and-forth affair that had everything: home runs, errors, gutsy baserunning, and bullpen heroics.

Ohio State jumped out to an early lead, going up 4-0 in the first three innings thanks to aggressive base-running and a towering homer from senior third baseman Josh Delgado. But Michigan responded with a five-run fourth, capitalizing on two defensive miscues and timely hits.

Trailing 7-5 in the eighth, Ohio State mounted the comeback. After loading the bases with one out, Parisien drew a walk to cut the deficit. Then, with the crowd on edge, Hill roped a single up the middle, scoring two and giving the Buckeyes an 8-7 lead they wouldn’t relinquish.

Closer Ryan Delgado shut the door in the ninth, pumping 95 MPH heat and striking out the side. Ohio State 9, Michigan 7.

Sunday: Parisien’s Moment

With the series already won, Sunday could’ve easily been a letdown game. But rivalry sweeps matter. And both teams treated this like Game 7.

Freshman lefty Marcus Young got the nod for Ohio State and delivered a gutsy performance through five innings. Michigan took an early 3-0 lead, but the Buckeyes clawed back, tying it at 4-4 by the sixth inning. Then, in the eighth, after Michigan reclaimed a narrow 5-4 advantage, Ohio State loaded the bases with two outs.

That’s when Parisien — a freshman with big league dreams — stepped to the plate.

The moment was heavy. Michigan brought in their top reliever, senior fireballer Jake Reinhart, who hadn’t allowed a home run all season. The count ran full. The crowd stood, collectively holding its breath.

And then — crack. No doubt. No question. Parisien’s grand slam instantly entered the annals of Buckeye baseball legend.

Parisien: The Breakout Star

Jack Parisien entered this season as an under-the-radar recruit from Dayton, Ohio, known for his plate discipline and quiet confidence. But after Sunday’s heroics, he’s now a campus icon.

Speaking after the game, Parisien stayed humble:

“I just wanted to put the bat on the ball. I didn’t try to do too much. When I saw it hanging, I just let it rip. To do it in front of the home fans, against that team… it means everything.”

His teammates mobbed him at home plate, lifting him into the air as fans chanted his name. Head Coach Andy Halter praised the young slugger:

“He’s got ice in his veins. That’s not just a big swing — that’s a season-defining moment. We’re proud of him.”

Parisien finished the series 5-for-11 with two home runs, 8 RBIs, and countless memories that will last a lifetime.

The Bigger Picture: Buckeyes Ascend in Big Ten Standings

With the sweep, Ohio State improves to 28-14 overall and 13-5 in Big Ten play, putting them in prime position for a top-two seed in the conference tournament. After a sluggish start to the season (they opened 2-6), the Buckeyes have gone on a tear in April, fueled by a combination of elite hitting, a lockdown bullpen, and exceptional coaching.

The team now boasts the second-best team ERA in the Big Ten and leads the conference in stolen bases — a clear reflection of their aggressive, high-pressure approach.

Coach Halter addressed the postseason implications:

“We knew this was a turning point series. We knew we needed to win it — but sweeping it? That sends a message.”

That message has been received loud and clear across the Big Ten: the Buckeyes are for real, and they aren’t backing down from anyone.

Michigan Left Searching for Answers

For Michigan, this weekend was a gut punch. Entering the series, they had won 9 of their last 10. But against the Buckeyes, their pitching unraveled, and defensive miscues proved costly.

Wolverines head coach Erik Bakich was candid in his post-game remarks:

“They outplayed us in every aspect. We didn’t execute when it mattered. Credit to them — that’s a tough team.”

The sweep drops Michigan to 11-7 in conference play and puts them in a dogfight for seeding in the Big Ten tourney. More concerning, perhaps, is the psychological edge Ohio State now owns in the rivalry — one that could carry over into postseason matchups.

A Weekend to Remember

As the sun set on Bill Davis Stadium and fans filtered out still buzzing from Parisien’s grand slam, there was a palpable sense that something special had just happened. Rivalries are built on moments — and this weekend delivered them in spades. From Nolan Roberts’ dominance on Friday to Saturday’s heart-pounding comeback and Sunday’s explosive finale, this was Ohio State baseball at its finest.

The Buckeyes didn’t just sweep Michigan. They owned the weekend, outplayed their biggest rival, and gave fans a series to remember.

And with Jack Parisien’s grand slam still echoing in the minds of those who witnessed it, one thing is clear:

This isn’t just a team on the rise. This is a team ready to make noise — and maybe, just maybe, write a championship story of their own.