Michigan considered Game 1 of the College World Series a must-win game. It got exactly what it came for.

The Wolverines led for all nine innings in Saturday’s game against Texas Tech, finishing off the Red Raiders with a 5-3 final. Karl Kauffmann got the win for Michigan, throwing 101 pitches in seven innings of work. He allowed three runs on eight hits and had three strikeouts in the victory.

A sacrifice fly from Jordan Brewer in the top of the 1st inning gave Michigan a 1-0 advantage, and the Wolverines never looked back. They took their biggest lead of the game in the 3rd inning, thanks to a two-run triple from Jimmy Kerr. The next batter, Blake Nelson, added an RBI with a shot to left field.

Michigan had a 4-0 advantage by the end of the inning.

Texas Tech crawled their way back into the game, closing the gap to 4-3 in the bottom of the 6th. The Wolverines were able to get a little more breathing room in the top of the 7th, adding another run thanks to a hit from Nelson to make the score 5-3.

In the bottom of the 9th, Texas Tech was able to put two runners on base and threaten Michigan’s lead, but Jeff Criswell was able to punch out the final batter of the game, giving the program its first win in the College World Series since 1983.

Criswell got the save for the Wolverines, pitching two shutout innings in the win.

Michigan will play the winner of Florida State and Arkansas on Monday.