Ohio State opened its weekend series against Michigan State (18-29, 10-18 Big Ten) on a high note, run-ruling the Spartans 15-5 in eight innings on Friday at Huntington Park, home of the Columbus Clippers, in front of a crowd of 2,319 fans. It marked the Buckeyes ‘ first-ever regular-season game hosted at Huntington Park.
With a strikeout of Michigan State outfielder Nick Williams in the first at-bat of the game, Ohio State sophomore pitcher Gavin Kuzniewski reached 100 career strikeouts. Kuzniewski (5-2) earned the win, striking out five batters and giving up just three earned runs in 6.0 innings.
After a scoreless opening inning, Ohio State got on the board first in the bottom of the second. First baseman Dane Harvey walked before third baseman Maddix Simpson hit a double to left-center field, scoring Harvey to give the Buckeyes an early 1-0 lead.
Immediately following, Ohio State catcher Mason Eckelman reached on a fielder’s choice. Second baseman Lee Ellis then laid down a sacrifice bunt, but reached first as Michigan State failed to tag out Eckelman in a close play at the plate, extending the Buckeyes’ lead to two. Ohio State increased its advantage to five on a three RBI-double from shortstop Henry Kaczmar that scored left fielder Alex Bemis, center fielder Miles Vandenheuvel and Ellis.
Michigan State added a run in the top of the fifth, though Ohio State quickly answered in the bottom of the inning. Right fielder Noah Furcht walked to begin the inning, before Harvey singled through the right side to put runners on first and third. Simpson was then hit by a pitch, loading the bases. Eckelman then singled to score Furcht and increase Ohio State’s lead to 6-1. Ellis then walked to score another run, before designated hitter Grant Mangrum reached on a fielder’s choice, scoring Simpson and extending the Buckeyes’ lead to seven.
The Spartans responded in the top of the sixth inning, scoring three runs on a three-run homer from outfielder Isaac Sturgess, cutting into Ohio State’s lead to 8-4.
But after Kaczmar doubled to right field in the bottom of the inning, Harvey sent a moon shot to center field for his 16th home run of the season, giving the Buckeyes a six-run advantage. Ohio State loaded the bags late in the inning, but left all three runners stranded.
In the top of the seventh, Michigan State’s Williams then scored on a throwing error by Mangrum to cut the Buckeyes’ lead to 10-5.
Vandenheuvel was hit by a pitch to open the bottom of the inning for the Buckeyes, before Kaczmar walked. After Vandenheuvel and Kaczmar stole bags, Furcht doubled down the right field line to score two and extend the Buckeyes’ lead to seven.
Ohio State loaded the bases in the bottom of the eighth, and consecutive hit-by-pitches to Henry Kaczmar and Noah Furcht extended the Buckeyes’ lead to 14-5. Furcht then sent a single to left field to clinch Ohio State’s 15-5 run rule in eight innings.
Harvey led all Buckeyes with three hits and the team’s lone homer. He was also tied with Vandenheuvel with three runs scored. Kaczmar had two hits, two runs and a game-high four RBIs.
Michigan State graduate JD Greeley (0-3) took the loss on the mound. He allowed seven earned runs, four hits and two walks in 4.1 innings.
Ohio State (25-21, 14-11 Big Ten) takes on the Spartans again on Saturday at 3 p.m. and Sunday at 1 p.m. as the Buckeyes return to Bill Davis Stadium for the remainder of the weekend.
