The Ohio State baseball team took early control of its series-opening game with Michigan Friday, scoring three first-inning runs on its way to a 7-2 win at Bill Davis Stadium in Columbus, Ohio.

The teams started the game tied for third place in the Big Ten standings.

"Our guys were ready to play today," Buckeyes coach Greg Beals told OhioStateBuckeyes.com. "You could sense that. It was Michigan. Nothing more needs to be said. The guys were excited to play."

Ohio State’s Josh Dezse hit a three-run home run off Michigan (13-26, 6-7) starter Bobby Brosnahan (Pioneer) for an early 3-1 lead.

Dezse (four RBIs), Ryan Cypret (three runs) and Tyler Engle had two hits apiece for Ohio State (17-18, 7-6). The Buckeyes’ starting pitcher, Drew Rucinski (5-1), allowed six hits and one earned run through 6 2/3 innings.

Brosnahan fell to 1-8 after allowing five hits and four runs in 2 2/3 innings. (Boxscore)

Due to expected rain on Sunday, the teams will play a doubleheader beginning at 3:05 p.m. Saturday.

MORE BASEBALL Eastern Michigan 13, Ball State 1: Zack Leonard (three RBIs) and Brent Ohrman (three runs) had three hits apiece as the Eagles won their seventh straight game. Senior left-hander Robert Wendzicki earned the win, surrendering one run on five hits through eight innings. (Details)

Northwestern Ohio 2-6, Concordia 1-4: Cardinals’ leadoff hitter Ryan Neu went 5-for-6 at the plate during the doubleheader, but the remainder of the team was 7-for-48. Northwest Ohio won the first game in extra innings, scoring a run in the top of the ninth inning of the seven-inning game. (Boxscore 1 | Boxscore 2)

MEN’S TENNIS Big Ten Tournament: Illinois eliminated Michigan with a 4-3 quarterfinal win in Madison, Wis. The Wolverines' No. 1 singles player, Evan King, rallied for a 3-6, 7-5, 6-1 win over Dennis Nevolo to keep Michigan's hopes alive. A spot in the semifinals came down to the No. 6 singles match. Illinois' Bruno Abdelnour beat Michigan's Chris Madden, 6-4, 6-3. (Details)

WOMEN’S TENNIS Big Ten Tournament: See AnnArbor.com’s coverage here.

MAC Tournament: Western Michigan’s 4-2 quarterfinal win over Eastern Michigan eliminated the host Eagles. (Details)

MEN’S GOLF Big Ten Championships: Michigan is in fourth place after the first of three days of play at Kampen Golf Course in West Lafayette, Ind. Illinois, Iowa and Penn State occupy the top three spots. (Details)

MAC Championships: Eastern Michigan is in fourth place, 30 strokes behind leader Kent State, after 36 holes at TPC River’s Bend in Mainesville, Ohio. (Details)

MEN’S TRACK Penn Relays: Freshman Cody Riffle’s win in the discus highlighted Michigan’s performance at Day 2 of the 117th Penn Relays in Philadelphia. (Michigan results | Penn Relays website)

WOMEN’S TRACK Drake Relays: Michigan’s Erin Pendleton, the defending Drake Relays discus champion, finished second in the event on Friday. (Michigan results)

WOMEN’S WATER POLO Michigan 18, George Washington 4: The No. 6-ranked Wolverines cruised to a win in a CWPA Eastern Championship quarterfinal match. Senior Sarah Roberts scored four goals and added an assist. (Details)