It didn’t take long for the Spartans (9-9 in Big Ten play) to pounce on Ohio State starter Jake Michalak. After senior outfielder JT Sokolove scored on a groundout by freshman infielder Caleb Berry in the first inning, MSU exploded for six more runs in the second — despite recording just two hits in the frame.

Three straight walks to open the bottom of the second set the table. A wild pitch brought home junior outfielder Nick Williams, and RBIs from Sokolove, sophomore catcher Ryan McKay and Berry piled on the pressure. Berry’s two-run single to center pushed the score to 6-0, chasing Michalak after just 1.2 innings and more than 50 pitches. A throwing error by Ohio State’s right fielder on a single by redshirt senior first baseman Sam Busch tacked on another run, giving the Spartans a 7-0 cushion after two.

“We take a lot of pride in playing at home,” MSU baseball head coach Jake Boss Jr. said postgame. “Sweeps are hard to come by. For us to take care of business this weekend is huge. I’m really proud of our guys.”

Ohio State tried to claw back with a three-run third, capitalizing on two hits and an MSU fielding error to cut the lead to 7-3. But the Spartans responded immediately — scoring four in the bottom half thanks to a wild pitch, a two-run single from Sokolove and a sacrifice fly by Berry to make it 11-3.

Berry, who finished with four RBIs, credited his teammates for the strong day at the plate.

“Honestly, my performance isn’t much to say about myself,” Berry said. “The guys in front of me and behind me make my job really easy. I’m just trying to put together quality at-bats.”

MSU’s offense showed patience and discipline throughout the game, drawing 14 walks off six different Ohio State pitchers in just seven innings. The Spartans kept adding insurance — highlighted by an RBI double from Williams and another wild pitch score in the seventh — before ending the game early with a bases-loaded walk drawn by sophomore outfielder Dayton Murphy to cap a 10-run lead and activate the mercy rule.

“We battled through some at-bats and drew some walks,” Boss said. “But I also think we struck out looking too many times. That’s something we need to be better at.”

Despite the big offensive numbers, the Spartans’ pitching set the tone early. Higgins worked efficiently through the Buckeye lineup and the bullpen held steady to secure the shortened win.

Now riding high on a six-game win streak and a weekend sweep, the Spartans turn their attention to a midweek matchup against Purdue Fort Wayne.

“We’re gonna stick with our same process,” Berry said. “We’ll get in the weight room, get a little stronger and attack those guys on Tuesday with a clean head.”

With their bats hot and momentum building, MSU will look to keep climbing as Big Ten play heats up.

Michigan State will host Purdue Fort Wayne at 6:02 p.m. on Tuesday, April 22, before traveling to Ann Arbor for a three-game series against Michigan next weekend.