PENSACOLA, Fla. (Interstat) — The Ohio State Buckeyes capitalized on early opportunities and rode a strong start from pitcher Gavin Kuzniewski to a 7-1 victory over the Saint Louis Billikens in the season opener for both teams Friday evening at Blue Wahoos Stadium.

The game’s decisive moment came in a chaotic bottom of the third inning. Already leading 2-1, the Buckeyes broke the game open by sending nine men to the plate and scoring three runs, only one of which was earned. After loading the bases with one out, Ohio State’s CJ Reid delivered the key blow, a two-run single to right field that scored Henry Kaczmar and leadoff man Luke Ellis. Reid later scored from third on a throwing error by Saint Louis pitcher Brian Nunez, extending the Buckeyes’ lead to 5-1.

That rally provided ample support for Kuzniewski, who earned the win with five solid innings of work. He allowed one run on seven hits, walked three and struck out five. The Billikens consistently put runners on base, tallying 10 hits and drawing five walks, but went 0 for 11 with runners in scoring position and stranded 11 men on base.

Saint Louis took an unconventional early lead in the top of the first inning without a hit. Isaac Blazier flied out to center field, but a misplay by Ohio State’s Miles Vandenheuvel allowed an unearned run to score. The Buckeyes answered immediately in their half of the frame. Ellis walked, stole second, advanced to third on a groundout and scored on an RBI single from Mason Eckelman.

Ohio State took the lead for good in the second inning when Alex Bemis singled and scored on a triple by Maddix Simpson. The Buckeyes added single runs in the sixth and eighth innings. Ellis drove in both, first with a sacrifice fly and later with an RBI single that plated Bemis, who had reached on an error.

Saint Louis’s lone offensive highlight came in the eighth inning when Kody Bond launched a solo home run to left field off reliever Zach Sigman. Bond reached base three times, with a homer and two walks. Joe Canzoni had three of Saint Louis’s 10 hits.

Ellis was a catalyst for Ohio State, scoring twice and driving in two runs despite not recording a hit until his eighth-inning single. He was hit by two pitches and stole two bases. Reid finished with two hits and two RBIs.

Dylan Gormont and Brian Nunez followed Nunez to the mound for Saint Louis. The Billikens used five pitchers in total.

The loss dropped Saint Louis to 0-1 to start the season, while Ohio State begins 1-0. The teams are scheduled to play a doubleheader on Saturday at the same neutral site in Pensacola.

According to Interstat’s ELO system, Ohio State entered the game with a 51.20 percent probability to win.