PISCATAWAY, N.J.. – Rutgers baseball dropped Thursday's series to opener to Ohio State by a score of 6-3 in 10 innings at Bainton Field. 

The Scarlet Knights (27-24, 5-17) had a late lead, but the Buckeyes (27-23, 11-11) tied it in the ninth and won it in extras. 

OSU took the lead early, scoring in the first on an RBI groundout and in the second on a throwing error, taking a 2-0 after two innings of play. 

Josh Kuroda-Grauer led off the fourth with his team-best 19th double of the season. With two outs, Pete Durocher scored him with another double into left field. 

After a Johnny Volpe walk in the sixth, Tony Santa Maria launched a two-run home run to dead center field, giving RU a 3-2 lead. 

With two outs in the ninth, the Buckeyes tied the game at 3-3. After the game went to extra innings, OSU hit a three-run homer in the top of the 10th to jump out to a 6-3 advantage. 

On the mound, Sonny Fauci delivered his best outing for the Scarlet Knights. He pitched 7.1 innings, allowing just two runs on three hits, striking out four with eight walks.

Game two between Rutgers and Ohio State is set for 3 p.m. on Friday afternoon. 

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