Runners explode out of the starting blocks before fighting through the final stretch.

And the Bruins opened their weekend series with overwhelming speed before grinding their way across the finish line.

No. 1 UCLA baseball (13-2, 3-0 Big Ten) took down Ohio State (5-9, 0-3) in the final game of the teams’ conference-opening series at Bill Davis Stadium in Columbus, Ohio, to achieve the sweep. The Bruins combined for 30 runs across the first two games, taking Friday’s opener 11-1 and run-ruling the Buckeyes 19-6 in eight innings Saturday. They closed out the series with a come-from-behind 10-7 win Sunday.

UCLA Athletics said there would be interview availability Monday morning but did not provide interviews with a second player.

“There’s respect for the league – you have to be a really good team on the road to have a chance to win the league,” said coach John Savage following UCLA’s win over Cal State Fullerton on Tuesday. “Ohio State has a very good coach. They’re a very tough place to play.”

UCLA’s success throughout the weekend stemmed from a familiar formula – strong starting pitches paired with a timely offense. The Bruins jumped ahead early in the first two games while their pitching staff kept the Buckeyes’ lineup largely in check.

Game one began with another dominant outing from starting pitcher Logan Reddemann, who earned his fourth win in as many starts. The junior right-hander matched his career high with 10 strikeouts across six scoreless innings, setting the tone for the Bruins early.

Offensively, Mulivai Levu notched a breakout performance at the plate to start the series. The junior first baseman went 4-for-6 with three RBIs and a home run, spearheading an offense that quickly put the game out of the Buckeyes’ reach.

“Every game in the Big Ten matters,” Levu said. “We’re off to a good start, and it’s only up from here.”

Levu broke game two open with a three-run homer that extended UCLA’s lead to 6-2, and its pitching staff delivered several strong outings to back it up.

Wylan Moss earned his first win of the season out of the bullpen. The sophomore right-hander entered in the third inning and shut down Ohio State’s lineup across five scoreless frames, allowing just one hit and striking out eight.

Game three proved far less comfortable for the Bruins, who fought from behind for the eighth time this season.

UCLA trailed 5-1 early after junior right-hander Landon Stump allowed five runs – though only two were earned – across 2.1 innings pitched. The Bruins gradually chipped away at the deficit as the offense worked its way back into the game.

The Bruins earned their first lead of the game when Levu launched a two-run home run that gave UCLA a 7-6 lead in the eighth inning. The Bruins continued to build on that swing, eventually stretching their advantage to 10-6 entering the bottom of the ninth inning.

Ohio State juiced the bases with one out, but UCLA recorded its first successful pickoff of the season at second base to erase a pivotal runner.

The next batter drove a ball off the very top of the fence that brought home just one run – a result made possible by the earlier pickoff, allowing the Bruins to hold on to complete the sweep.

The Bruins will travel back home for their 50th matchup against the Anteaters in program history.

With UCLA set to face UC Irvine (9-7, 1-2 Big West) on Tuesday evening at Jackie Robinson Stadium, it will see right-hander Cade Castles on the mound to start the game. Castles has made three starts for the Anteaters this season, allowing eight earned runs and two free passes in 8.1 innings pitched.

The Bruins will throw out right-hander Angel Cervantes for his fourth midweek start of his true freshman season. Cervantes has had limited innings in his six outings, only throwing as much as three frames against San Diego State on Feb. 24. The Lynwood, California, local has only allowed two runs over his last three outings.

Although UCLA leads the all-time record against Irvine by one win, the historical clash may challenge the Westwood bunch.