ATHENS, Ohio (Interstat) — Jackson Halter hit a grand slam in the first inning to propel Marshall to a 5-2 victory over Ohio on Wednesday at Bob Wren Stadium.

Halter finished 2-for-4 with four RBIs for the Thundering Herd (20-24), who collected six hits. The Bobcats (8-36) managed five hits but could not overcome the early deficit.

Marshall took a 5-0 lead in the top of the first when Halter launched his home run, scoring AJ Havrilla, Tyler Kamerer and Evan Bottone. Ohio answered with a run in the second on Tyler Stack’s RBI single and added another in the third on a hit-by-pitch with the bases loaded, making it 5-2.

The Marshall bullpen then shut down Ohio over the final four innings. Alex Caudill earned the win with 2 1/3 scoreless innings, striking out three. Hunter Richardson, Peyton Jackson, Blaine Albright and Davis Gunn combined for 6 2/3 scoreless innings, allowing just two hits and striking out seven.

Ohio’s Aiden Cook tossed two scoreless innings with three strikeouts in relief.