Host Marshall topped Western Kentucky 8-0 Sunday in Conference USA baseball action in Huntington, W.Va.

Bryson Smith notched his fourth multi-hit effort of the season for the Hilltoppers.

WKU freshman starting pitcher Jeff Ciocco retired the first nine Thundering Herd batters of the afternoon on 30 pitches. The first three innings netted a pair of strikeouts for Ciocco, but he allowed five hits in the bottom of the fourth and was relieved by Kevin Elder as Marshall took a 5-0 lead.

Elder, Conner Boyd, Michael Hicks and Ben Morrison all made their first appearances of the series. Elder notched three strikeouts, while Hicks and Morrison combined for a scoreless eighth frame against the Thundering Herd.

Along with Smith’s two base hits, Chris Rogers netted a line-drive single to center field to begin the second inning. Marshall Smith and Thomas Peter also reached base via hit by pitch.

{span style=”font-size: 12px;”}WKU gets right back into Conference USA play with a three-game set against Florida Atlantic from Friday through Sunday. The Friday, Saturday and Sunday contests at Nick Denes Field are scheduled to begin at 5 p.m., 1 p.m. and noon, respectively. Sunday’s matchup against the Owls will be Senior Day for nine Hilltoppers.{/span}{&end}