JASPER, IN — The first-year man was second.

Marshall freshman golfer Nathan Kerns enjoyed the best tournament of his young career as he finished second overall Sunday in the Ball State Intercollegiate.

Kerns — a former All-Ohio golfer for the Ironton Fighting Tigers — finished with a 54-hole total of 218. It was the highest finish for a Herd golfer since Christian Brand tied for third at the Xavier Invitational in 2007.

Kerns fired rounds of 72, 71 and 75 and was five shots back of Bowling Green’s Matt Schneider.

Kerns’ performance helped Marshall to a sixth place finish in the 15-team field. Evansville won the tournament with a 25-over par score of 889. Marshall had a 907 total and was 43 over par.

On the season, Kerns has moved into the Herd’s No. 1 man position. He averages 74.52 per tournament with a low round of 69. He also has the team’s lowest high-round with an 81.

Kerns is Herd’s only true freshman on the roster. Aaron Boyer is a redshirt freshman on the nine-man squad.

Marshall will play in the University of Kentucky Bluegrass Invitational April 10-11.