VICTOR, N.Y. (April 10, 2022) -- In a 23-team field made up of some of the strongest teams from the Atlantic and East Regions, the Franklin Pierce University men's golf team is tied-ninth at the midpoint of the NCAA Regional Preview, hosted by Le Moyne at the 6990-yard, par-72 Burgundy Course at the Ravenwood Golf Club. The Ravens were led in Sunday's first round by a pair of five-over 77s, from sophomore Jake Berkio (Ashburnham, Mass.) and junior Michael Sosik (Fiskdale, Mass.).

The Burgundy Course yielded a first-round average of 79.48 strokes across the 116-player field. The course will host the NCAA Championship Atlantic/East Regional later this spring, on May 5-7. This week's two-round tournament is designed to give the region's teams a look at the course ahead of NCAA play.

Berkio and Sosik are part of a 12-way tie for 32^nd to lead the way for Franklin Pierce at the halfway point of the tournament. Two shots farther back, sophomore Thomas Hickey (Moultonborough, N.H.) and freshman Jack Paterson (Franklin, Mass.) both turned in seven-over 79s to join a 15-player tie for 49^th. Freshman Peter Wurszt (Wilbraham, Mass.) rounded out Franklin Pierce's five-player lineup with an 83 (+11), and is tied-92^nd with 18 holes to play.

It all added up to an opening-round 312 (+24) for the Ravens, who are in a four-way tie for ninth with Mercyhurst, Goldey-Beacom and host Le Moyne. The quartet hits the midpoint of the tournament 11 shots back of first-round leader Davis & Elkins, which carded a Sunday 301 (+13). The Senators are one shot in front of West Liberty in second at 302 (+14), and West Chester is another shot farther back in third at 303 (+15).

Individually, West Liberty senior Alex Eastholm put together the only under-par round of the day and is five shots clear of the field after a four-under 68. Davis & Elkins junior Jordan Hyland and Goldey-Beacom freshman Adrian Bonilla are tied-second at 73 (+1).

The second and final round of the NCAA Regional Preview will take place on Monday at Ravenwood Golf Club.