SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (April 18, 2022) -- Sophomore Jake Berkio (Ashburnham, Mass.) and junior Michael Sosik (Fiskdale, Mass.) both carded even-par 72s on Monday, and share the first-round lead, as the Franklin Pierce University men's golf team opened play at the Yellow Jacket Invitational, hosted by American International. Halfway through the two-day event, the Ravens hold a one-shot lead at the top of an 11-team field at the 6507-yard Ledges Golf Club.

Berkio and Sosik head the 60-golfer tournament at the midpoint, and it's three Ravens in the top 10, as freshman Peter Wurszt (Wilbraham, Mass.), who put together a two-over 74, and is part of a four-player tie for sixth, two shots back. The only thing that kept Franklin Pierce from running away from the field in the first round was that it was another seven shots back to their fourth and fifth golfers, as sophomore Thomas Hickey (Moultonborough, N.H.) and freshman Jack Patterson (Franklin, Mass.) each turned in rounds of 81 (+9).

It all added up to 299 (+11) for Franklin Pierce, which has now put together three solid rounds in a row after a strong performance at last week's NCAA Regional Preview at Le Moyne. The Ravens hold a one-shot lead over Post with one round to play, as the Eagles turned in a 300 (+12). Bentley is third at 302 (+14).

Individually, it is a three-way tie for third at 73 (+1), behind Berkio and Sosik. AIC freshman Li Su, Dominican (N.Y.) sophomore Alexander Lundvall, and Saint Anselm senior James Henry are all one shot back with 18 holes to play.

The second and final round of the Yellow Jacket Invitational is set for Tuesday at Ledges Golf Club.