MANCHESTER, N.H. (September 21, 2021) -- The Franklin Pierce University men's golf team turned in its second straight round of 289 (+9) on Tuesday, to make its way back up to a mid-pack finish at the Penmen Fall Invitational, hosted by Southern New Hampshire. The Ravens, who were 10^th after the first round, clawed their way back to a sixth-place finish at the 11-team, 54-hole tournament. Sophomore Thomas Hickey (Moultonborough, N.H.) was able to put together a top-20 finish, as he finished tied-15^th in the 60-golfer field at the 6555-yard, par-70 Derryfield Country Club.

The final 36 holes of the tournament allowed Franklin Pierce to showcase some resiliency, after Monday's opening-round 313 (+33). Tuesday's 289 made if a final line of 313-289-289--891 (+51) for the Ravens, who were one shot behind fifth-place Bentley at 890 (+50) and two shots clear of seventh-place Assumption at 893 (+53). Franklin Pierce's first-round struggles stood out in a crowded midfield, as even an opening 300 -- which would have still been the round's third-worst score -- could have allowed the Ravens to finish as high as third. In the end, third through eighth places were separated by just 11 shots.

Franklin Pierce was led in the final round by freshman Peter Wurszt (Wilbraham, Mass.), who posted a one-under 69, which was one of just three under-par rounds on the day. Sophomore Jake Berkio (Ashburnham, Mass.) put together a two-over round of 72, while Hickey and junior Michael Sosik (Fiskdale, Mass.) each carded four-over 74s. Freshman Paul Dean (Clinton, Mass.) rounded out the five-man lineup with a 77 (+7).

Host SNHU ran away with the whole thing, as the Penmen carded three straight rounds of even-par 280, to finish at 840 (E), which was good for a 28-shot win over Post at 287-289-292--868 (+28). The second-place Eagles were then well-clear of Le Moyne in third at 298-292-297--887 (+47).

Individually, Hickey's consistency over the two days led to a final line of 74-73-77--221 (+14), which was good enough to tie for 15^th, some 15 shots off the pace. Sosik (76-74-74), Berkio (80-72-72) and Wurszt (85-70-69) all finished as part of six-player logjam for 24^th at 224 (+14). Dean turned in a line of 83-78-77--238 (+28) to finish solo-52^nd.

SNHU senior Matt Conti finished four shots clear of the field at the top, with a line of 67-68-61--206 (-4). Conti was the only player to finish under par, as Post sophomore Ethan Phillips followed at 70-69-71--210 (E). SNHU sophomore AJ Cavotta, Saint Anselm senior James Henry and SNHU freshman Jack Pepin all finished tied-third at 211 (+1).

The Ravens have the upcoming week off and will be back on the course on Monday and Tuesday, Oct. 4-5, for the 54-hole Northeast-10 Conference Championship, to be hosted by SNHU at Concord Country Club in Concord, N.H.