Pickering's Ace Powers Trojans at EY Invitational

MUNCIE, Ind. – The 11th-ranked Taylor men's golf team finds itself in middle of the pack following the first two rounds of action at the NCAA Division I Earl Yestingsmeier Invitational.

Leading the charge for the Trojans on day one was Drew Pickering. Fresh off his first career victory last weekend, the junior carded an opening round 3-under-par 67.

Pickering produced the highlight of the day on the opening hole of his second round. The junior utilized the slope long and right of the flag on the 113-yard, par-3, 14th hole, spinning a wedge perfectly, resulting in his first career hole-in-one. Pickering tallied a 2-over-par 72 in the afternoon 18 to finish the first day in a tie for 11th, with a two-round total of 139 (-1).

The Trojans, the only non-NCAA Division I team in the thirteen-team field, posted team scores of 283 (+3) and 289 (+9) to finish the opening day in a tie for 6th place.

Taylor got solid play from sophomore Austin Davis, who posted a 1-under-par 69 in round one, and added a 3-over-par 73 in the afternoon. The Pendleton, Indiana native will enter Saturday's final round in a tie for 20th at 142 (+2).

Redshirt junior Javan Johnson bounced back from some opening round struggles with a 2-under-par 68 in the afternoon to climb into a tie for 33rd at 145 (+5).

Sophomore Adam Kasitz tallied scores of 75 and 76. He will enter the final round tied with junior Erik Fahlen, who posted 78-73 competing as an individual. Junior Noah Ross added rounds of 72 and 79 to round out the scoring for Taylor.

Wright State blistered the 6,501-yard, par-70 layout of Delaware Country Club, finishing the day at 20-under-par to take a commanding lead. The hosts from Ball State are in second at 1-over-par followed by Purdue Fort Wayne (+5), Oakland (+5), and Bowling Green State (+8).

Wright State's Cole Corder sits atop the individual leaderboard at 10-under par (62-68).

The Trojans will compete in the final round of the Earl Yestingsmeier Invitational on Saturday with tee times beginning at 9:30 am. Live scoring can be found at golfstat.com.