Ferrell's top-10 round leads SSU men's golf to third place after opening day of UPike Spring Invitational

PRESTONSBURG, Ky. -- Behind an opening round from Ross Ferrell that has the junior golfer sitting in ninth place overall, the men's golf program at Shawnee State presently sits third following the opening day of the UPike Spring Invitational, which was held Monday afternoon at the StoneCrest Golf Course in Prestonsburg, Ky.

Ferrell, who shot an opening round 79, sits just four strokes back of a UPike Spring Invitational All-Tournament Team spot and five back of a top-three finish -- as Ferrell, a product of Tipp City, sits in a tie for ninth place overall in the 32-golfer field.

Behind Ferrell, Kyle Salamon and Max Kearns -- the latter of whom was competing as an individual -- each put themselves in a tie for 11th place on the leaderboard, while Tanner Stevenson and Trey Cracraft followed by matching one another's opening round score en route to placing in a tie for 15th.

Stevenson led Shawnee State with three birdies, which matched the most by any player in the field on Day 1, while Salamon added two birds on his own accord. Kearns' 10 pars led SSU.

Logan Hughes rounded out the Shawnee State contingent by tying for 22nd place overall on Day 1.

As a team, Shawnee State shot a 321 -- with SSU sitting just 12 strokes back of host, and overall leader, Pikeville, who shot a 309 as a group.

Action continues throughout the day Tuesday as the Bears play the second and final 18-hole round at the UPike Spring Invitational at StoneCrest Golf Course.