By Mike Lehman, TTU Sports Information

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. – The Tennessee Tech men's golf team continued its hot run through the fall Monday afternoon, concluding the first two rounds of action at the Battle at Black Creek in third place among a hefty field of 17 teams.

The Golden Eagles, fresh off its third consecutive top-five finish to start the 2021-22 campaign, ratcheted up scores of 286 and 282 on the first day of play at Black Creek Golf Club, compiling a 568 overall to sit just six shots back of first-place UT Martin.

Tech's Nick Sutton tied with the Skyhawks' Jonathan Xoinis for the individual lead after the first day around the course, each totaling scores of 137. The Golden Eagle sophomore delivered a tournament field-leading 12 birdies on the day, starting with five as part of a first-round, 1-under 71. He followed it up with seven more in the second round, tying his career-low round of 6-under 66.

Also contributing a pair of rounds under par was Jackson Skeen, tying for 15^th among the field of 95 participants with a 142 total. The redshirt freshman tossed up a pair of 1-under 71s, totaling four birdies each time around the course.

Next among the Tech lineup on the leaderboard was Mark McDearman, producing a 1-over 73 followed by an improved 1-under 71. The second-year Golden Eagle tallied a 144 to tie for 24^th in the field while contributing seven total birdies on the day.

Just one shot behind his teammate was Chance Taylor in a tie for 28^th with a 145. Following a 1-under 71, in which he fired off five birdies and an eagle, the junior carded a 2-over 74 with three more birdies.

Rounding out the lineup for the purple and gold was Alexander Bassel, making his collegiate debut with a score of 159. The rookie posted scores of 82 and 77 with four birdies throughout the day. Competing as an individual, Avery Irwin put forth a composite score of 157. The true freshman wrapped up the day with rounds of 80 and 77.

The Golden Eagles will set their sites on concluding the fall with a tournament title on Tuesday, with the third and final round of the Battle at Black Creek set to commence with tee times beginning at 7:30 a.m. CT.

File photo by Thomas Corhern