STOCKTON, Calif. – The North Dakota State Men's golf team sits in a tie for 11^th after the first round of the Visit Stockton Pacific Invitational at The Reserve at Spanos Park on Thursday.
 
Andrew Ballou (73) and Jake Skarperud (73) led the Bison in the first round of the event. Ballou carded three birdies and 12 holes at par to finish +1 on the day. Skarperud held consistent with 17 holes at par and just one bogey to finish +1 after the first 18-holes. The pair of Bison are tied for 39^th in the 96-golfer field heading into the second round of play.
 
Rylin Petry (74) and Gabe Benson (74) also had matching scorecards for the round. Petry shot three birdies on the back nine and nine holes at par to finish +2 for the round. Benson fired a team high of four birdies in the round to finish +2. Both seniors are tied for 51^st going into day two.
 
Carter White (76) wrapped up play for NDSU, logging two birdies and 11 pars to finish +4 in a tie for 66^th.
 
As a team, NDSU (294) sits in a tie for 11^th with UC Santa Barbra (294). Host Pacific (276) and Colorado (276) currently lead the field with a score of -12. San Diego (278) is just behind in third at -10.
 
The Bison will continue with round two of the Visit Stockton Pacific Invitational on Friday, with the competition scheduled to tee off at 9:30 a.m. CT.