Big Improvement In Final Round Helps Ferris State Place Fifth In Large Field At Pioneer Invitational

Big Rapids, Mich. - A 19-stroke improvement from round one to round two helped the Ferris State University women's golf team come away with a fifth-place finish at the Malone University Pioneer Invitational held this weekend in Massillon, Ohio.

The 36-hole event took place at The Legends of Massillon Golf Course on Saturday and Sunday (Oct. 18-19) and included a large field with 16 competing schools on the par 72 South and East courses.

Ashland shot a two-round, 595 team score to win the race with Grand Valley State second (607), Findlay third (610) and Merrimack fourth (644) in front of the Bulldogs.

FSU shot a 332 team score in Saturday's first round of action, but came back to shoot a 313 figure on Sunday to finish at 645 for the 36 holes of competition.

The Bulldogs were led by junior Elizabeth Bauernfeind, who posted scores of 81 and 77 to place tied for 16th with a 158 total.

Next in line for FSU was junior Libby Berens in 24th place. She shot a 82 in round one followed by a 78 on day two to card a 160 figure.

Ferris State's Jordan Duvall placed tied for 27th at 163 on rounds of 82 and 81 over the two days of action. Meanwhile, sophomore Kelsey McKinley fired a 164 total on rounds of 87 and 77 to place tied for 30th in the draw.

Finally, Claire Jansa shot a 87 Saturday before notching a 89 on Sunday to placed tied for 57th overall at 176 for the tournament.

Ashland's Ali Green and GVSU's Gabrielle Shipley tied for medalist honors with a 145 total over the two days.

The event was the final scheduled competition of the fall for the Bulldogs, who will resume the 2014-15 campaign with action in the spring starting next March.