CHAPEL HILL, N.C. -- The East Carolina men's golf team is currently in seventh place after shooting a first round 302 at the Franklin Street Partners Invitational. The tournament is being played at the par-72, 7,199-yard Finley Golf Course in Chapel Hill, N.C.

Host school, North Carolina, and Georgia Southern are sharing the lead after posting an even-par 288, and the Univ. of Alabama is sitting in third just three strokes off at 291.

There are nine teams participating in this weekend's 54-hole tournament: Alabama, East Carolina, Georgia Southern, Georgia State, Kentucky, Michigan, North Carolina, Virginia, and UNC Wilmington.

Individually for the Pirates (11-14-1), Jason Harris continues his solid play, as he sits in a tie for 11th after a round of 73, one-over par for the day. Jeff Crowe is currently tied for 19th and Calle Andren is tied for 22nd.

Georgia Southern's Toshi Hirata fired a seven-under 65 to take the early lead Friday afternoon. UNC's Ted Smith (66) sits in second, just one stroke off the lead, and Kentucky's John Holmes is three back with an opening round of 68.

"On paper it looks like our team is struggling," said ECU head coach Kevin Williams. " I have seen a lot of positive things since our first tournament, but our scores don't reflect that. We just have to keep playing hard and things will fall into place for us."

Pirate fans are able to obtain live scoring throughout the tournament via the internet at www.golfstat.com. The second round will begin at 9:30 am on Saturday.

Top Pirate Finishes
T11. Jason Harris 73
T19. Jeff Crowe 75
T22. Calle Andren 76
T30. Brandon Pace 78
T41. Robin Smith 80

Top Individual Finishes
1. Toshi Hirata (Ga. Southern) 65
2. Ted Smith (N. Carolina) 66
3. John Holmes (Kentucky) 68
T4. Three are tied 70

Top Team Finishes
T1. Georgia Southern 288
T1. North Carolina 288
3. Alabama 291
4. Kentucky 292
5. Georgia State 294