JURUPA VALLEY, Calif. - The UC Irvine men's golf team took the lead after the first round and stayed out front in the second before play was suspended due to darkness Monday at The Joust at Goose Creek Golf Club.
 
The Anteaters carded a first-round 279 (-5) for a three-stroke advantage over host California Baptist (282).
 
Freshman Rei Harashima found himself on top of the individual leaderboard after firing a collegiate-best 6-under 65. He finished the opening round with five birdies and an eagle on the par-5, 515-yard 12th, while recording only one bogey. Harashima's 65 is tied with teammate Jin Nakao for UCI's best round of the year and is tied for sixth in school history. It was also his team-leading sixth sub-70 score.
 
Junior Darien Zhao (71) and sophomore Johnny Bai (71) both tied for 10th through 18. Zhao had two of his three birdies on his final four holes to come in at even-par. Bai also had three birdies late in the first round to get to 1-under before a bogey on his final hole.
 
Freshman Andy Zou and redshirt freshman Jin Nakao rounded out UC Irvine's lineup in a tie for 20th at 1-over 72.
 
The 'Eaters will resume second-round action tomorrow at 8 a.m., with the final round to begin immediately after its conclusion.