For the second day in a row junior Matt Maskel led the Illinois State mens golf team at the Stevinson Ranch Invitational, carding a six-over 222 (76,72,74), good for 15th place. In a field of 14 the Redbirds finishing in eighth place, up one spot from yesterdays matches, posting a team score of 906 (298, 300, 308).
Kansas (872) celebrated their sixth Stevinson Ranch Invitational championship with a tournament record 20-stroke lead from second place finishers Kansas State and Nebraska (892).
The Redbirds moved up a spot Tuesday despite shooting their highest round of the tournament. Assistant coach Pina Gentile believes the experience the team received in Ireland helped them push through.
The weather today was bad, 20 mile per hour winds with rain, but nothing compared to what we faced in Ireland, Gentile said. I dont think our guys played to the best of their ability this tournament. We shot the third lowest round on Tuesday, and could have made a bigger move if we were in position after day one. It is important that we finished above two Missouri Valley teams (SMS 933, Drake 919), but we have got to put three solid team rounds together.
Sophomore Matt Miller sat two spots behind Maskel in 17th place carding a seven-over 223 (75,75,73). Senior Denny Bull posted a 233 (73,77,83), tied for 43rd, and senior Kyle Vasel finished in a tie for 50th with a 235 (77,80,78).
The Redbirds return to action April 4-5 at the Branson Creek Invitational in Branson, Mo.
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