DORADO, Puerto Rico – Behind an eight-under 64 from TJ Barger – tied for the third-lowest single-round score in program history – the Illinois State Redbirds shot a second-straight 278 (-10), climbing to within four of the team lead with 18 holes to play at the Dorado Beach Collegiate.
The single-round school record of 63 is held by Tommy Bliefnick and Joe Emerich who each shot the score at the 2007 D.A. Weibring Intercollegiate, as Barger is tied for third alongside Valentin Peugnet, Alex McCulla, and Parker Freiburg. ISU's round score of 278 (-10) was tied for the lowest round of the day, and the team's score saw close a stroke from the first-round leader and tournament host UNCG.
UNCG's 552 is narrowly ahead of ISU's 556, with Southern Miss (560), UConn (563), and Loyola Maryland (563) closely chasing the Redbirds. Temple (568), Wofford (568), Winthrop (570), James Madison (574), Ball State (577), Army West Point (581), George Mason (582), Bryant (586), Valparaiso (587), Old Dominion (589), and Appalachian State (591) round out the 16 schools in the tournament field.
Barger – behind his 64 – stands in a tie for second place in the individual standings, as he opened his day strong with nine birdies over his first 13 holes, closing with 10 birdies for the round along with six pars for his collegiate-low score.
Pietro Pontiggia's second round was his second consecutive round under par, as he followed up his opening round 71 with a 70. For the second straight round he recorded an eagle on the par-five ninth hole and added two more birdies and 13 pars for the round, and he is tied for 17th through 36 holes.
Will Troy and Alex McCulla shot matching 72's in the second round, and through 36 holes Troy is tied for 10th and McCulla 12th. Troy had four birdies and 10 pars, while McCulla had five birdies and 10 pars.
Playing as an individual, Max Faucquez shot a three-over 75 in the second round, and he had four birdies and nine pars, and is tied for 30th. Aiden Cudney finished with two birdies and six pars for his 84.
The Redbirds will tee off on the third and final day at 6 a.m. (CT) alongside UNCG, Southern Miss, and Loyola Maryland, as ISU will look to close the remainder of the four-stroke gap to the top spot in the tournament.
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