Freshmen Connor Harrington and Caleb Miller each shot a career-best 71 in the second round of the Natural State Classic on Tuesday afternoon and the duo’s efforts helped the Muleriders shave 16 strokes off of the team’s Monday scorecard as they climbed two spots to finish in 12th place after a day two score of 308. For the tournament, SAU shot +56 for a two-day total of 632.
Miller, who recorded three birdies and 13 made pars, finished the 36-hole tournament at 152 (+8) and in a tie for 21st place. Harrington’s 13-stroke improvement from his efforts on Monday placed him in the top 35 of the tournament field after a two-day total of 155 (+11). He started the day with seven straight pars, notched a birdie on No. 8 and then closed out the front nine with a par to finish at one-under. He added two more birdies and five pars on the back nine.
Freshman Brendan Little finished tied for 38th after a shooting 157 for the tournament. Freshman Andrew Bennett dropped two strokes to shoot 83 in round two and freshman Tim Ryan, who birdied No. 5 was eight strokes better on Tuesday as his performance also aided SAU’s move up the leaderboard.
Southern Arkansas returns to action on Monday for the two-day Battle for the Belt hosted by Henderson State in Hot Springs.
In women’s action, SAU improved by two strokes in round two of the Natural State Classic behind freshmen Chelsea Chow and Elizabeth Townsend each shaving three strokes off their Monday scorecard. SAU finished in 14th place in the 17-team field.
Chow shot a 78 in round two with a dozen pars. She finished with a 159 for the tournament and in a tie for 32nd.
Sophomore Mackenzy Turner matched her 82 on Monday as she delivered six pars to finish at 164 and tied for 43rd place.
Townsend dropped below 90 as she posted a career-best 88 in round two with four made pars to finish the tournament with a 179. Freshman Corynn McKinnie finished with a 183 and freshman Taylor Rich shot 184 in 36 holes of play.
The Lady Muleriders return to play on Monday at the Diffee Ford Lincoln Invitational in Edmund, OK, at event hosted by Southern Nazarene.