April 7, 2003

HATTIESBURG, Miss. -- Samford continued its solid play Monday at the Lady Eagle Invitational at Shadow Ridge Golf Course, shooting a season-best 312 and tying for third after one round. The 54-hole tournament has been shortened by 18 holes, and weather permitting the second and final round will be finished Tuesday.

The Bulldogs were led by Kelly Stout and Kelly Villarreal, who tied for fifth place by virtue of an opening-round 76.

Christine Sparks is tied for 15th after firing a 79. Tricia Harlow shot 81, and Sarah Gossum shot 83.

"I'm pleased with our position so far," said coach Ian Thompson. "The course suits us well, and we are playing steady golf."

Southern Miss leads the tournament with a 295. Middle Tennessee State is second at 311, and the Bulldogs are tied with East Tennessee State at 312.

"We're only one shot out of second place," said Thompson. "Southern Miss is a solid team playing its home course, so it's really no surprise they are leading."

The players began the second round before inclimate weather forced its postponement. Sparks was even on her second round thru six holes, Stout was 1-over thru five, Harlow and Gossum were 3-over thru five and Villarreal was 5-over thru six holes.

"We don't need to play spectacular golf, just steady," Thompson said. "If we do, we can maintain our position or possibly move up to second."

If weather wipes out Tuesday's play, the round one scores will count and the Bulldogs will finish third. Thompson said the team will use its recent solid play, including a seventh-place finish at the Samford Intercollegiate March 25.

"We had a team meeting and talked about thinking positive before the conference championships," he said. "The conference course and field will be a little tougher, so it will be good for us to be playing well heading in."

The Atlantic Sun Championships are April 14-16 in Daytona Beach, Fla.