April 21, 2012
Senior Marina Alex continued her march toward a second SEC individual championship on Saturday at the Blessings Golf Club in Fayetteville, Ark., shooting a one-over par 73 in the second round and staying within one stroke of the lead heading into the final day of play Sunday. Alex, who won the 2010 SEC Championship in Tuscaloosa, has a two-round total of 143 (70-73) and trails Auburn’s Patricia Sanz by a shot.
Alex had an up and down day at the Blessings, posting five birdies, 10 pars, two bogeys, and two double bogeys.
Fellow teammate Lauren Stratton pushed into the top 10 on Saturday with a second-round 74. Stratton is in a tie for 10th and has a total of 151 (77-74).
As a team, the Commodores are in 10th place with a score of 625 (318-307), and trail Kentucky and Ole Miss, who are in a tie for seventh, by a stroke.
“They finished well today,” said Vanderbilt head coach Greg Allen. “Eddie was par on back nine. Stratty had a good round today. “They’re fine. They’re hitting some good shots and getting punished. Every shot out here requires accuracy and commitment. It is a very tough test of golf.
“I’m confident. This is a golf course that requires you to put the ball in certain spots, and hopefully, we’ve learned a few things in these first three rounds to know where those spots are. If we put together a good round tomorrow, we can pass a bunch of people. We’ve got to avoid disasters and the big numbers.”
The Commodores also counted a pair of 80’s from Anna Leigh Keith and Rene Sobolewski. Irina Gabasa carded a second-round 88.
Auburn shot a 297 on Saturday and jumped to the front of the pack in the team standings with a team score of 603 (306-297). The Tigers lead host Arkansas by a stroke – the Razorbacks fired a tournament-best 295 in the second round to get back into contention.
The final round concludes Sunday from Fayetteville, Ark.
10. Vanderbilt – 318-307=625
2. Marina Alex – 70-73=143
T10. Lauren Stratton – 77-74=151
T49. Anna Leigh Keith – 84-80=164
T55. Rene Sobolewski – 87-80=167
60. Irina Gabasa – 91-88=179
