TSU's Scitern Tied For First Heading Into Final Day at APSU

Cameron Scitern

HOPKINSVILLE, Kentucky -- Cameron Scitern shot a career best in the first round of the Austin Peay State University Intercollegiate Monday morning and is tied for first after two rounds. Scitern shot a 3-under 69 before carding a 2-under 70 in the afternoon session on the Par-72, 7,132 yard course at the Links at Novadell on a warm 75 degree day with a solid breeze.

Colin McCarty of SIU-Edwardsville matched Scitern in each round and shares the lead with a 5-under, 139.

The Rockdale, Texas native recorded three birdies over the first 15 holes, but remained at even par. He would make a charge with three consecutive birdies, including the par-5, 590 yard 9th hole, to close out the round. The result was a tie with McCarty for second after the opening round, one shot behind leader 2012 Ohio Valley Conference Golfer of the Year Patrick Newcomb of Murray State.

Scitern opened the second round with a birdie on the par-4 11th, giving him his fourth straight birdie. His pinpoint play resulted in four more birdies during the afternoon, as well as hitting the flag on the par-4 8th with his second shot leaving him with a four foot putt. Scitern and McCarty hold a one-shot lead over Newcomb after 36-holes.

"It was an honor to watch his play today," said head coach Chris Seibel. "Was glad to see him shoot a career round and it helps the team heading into tomorrow's play."

The Tigers (300-297=597, 21-over) enter play on Tuesday in 12th out of 14 teams, 22-shots behind host Austin Peay. TSU is within striking distance of a run to the top half of the field. "We need to play hard and beat the players we are playing against," Seibel said. "If we can accomplish our goal, we move up the field".

James Stepp recorded two straight 3-over 75's for a 6-over 150 and is tied for 42nd. The morning round for Stepp was highlighted by a birdie on the par-5 590 yard 9th hole. The sophomore used a monstrous tee shot and a 4-iron on his second shot to reach the green. His eagle putt missed by six inches before tapping in for the birdie. Stepp stayed steady with 14 pars and registering a birdie on the par-3 17th to close out play.

Andrew Warner (74-77=151) used three birdies to shoot a 2-over and was 27th after the morning session. Warner just missed a hole-in-one on the par-3 7th as his tee shot landed on the green and rolled to within six inches of the cup.

Codie Welborn (82-76=158) recorded a birdie on the par-4 2nd, but struggled to stay even during morning play. Welborn was able to rebound in the afternoon cutting six strokes off his opening score. The Murfreesboro product began the second round with a birdie on the par-4 14th and pared the next nine holes, including the 248 yard par-3 5th. The hole played as the toughest of the day for the competitors with all golfers using a driver or a 3-wood to reach the long hole through a strong head wind. Wellborn, Stepp and Dallas Hill were the only Tigers to notch a par on the challenging 5th.

Hill (82-76=158) shot a 4-over during the second round and improved by six shots from the morning to the afternoon. The sophomore used birdies on the 4th, 8th and 15th to score for TSU, while Shane Sampair, playing as an individual, is 13-over after two roundes. Sampair snared four birdies on the first day of the tournament.

The final round begins with a shotgun start on Tuesday at 9 a.m.

SCORECARD

COURTESY TENNESSEE STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION