Pinehurst, N.C. - The Georgia State men's golf team stands seventh after a second round 305 at the CAA Championship on the famed Pinehurst No. 8 course entering Sunday's final round. Freshman Tyler Gruca led the Panthers on Saturday with a 2-over 74 to move into the top 20.
Gruca made three birdies in his second round to move into a tie for 16th at 8-over par. The only GSU golfer to play in all 11 events this year shot an opening round 78 on Friday.
The Panthers improved by two strokes from an opening day 307, but dropped two spots in the 11-team field on a day that scoring conditions were easier than on a rainy and windy Friday.
"We had a chance to move up the leaderboard today," commented head coach Joe Inman. "Unfortunately we were not able to take advantage of the scoring conditions. The field is close enough together that we can move up several spots on Sunday if we can put together a solid round."
Freshman Victor Lavin shot a second round 75, improving on an opening round 78, to move into a tie for 19th. Lavin made a pair of back nine birdies after an opening nine-40 and is 9-over par entering Sunday.
Seniors Alan Fowler and Brent Paul, playing in the final tournament of their careers, are tied for 27th at 11-over. Making three birdies, a pair of double bogeys derailed Fowler's round. Paul shot 81, stumbling with a nine on the par 5, 579-yard 11th hole.
Freshman Ross Mclister dropped into a tie for 32nd after a second round 78 and stands 13-over par entering Sunday's final round.
Since joining the CAA in 2006, the Panthers have won a pair of conference titles, 2006 and 2008, and lost in a one-hole playoff to VCU in 2009.
UNC Wilmington built its lead to 10 strokes over George Mason after a second round 293. The Seahawks stand at 11-over par, followed by the Patriots at 21-over. VCU stands in third place at 24-over, followed by James Madison at 28-over. Rounding out the top five is Old Dominion in fifth at 29-over.
UNC Wilmington's Josh Brock moved into first place following a second round 71 and is 1-under for the tournament. Old Dominion's Neil Henderson shot the low round of the tournament, 68, to move into second place at even par. VCU's Rocky Khara stands third at 1-over, followed by George Mason's Silas VanSky at 2-over in fourth place. Delaware's Stephen Scialo and James Madison's Ryan Vince are tied for fifth at 3-over.
The 11-team field will continue play on Sunday with tee times beginning at 8 a.m. off both the first and tenth tees.
Live scoring for the 2011 CAA Championship will be available at GolfStat.com all weekend long. Full results and details will be posted at GeorgiaStateSports.com at the end of each round.
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