DAVIS, Calif. — The Sacramento State men's golf team shot 6-under par as a team and moved into a tie for second place following the second round of the El Macero Classic on Saturday. The Hornets' total of 282 was the lowest of the day by five strokes and now has the team just nine strokes back of UC Davis for the lead.
On Saturday, Sacramento State was led by Riley Hayfield who shot a 3-under par 69. The senior began with seven consecutive pars and then dropped to 1-under with a birdie on the par-4 eighth. A bogey on No. 9 had him make the turn even. Hayfield had three pars to start the back nine. He began his charge with a birdie on the par-4 13th. Following a par, he had a birdie on the par-5 15th and added another on the par-4 17th.
Taylor Knoll shot 70 and is tied for third place overall. Knoll started with a birdie on the first hole and he was 2-under at the midway point with the help of a birdie on the par-3 seventh. On the back nine, Knoll birdied Nos. 10 and 11. He remained at 4-under through 13 holes but ended the round with bogeys on the par-4 14th and par-5 18th. Knoll is six strokes behind UC Davis' Luke Vivolo for the individual lead.
Sophomore Robert Parden provided another under-par round has he shot 70. Parden also birdied the first hole and was even through nine holes. A bogey on the the 11th hole took him to 1-over where he stayed until a birdie on the par-5 15th. Following two pars, Parden ended his day with a birdie on No. 18.
Sacramento State's final score toward its daily total came from Luke Kristo who shot 72. The senior overcame a rough start which saw him play the the first seven holes at 4-over par. After three consecutive pars, Kristo played the final eight holes at 4-under. During the run he had birdies on Nos. 11 and 14. Sitting at 2-over heading into the final hole, Kristo recorded the team's lone eagle of the day to close even.
Aaron Beverly completed the lineup with a round of 75. Beverly had a birdie on the par-5 second and four bogeys.
Overall, Kristo, Parden and Hayfled are tied for 21st place heading into Sunday's final round. Beverly is tied for 30th. Sacramento State also had two individuals in the field led by freshman Zach Liberatore who it tied for 11th after shooting 74-71-145. On Saturday, Liberatore had three birdies and two bogeys. Cody Bates is tied for 41st place with rounds of 72-80-152.
EL MACERO CLASSIC
El Macero CC | Davis, Calif.
Par 72 | 6,6964 Yards
TEAM RESULTS
1. UC Davis 281-287-568
T2. SACRAMENTO STATE 295-282-577
T2. Marquette 281-296-577
4. Nevada 288-291-579
5. Utah Valley 288-294-582
6. Cal Poly 298-294-592
7. Cal State Fullerton 297-298-595
8. Grand Canyon 299-300-599
9. Fresno State 295-308-603
INDIVIDUAL TOP FIVE
1. Luke Vivolo, UCD, 67-66-133
2. Jooho Lee, NEV, 70-66-136
3. Taylor Knoll, SAC, 69-70-139
4. Nick Nelson, MARQ, 70-71-141
5. Grant Booth, NEV, 71-71-142
SACRAMENTO STATE SCORES
3. Taylor Knoll 69-70-139
T11. Zach Liberatore 74-71-145*
T21. Luke Kristo 75-72-147
T21. Robert Parden 76-71-147
T21. Riley Hayfield 78-69-147
T30. Aaron Beverly 75-75-150
T41. Ody Bates 72-80-152*
