DAVIS, Calif. — Zach Mate led the Sacramento State men's golf team with an even-par round of 72 during the first round of the El Macero Classic on Friday. Sacramento State is in 12^th place as a team with a total of 300.
 
Mate is tied for 20th overall and is four shots off the lead. Mate scattered a team-high five birdies through his 18 holes, including a pair of Nos. 16 and 18 to close even. He bounced between 1-under and 2-over throughout the round beginning with a birdie on the par-5 second which was followed by a double-bogey on the par-3 third. A par on No. 5 was backed by a bogey on the par-4 to leave him at 1-over. Following two pars, he bogeyed No. 9 and started the back nine with a birdie on the par-4 10^th. His final bogey of the round was on the par-4 14^th before he closed by playing his final three holes at 2-under.
 
Gabriel Smith shot 74 and is tied for 42nd. Smith parred the first three holes but made the turn at 4-over after a bogey on No. 4, a birdie on No. 5, a triple-bogey on No. 6 and a bogey on No. 8. He had the lowest score on the back nine for Sacramento State, carding birdies on the par-4 13^th and par-5 15^th to go along with seven pars.
 
Max Thomas was also able to steady his round after a tough front nine. Thomas had a quick start with a birdie on the par-5 second but added five bogeys on the next seven holes to stand at 4-over. On the back side of the course, he birdied the par-3 12^th and had a bogey on the par-4 13^th to accompany seven pars.
 
Jake Aberle contributed a 78 to complete the four scorers for the team. Aberle's round was comprised of a birdie, five bogeys and a double bogey. Luke Dugger added a round of 81 with two birdies, seven bogeys and a pair of doubles.
 
UC San Diego (281) has a one-shot lead over its cross-town rivals San Diego atop the team standings. The remainder of the top five is comprised of Pacific and Saint Mary's which is tied for third at 283 and California Baptist at 287.
 
The second round will take place on Saturday with the Hornets going off the 10^th tee beginning at 9:30 a.m.
 
El Macero Classic
Davis, Calif. | El Macero CC
Par 72 | 7,127 Yards
 
Team Standings
1. UC San Diego 281
2. San Diego 282
T3. Pacific 283
T3. Saint Mary's 283
5. California Baptist 287
T6. Denver 291
T6. San Francisco 291
T6. Cal State Fullerton 291
9. UC Davis 292
10. Air Force 295
11. Nevada 296
T12. Fresno State 297
T12. Washington State 297
14. Gonzaga 298
15. Sacramento State 300
16. CSUN 303
17. UT-Arlington 314
 
Individual Leaders
T1. Jaden Cantafio, USD, 68
T1. Kyle Dougherty, UCSD, 68
T1. Francis Catalano, UCSD, 68
T1. Louis Grizot, UCD, 68
T5. Travis Robbie, PAC, 69
T5. Willis Panzarello, DEN, 69
T5. Tegan Andrews, CSF, 69
T5. Eeli Kujanpaa, CBU, 69
 
Sacramento State Scores
T20. Zach Mate 72
T42. Gabe Smith 74
T60. Max Thomas 76
T73. Jake Aberle 78
T86. Luke Dugger 81