DAVIS, Calif. — The Sacramento State men's golf team improved its score by seven strokes and moved up four spots in the standings during the second round of the El Macero Classic on Saturday.
 
The Hornets were led by Luke Dugger who shot a 1-under par round of 71. Dugger had a great start to his round playing the back nine at 2-under par with birdies on the par-4 14^th and 17^th along with seven pars. He started the front nine with two pars before a bogey on the par-3 third. After two more pars, he birdied the par-4 sixth and then ended with a bogey on No. 7 and two pars.
 
Zach Mate is tied for 18^th overall with rounds of 72-73-145. Mate had a tough start to his day where he was 5-over through four holes but rallied back following birdies on the par-5 15^th, 18^th and 2^nd and the par-4 fourth. A double bogey on the par-4 sixth moved him to 3-over before he responded with birdies on Nos. 7 and 8.
 
Gabriel Smith added a round of 74 and is tied for 38^th overall. Smith got off to the best start on the team with birdies on Nos. 11 and 13 surrounding a bogey on No. 12. After six consecutive pars, he birdied the par-5 second to move to 2-under. A bogey on No. 3 and a birdie on No. 5 kept him there before playing the final four holes at 4-over.
 
Jake Aberle shot 75 for the fourth score towards the team total. Aberle was 2-over on the back nine with bogeys on Nos. 10 and 11 and seven pars. He was 1-over on the front side of the course beginning with a birdie on No. 2 and counting bogeys on Nos. 4 and 6.
 
Max Thomas was one shot back of Aberle on Saturday. Thomas had an up-and-down start to his round which saw him record two birdies, four bogeys and a double bogey on the first seven holes. He then parred his next 10 holes before finishing with a bogey.
 
Saint Mary's moved into the team lead with a 4-under par round of 284. The Gaels stand at 9-under through the first two rounds of the tournament and have a five-shot lead over UC San Diego. Pacific and San Diego are tied for third at 3-under while California Baptist if 5-over and sits in fifth place.
 
The individual leaderboard is crowded as six players are tied for the top spot at 4-under. Five other players are within two strokes of the lead.
 
The third round will be held on Sunday where Sacramento State will be paired with UC Davis, Nevada and UT-Arlington. The foursomes will tee off the 10th hole beginning at 8:30 a.m.

 
El Macero Classic
Davis, Calif. | El Macero CC
Par 72 | 7,127 Yards
 
Team Standings
1. Saint Mary's 283-284-567
2. UC San Diego 281-291-572
T3. Pacific 283-290-573
T3. San Diego 282-286-568
5. California Baptist 287-294-581
6. Cal State Fullerton 291-292-583
7. Denver 291-294-585
8. San Francisco 291-298-589
T9. UC Davis 292-300-592
T9. Nevada 296-296-592
11. Sacramento State 300-293-593
12. Washington State 297-299-596
13. Air Force 295-302-597
T14. Gonzaga 298-300-598
T14. CSUN 303-295-598
16. Fresno State 297-306-603
17. UT-Arlington 314-317-631
 
Individual Leaders
T1. Oscar Holm-Bredkjaer, USF, 71-69-140
T1. Deitrek Gill, PAC, 71-69-140
T1. Connor Reis, SMC, 70-70-140
T1. Aidan Lee, SMC, 70-70-140
T1. Francis Catalano, UCSD, 68-72-140
T1. Kyle Dougherty, UCSD, 68-72-140
 
Sacramento State Scores
T18. Zach Mate 72-73-145
T38. Gabe Smith 74-74-148
T60. Luke Dugger 81-71-152
T60. Max Thomas 76-76-152
T68. Jake Aberle 78-75-153