Mississippi State
Bettie Lou Evans Fall Invitational
Lady Bulldogs Finish Opening Round At Kentucky
September 25, 2009 | Women's Golf
LEXINGTON, Ky. - The lady golfers of Mississippi State finished round one of the Bettie Lou Evans Invitational tied for 13th after totaling a 314 score at the Big Blue Course, hosted by Kentucky.
Senior Leigh Phillips and Junior Erika Thornton led the way for MSU, both firing five-over-par 77s, good enough to tie for 28th place. Senior Gina Sharp finished a few strokes back, shooting a 79. Junior Mallory Batson currently stands at nine-over-par, finishing the day with an 81. Freshman Morgan McQuary wrapped her collegiate debut with an 84.
"It was a disappointing opening round," coach Christi Sanders said. "We got off to a shaky start and could never get a good rhythm going throughout the holes. We know we have 36 holes left, and we are only four shots from the eighth position, so we hope to gain some ground tomorrow."
Ninth-ranked Florida State currently holds the lead at 298 in a field struggling with poor weather conditions. Behind the Seminoles are Coastal Carolina and Central Florida, both three strokes back at 301. Texas State finished the day with a 302 to top No. 12 Chattanooga, which shot a 303.
Mississippi State begins second-round action at 8:30 a.m. on Saturday, while the final round begins at 8:30 a.m. on Sunday. Live stats will be available at www.mstateathletics.com.
RESULTS THROUGH ROUND ONE - Bettie Lou Evans Invitational
Lexington, Ky. - 09/25/09
1. Florida State (298, +10), t2. Central Florida (301, +13), t2. Coastal Carolina (301, +13), 4. Texas State (302, +14), 5. Chattanooga (303, +15), 6. Notre Dame (304, +16), 7. Kennesaw State (305, +17), 8. Augusta State (310, +22), t9. Florida International (311, +23), t9. Kentucky (B) (311, +23), 11. Middle Tennessee State (312, +24), 12. Miami (313, +25), t13. Mississippi State (314, +26), t13. Princeton (314, +26) Kentucky (318, +30)
MSU INDIVIDUAL RESULTS
T28. Leigh Phillips (77, +5)
T28. Erika Thornton (77, +5)
T48. Gina Sharp (79, +7)
T58. Mallory Batson (81, +9)
T68. Morgan McQuary (84, +12)
