Freshmen boost Tech to solid start at Big Blue Classic

Freshmen boost Tech to solid start at Big Blue Classic

Griffin just two strokes off the pace on the leaderboard

SPRING HILL, Tenn. -- Before storms washed out the second round Monday, the Tennessee Tech men's golf team rode the strong play of freshmen Mason Griffin and Sam Schrock to a tie for fifth place following one round in the 12-team Big Blue Classic, being hosted by Tennessee State at King's Creek Golf Club.

The tournament, now shortened to a 36-hole event, will conclude with one final round Tuesday.

Host Tennessee State holds a one-shot lead in a tightly packed race following 18 holes. The Tigers carded a 294 team total, placing them one stroke ahead of UT Martin (295). Murray State is third (299), followed by John A. Logan College (300). Tech and Morehead State are at 301, tied for fifth, three strokes ahead of Lincoln Memorial (304).

Griffin was Tech's leader in the first round, shooting 73 to place him in a tie for eighth with two other golfers, just two shots behind the individual leaders. Schrock was one shot back at 74, tied for 11th place among the 67 golfers in the field. Redshirt freshman Greg Kitts (76) is tied for 20th for coach Craig King's team, followed by Tyler Cassetty (78) and Lee Maxwell (82).

Travis Ramsey, competing as an individual for the Golden Eagles, is tied for 20th place after shooting 76 on Monday.

Ryan Pierson of Tennessee State and Bailey Childress of UT Martin are tied for the individual lead at 71, with five players tied at 72.