By Mike Lehman, TTU Sports Information

CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. – Through two rounds of action at Dalhousie Country Club in Cape Girardeau, Mo., the Tennessee Tech women's golf team put itself in good position for a top-three finish Monday.

The Golden Eagles completed the first day of action at the Saluki Invitational fourth among the seven teams in competition, trailing host Southern Illinois by just three shots. Tech posted a 626 while Austin Peay topped the leaderboard with a 586. The Govs' Erica Scutt led all individuals, posting a 5-under 139.

Rookie Chloe Griffith paced the purple and gold through Monday, tying for 11th among 43 golfers with a 153. The freshman posted a 78 with a birdie in the first round and followed it up with a 3-over 75 behind two birdies in the second round.

Senior Ainsley Simms was next among the Golden Eagles on the leaderboard, finishing the day 15th overall with a score of 155. The veteran carded a 79 with a birdie to open the event and backed it up with a 76 and one more birdie on the second trip around the course.

Tying for 17th was fellow Tech vet Gittle Sciolis, who totaled a 157 with rounds of 79 and 78 behind her effort. 

Youngsters Kaydi Rhodes and Lexus Julian tied for 29th with scores of 162. A sophomore, Rhodes shot an 83 with two birdies during her first trip around the course. She followed it with a 79 in the second. The rookie Julian turned in rounds of 82 and 80.

Competing as an individual, Lydia Baker made her collegiate debut with a pair of birdies as part of an 81. She went back around the course a second time and produced an 84 with one more birdie, tying for 31st overall with a 165.

The third and final round of the UAB Hoover Invitational will begin at 8:00 a.m. CT for the purple and gold as part of another shotgun start. 

File photo by David Oghenekaro