Caroli fires 68 to help FSU remain second in regional

For the Times West Virginian

MIDDLETOWN, Del. May 07, 2008 12:19 am

— Fairmont State senior co-captain Justin Caroli fired the low round of the tournament Tuesday to help keep the Falcons within striking distance heading into the final round of the NCAA Division II East Regional Golf Tournament here at The Saint Annes Golf Club.
Caroli, who is from Bridgeport, carded a three-under par 68 Tuesday on the par-71, Back Creek Course to help FSU finish with a team total of 299.
The Falcons trail Indiana (Pa.) University by four shots heading into today’s final round of the 54-hole event. IUP fired a team-low 292 Tuesday and currently leads the eight-team field with a two-day total of 599.
FSU is second at 603 and is followed by West Liberty State College (608), Clarion (Pa.) University (625), Millersville (Pa.) University (629), the University of Charleston (634), Ohio Valley University (636) and Concord University (643).
Indiana’s Nic Milito and Clarion’s Jared Schmader are tied for the individual lead in the tournament with two-day totals of 146. Caroli, who turned in an eight-over par 79 in the opening round, is currently tied for third place individually with IUP’s Gavin Smith one shot back at 147.
“On the driving range before the tournament I felt really good,” said Caroli, who had five birdies, two bogeys and 11 pars in his Tuesday round. “I haven’t felt as comfortable with my wedges as I did today in a while. I started off a little shaky with my driver, but what helped me a lot is I birdied my first hole so that really helped my confidence. It got me going.
“I bogeyed No. 3, but after that I got my swing back and things just felt really good. I hit 17 greens today.”
FSU’s Zack Rudy, who was the first-round leader with an even-par 71, shot a nine-over 80 Tuesday and slipped to 11th place overall.
The Falcons also got a very solid round Tuesday from sophomore Jeff Cunningham, who finished with an even-par 71 and currently is tied for eighth-place overall in the tournament with a two-day total of 150. Cunningham, who plays in the No. 4 position for the Falcons, finished with two birdies, two bogeys and 14 pars.
“What a round Jeff had today for us,” said Caroli. “I gave that kid the biggest hug after we finished. He really stepped up when we needed him. That’s how you win golf tournaments. If you have someone who is struggling you need someone else to step up and pick them up and Jeff really did that for us today.”
Freshman Dylan Alasky also finished with an 80 Tuesday for Fairmont State, while senior co-captain Will Gautreau endured one of the toughest rounds of his standout FSU career. Gautreau, who is one of FSU’s most consistent players, finished with an uncharacteristic 87 Tuesday after firing a four-over 75 Monday.
Still, though, FSU remains in the hunt for the regional title with both IUP and West Liberty. Last year Fairmont State wiped out a two-shot lead by Indiana on the last three holes to win its first-ever NCAA Division II East Regional Championship.
“I’m very excited and very proud of the guys for what they’re doing in this tournament,” said Caroli. “I know they’re doing their best and they’re playing their hearts out. The chemistry is there for us. What I felt last year when we won it, I can feel it again this year.
“It’s all on the line for us and we’re all really excited about it. We don’t want to have any regrets. We’ve got to play balls to the wall Wednesday.”