BRAKEL'S 75 SPARKS WOMEN'S GOLF TO FINAL ROUND SURGE AT FOLINO INVITATIONAL
3/22/2011
Kercia Brakel was one shot off her career best and led a trio of Hornet golfers who shot 77 or below on Tuesday.
IRVINE, Calif. — Sophomore Kercia Brakel shot 75 and was one of three Sacramento State women to shoot 77 or better in the final round of the Folino Invitational, Tuesday at Oak Creek Golf Club.
The Hornets finished sixth in the team standings but improved its first round score by 15 strokes. Sacramento State shot 329-314-643. Long Beach State held off host UC Irvine to win the team title. The 49ers totaled 306-300-606 while the Anteaters compiled 310-300-610. Portland State, which led after the first round, finished third at 303-308-611.
Senior Samantha Saffold tied for fourth after shooting 72-77-149. On Tuesday, Saffold stood at 3-over through her first three holes but then played her next 11 at even, including a birdie on the par-4 11th. The Sacramento, Calif., native ended her tournament with two pars and two bogeys over the final four holes. Saffold's 36-hole total ties her for the third-best score in program history.
Junior Julie Shutler tied for 15th place and also matched Saffold's second round 77. Shutler played the front nine at 2-over with seven pars. On the back, she added seven more pars but also had a bogey and a double bogey.
Brakel carded the lowest round by a Hornet on the day and was just one stroke off her personal best. The Acampo, Calif., native was 5-over through 11 holes but then recorded three consecutive pars and three straight birdies before bogeying the 18th.
Freshman Ellese Dias provided the final counting score for the team with a round of 85. Dias had seven pars, nine bogeys and a double bogey in her second round.
The Hornets will remain on the road during spring break and head to the Cal Poly Lamkin Grip Match Play in Arroyo Grande, Calif., beginning on March 24.
TEAM SCORES
1. Long Beach State 306-300-606
2. UC Irvine 310-300-610
3. Portland State 303-308-611
4. Cal Poly 314-321-635
5. Cal State Fullerton 318-320-638 6. SACRAMENTO STATE 329-314-643
7. Cal State Northridge 328-320-648
8. UC Riverside 334-321-655
