Freshmen Pace Spiders on Day 2 at National Golf Invitational
05/17/2025 | Men's Golf
MARICOPA, Ariz. — Freshman Carson Baez shot a 3-under 69 to finish the day in third place and his classmate Tommy Sharps carded a season-low even-par 72 to lead the Spiders in Round 2 of the National Golf Invitational Saturday at Ak-Chin Southern Dunes Golf Club. For the second straight day, Richmond combined for a team score of 1-over par (289). With Sunday's third and final round remaining, UR is tied for sixth in the 10-team field with Texas State at 2-over par (578).
Baez mixed four birdies and a bogey with 13 pars to register UR's low round for a second straight day. He's third among the 49 players on the individual leaderboard at 8-under par (136), just one stroke behind 36-hole co-leaders Bradley Smolinski (Oregon State) and Enrique Karg (Utah State).
Sharps was the second Spider to shoot even-par or better Saturday. After playing his first five holes in 4-over par, he rebounded to play his next 13 in 4-under, finishing six shots better than his 6-over 78 on Friday.
"I knew there was a ton of golf left to play out there and Coach [Adam Decker] helped keep my head straight," Sharps said. "I was also driving it really well and the course plays pretty short with how firm it is. I knew I'd have a ton of looks for birdie and kept grinding to post a solid number."
"It's fun being out here with your teammates and a fellow freshman by your side," he added.
Sharps is tied for 41st at 6-over par (150), three shots behind junior Drew Carlin (tied for 31st) and two behind sophomore Jack LaPiana (tied for 35th).
Sophomore Parker Moellinger is 43rd at 151 (+7).
Richmond's tee times for Sunday's final round will begin at 8:20 AM local time. The Spiders will be paired with A-10 rival Rhode Island.
Baez mixed four birdies and a bogey with 13 pars to register UR's low round for a second straight day. He's third among the 49 players on the individual leaderboard at 8-under par (136), just one stroke behind 36-hole co-leaders Bradley Smolinski (Oregon State) and Enrique Karg (Utah State).
Sharps was the second Spider to shoot even-par or better Saturday. After playing his first five holes in 4-over par, he rebounded to play his next 13 in 4-under, finishing six shots better than his 6-over 78 on Friday.
"I knew there was a ton of golf left to play out there and Coach [Adam Decker] helped keep my head straight," Sharps said. "I was also driving it really well and the course plays pretty short with how firm it is. I knew I'd have a ton of looks for birdie and kept grinding to post a solid number."
"It's fun being out here with your teammates and a fellow freshman by your side," he added.
Sharps is tied for 41st at 6-over par (150), three shots behind junior Drew Carlin (tied for 31st) and two behind sophomore Jack LaPiana (tied for 35th).
Sophomore Parker Moellinger is 43rd at 151 (+7).
Richmond's tee times for Sunday's final round will begin at 8:20 AM local time. The Spiders will be paired with A-10 rival Rhode Island.
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