Spiders, Baez Smash Records to Win Loyola Intercollegiate

Sunday, February 15

Goodyear, AZ

9:45 AM

University of Richmond

Loyola Intercollegiate

Spiders, Baez Smash Records to Win Loyola Intercollegiate

02/17/2026 | Men's Golf

Results

GOODYEAR, Ariz. — The Richmond Spiders put the finishing touches on a record-breaking week with a 14-under 274 in the final round of the Loyola Intercollegiate on Tuesday to win the event for a second straight year, this time with a team score of 34-under par (830), the lowest in team history.

"It was an amazing performance by the whole squad this week. Everybody made a significant contribution to this record-setting performance," said Spiders coach Adam Decker.

Sophomore Carson Baez captured his first collegiate title with a 17-under 199, eclipsing the program record for lowest tournament score by four strokes, previously owned by current UR assistant coach Cole Ekert, who shot 13-under par at the 2023 VCU Shootout. Baez fired a 6-under 66 Tuesday to secure a four-stroke victory in the 119-player field.

"Carson was really steady all week. Had a great game plan and executed so well," said Decker. "It has been coming for a while now and I'm so excited for him to breakthrough to get his first collegiate win. He achieved such a great finish all while battling flu-like symptoms for the entire week. He did a nice job of controlling his golf ball all week and made great saves when he needed to. He made only one bogey all week!"

The win is Richmond's second this season after the Spiders earned a share of the title at the season-opening Metropolis Intercollegiate in September. The 2025-26 campaign marks the first time Richmond has won multiple events in a season since 2016-17.

UR's team score of 34-under par was five strokes better than its 29-under performance at last year's event, which had been the school record for lowest team tournament score entering this week. The Spiders finished three shots in front of host Loyola Maryland on the 20-team leaderboard after entering the final round tied with the Greyhounds at 20-under par.

"The guys were very relaxed and confident about their games and seemed very comfortable starting off the final round tied for the lead," said Decker. "Last week when we played in Florida, we also were in contention going into the final round and it didn't go as well. I think we certainly learned a little bit from that experience, made some adjustments and got it done today."

Junior Quin Polin tied for sixth at 10-under par (206) after firing a 3-under 69 Tuesday. It was Polin's seventh career top-10 finish and his second straight at this event after he placed seventh last year.

Junior Jack LaPiana snapped a streak of six straight even-par rounds with a 2-under 70, moving him 15 spots up the leaderboard into a tie for 30^th at 2-under par (214).

Freshman Lucas Rizo-Patron moved into red numbers with a 3-under 69 Tuesday after entering the day 2-over par. He finished the event at 1-under par (215), tied for 38^th.

Senior Drew Carlin was part of four golfers who tied for 85^th at 6-over par (222). Also in that group was junior Parker Moellinger, who was competing as an individual.

Tuesday's 14-under round was the second-lowest team round in program history, trailing only UR's 15-under in the opening round of the 2017 Atlantic 10 Championship.

The victory marked Richmond's 14th in 21 seasons under Decker and the first time the program has repeated as a tournament champion. The Spiders have now finished fifth or better in five of seven events this season.

"There's only so much you can control out on the course, they did a fantastic job of playing free and not getting emotional about any outcomes," said Decker.

Next up for Richmond is the Babygrande Donald Ross Collegiate Classic in Southern Pines, N.C. from March 9-11.