University of Richmond Athletics
Baez First, Spiders Second Through 36 Holes at Lake Jovita
02/09/2026 | Men's Golf
DADE CITY, Fla. — Sophomore Carson Baez fired rounds of 67 and 68 to grab the solo lead through 36 holes at the Lake Jovita Invitational and pull the Spiders into a tie for second on the team leaderboard in Richmond's first action of the spring Monday. At 9-under (135), Baez is two shots clear of every other golfer in the field of 88.
"I came out with a lot of confidence built off of recent amateur play and practice play in the days we were here," said Baez. "In the past, I've always gotten ahead of myself and tried to go out and win and keep the momentum from past events going, and then I would play bad and get super mad. Today, I just focused on playing patient, smart golf. I've been striking it so well and knew that as long as I hit certain greens and give myself a look, I can make some birdie putts which I did."
Baez started his day with eight straight pars before birdieing the par-5 9th hole, starting a stretch of six birdies (and one bogey) in seven holes as went on to open Richmond's spring season with a 5-under 67. In Round 2 Monday afternoon, Baez used seven birdies to help offset a shocking four-putt for a triple bogey on the par-4 6th hole, which he called a "crazy hiccup," and shoot a 4-under 68.
Baez's 68 in Round 2 was only the second-lowest round for a Spider Monday afternoon, as senior Drew Carlin, competing as an individual, fired a 5-under 67, the lowest round of his collegiate career. Carlin's round, the second-lowest in the field Monday afternoon, shot him up into a tie for seventh place at 3-under par (141).
"It was a very slow start, but I played well after that," said Carlin. "I hit a lot of greens and my wedges were money."
As a team, the Spiders are tied for second in the 14-team field at 6-under par (570). Richmond is even with Connecticut and behind only Xavier, who sits at 9-under (567) with Tuesday's final round remaining.
Junior Jack LaPiana shot back-to-back rounds of 72 Monday and is tied for 27th at even par. He's one shot in front of freshman Lucas Rizo-Patron, who followed a 3-over (75) in Round 1 with a 2-under (70) in Round 2 and is part of a large group tied for 32nd.
Juniors Quin Polin (2-over par) and Parker Moellinger (8-over par) are tied for 42nd and 76th, respectively.
Tuesday's final round will begin with a shotgun start at 8:30 AM.
"Tomorrow, I'm just gonna do the exact same thing and not play into what the other players might be doing when they chase me," said Baez. "I'm just excited to have fun and another chance to win a tournament."
"I came out with a lot of confidence built off of recent amateur play and practice play in the days we were here," said Baez. "In the past, I've always gotten ahead of myself and tried to go out and win and keep the momentum from past events going, and then I would play bad and get super mad. Today, I just focused on playing patient, smart golf. I've been striking it so well and knew that as long as I hit certain greens and give myself a look, I can make some birdie putts which I did."
Baez started his day with eight straight pars before birdieing the par-5 9th hole, starting a stretch of six birdies (and one bogey) in seven holes as went on to open Richmond's spring season with a 5-under 67. In Round 2 Monday afternoon, Baez used seven birdies to help offset a shocking four-putt for a triple bogey on the par-4 6th hole, which he called a "crazy hiccup," and shoot a 4-under 68.
Baez's 68 in Round 2 was only the second-lowest round for a Spider Monday afternoon, as senior Drew Carlin, competing as an individual, fired a 5-under 67, the lowest round of his collegiate career. Carlin's round, the second-lowest in the field Monday afternoon, shot him up into a tie for seventh place at 3-under par (141).
"It was a very slow start, but I played well after that," said Carlin. "I hit a lot of greens and my wedges were money."
As a team, the Spiders are tied for second in the 14-team field at 6-under par (570). Richmond is even with Connecticut and behind only Xavier, who sits at 9-under (567) with Tuesday's final round remaining.
Junior Jack LaPiana shot back-to-back rounds of 72 Monday and is tied for 27th at even par. He's one shot in front of freshman Lucas Rizo-Patron, who followed a 3-over (75) in Round 1 with a 2-under (70) in Round 2 and is part of a large group tied for 32nd.
Juniors Quin Polin (2-over par) and Parker Moellinger (8-over par) are tied for 42nd and 76th, respectively.
Tuesday's final round will begin with a shotgun start at 8:30 AM.
"Tomorrow, I'm just gonna do the exact same thing and not play into what the other players might be doing when they chase me," said Baez. "I'm just excited to have fun and another chance to win a tournament."
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