April 18, 2006

LEDBETTER, Ky. ---- The Samford University women's golf team saw a 17-stroke improvement in the second round of the O'Reilly Ohio Valley Conference Women's Golf Championship at Drake Creek Golf Club in Ledbetter, Ky., on Tuesday. After two rounds of the three-round tournament, the Bulldogs are in seventh place.

Samford shot a combined score of 317 on Tuesday, after shooting a 334 on Monday. The Bulldogs are in seventh place, with a combined score of 651. Jacksonville State currently leads the field with a two-round score of 610 (310, 300). The Bulldogs are a mere seven strokes behind fourth-place Tennessee Tech, and will attempt to move fourth on Wednesday.

"It was encouraging that we were able to improve today," said Samford head coach Ian Thompson. "Hopefully we can continue to improve, and we'll be able to move into the top-half of the field."

Samford was again led by OVC Freshman of the Year, Maria Troche, who shot a 76 on the day. Troche improved two strokes, after shooting a 78 on Monday, and is currently in seventh place with a combined score of 154.

Samford's Courtney Warr is currently tied for 20th, with a combined score of 164 (82, 82). Kelly Stout is tied for 32nd, after improving 12 strokes from the first round. Stout has a combined 174 (93, 81) through two rounds of play. Additionally, Kellie O'Connell improved 10 strokes and is tied for 27th, with a combined score of 166 (88, 78).

The 2006 O'Reilly OVC Women's Golf Championship is set to conclude on Wednesday. Samford is set to tee off beginning at 8:30 a.m.