Bucknell University Athletics
Bucknell University
Patriot League Championship
Scialabba Has 36-Hole Lead, Bison Men's Golf in 3rd at Patriot League Men's Golf Championship
4/28/2012 8:00:00 AM | Men's Golf
April 28, 2012
LEWISBURG, Pa. -- Freshman Pete Scialabba played 36 holes of golf in 1-over par to grab the overnight lead, and Bucknell posted a pair of 293s to sit in third place at the Patriot League Men's Golf Championship, hosted by the Bison at the Bucknell Golf Club. With 18 holes remaining on Sunday, Bucknell trails Navy by eight strokes and second-place Army by just one.
After a frost delay pushed the start back by one hour, the Bison held the lead throughout much of the opening round. Navy assumed a five-shot lead by the end of the first round, and Bucknell, Army and Lehigh all jockeyed for second place throughout round two. By day's end, Navy grabbed the lead with a 578 total, followed by Army at 585, Bucknell at 586 and Lehigh at 591.
After a 307 in the first round, Lafayette posted the best second-round score with a 288, and the Leopards are in fifth place at 595 total. Colgate is sixth at 608, while Holy Cross is seventh at 614.
Scialabba was the story of the day for the Bison. Starting on No. 10 in the morning, Scialabba birdied the very first hole of his very first Patriot League Championship round. He added another at No. 12, then went on to par 14 of his last 15 holes for a 1-under 69. His only blemish was a bogey at the par-4 fifth.
Scialabba made two more birdies in his afternoon round and finished with a 2-over 72. His 141 total tops a congested leaderboard. William Park of Army is in second place, just one shot behind Scialabba. Peter Reilly and Tim Shield of Navy are two shots back, while Bucknell junior Dan Bernard sits in sole possession of fifth place at 144. A total of 18 players are within seven shots of the lead.
Bernard's opening-round 74 was highlighted by an eagle-3 at the par-5 15th hole. He came back with an even-par 70 in the afternoon, making four birdies, four bogeys and 10 pars. He tallied three birdies in one four-hole stretch, conquering 8, 9 and 11.
Sophomore Schuyer Stitzer had a solid day with rounds of 75 and 76, and he is tied for 17th place. Sitzer birdied the 15th in both rounds. He was on pace for a 73 in the afternoon, but finished double-bogey, bogey for a 76.
Junior J.J. Szmadzinski had an interesting day and turned in a very colorful scorecard. In his opening round, Szmadzinski settled down after going out in 41, posting a solid 38 on his second nine for a 79. He carded a 75 in the afternoon, despite making only five pars. He had six bogeys and a couple of doubles, but he also made five birdies. Szmadzinski is tied for 23rd place at 154.
Also for Bucknell, junior Jon Hartman carded a solid 75 in round one before shooting 83 in the afternoon. Senior Will Bachman shot 77-85.
Bucknell's downfall in the second round was the par-5 third hole, the longest hole on the course. Bernard made a par there, but the other five Bison combined for three 7s and two 6s.
The Bison are seeking their fourth Patriot League title. They won the crown in 2006, 2007 and 2009. The tournament winner earns an automatic berth in the NCAA Regionals.
