Barckley leads Griz on day one in California

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Freshman Baylee Barckley shot a 3-over 75 Saturday and is tied for 12th after the opening round of the two-round Lady Mustang Intercollegiate at Arroyo Grande, Calif.

Montana shot a 321 at Cypress Ridge Golf Course and is tied for ninth out of 11 teams.

Barckley shot a 74 in her closing round in the Grizzlies' last tournament, the Pat Lesser Harbottle Invitational at Lakewood, Wash. She was a few missed putts Saturday from bettering that score.

"Baylee struck the ball really well today. Maybe the best I've seen and the most confidence I've seen her have," said coach Matt Higgins. "And she really could have gone low had she made a few more putts.

"She's made some swing changes this fall, and she trusts them. She's got confidence, and that's what's really helping her now."

Junior Alexa Schendelman, playing her first competitive round in more than a month, shot a 77 and is tied for 23rd. The other three members of the team carded scores of 84 or higher.

"It was putting. The greens gave us a challenge today, and as a team we really struggled with it," added Higgins.

"We practiced afterwards and hopefully gained some confidence from seeing the ball go in the hole. I'm excited to see how they come out and perform tomorrow."

Santa Clara shot a 298 Saturday and leads a crowded leaderboard. Host Cal Poly (299), UC Riverside (300), Southern Utah (301) and Cal State Northridge (301) will all enter Sunday's final round within three shots of the Broncos.

UC Riverside's Hannah Facchini and Montana State's Clare Dittemore both shot 1-under 71s. Five players shot even-par 72s.

University of Montana Athletics

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Baylee Barckley

Alexa Schendelman

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