University of Richmond Athletics
Spiders Shoot 12-Under to Stay in 1st at Loyola Intercollegiate
02/16/2026 | Men's Golf
GOODYEAR, Ariz. — Sophomore Carson Baez shot the second-lowest round (7-under par) in program history, and Richmond combined for the third-lowest team score (12-under par) in program history as the Spiders stayed locked with tournament host Loyola Maryland at the top of the leaderboard at the Loyola Intercollegiate Monday. Both the Spiders and the Greyhounds will enter Tuesday's final round at 20-under par (556), two shots in front of third-place Denver in the 20-team event. Richmond is seeking to repeat as tournament champs after UR shot a program-record 29-under par to win by 10 strokes at last year's event.
Baez, coming off a runner-up finish at the Lake Jovita Invitational last week, is tied with Grand Canyon's Campbell Kerr atop the individual leaderboard at 11-under par (133). Baez registered seven birdies and 11 pars Monday to match the second-lowest round in program history.
I just came out wanting to put myself in position, and I got off to a decent start but nothing special, said Baez, who was 3-under at the turn. I was a bit upset at myself for how I played the par 5s on the back, but I told myself it'll balance out with some other birdie looks if I stay patient. Sure enough, I got them when I least expected it, with a 51-foot birdie on 16 and a 40-foot birdie on 17.
Baez's 7-under 65 equaled Cole Ekert at the 2023 VCU Shootout, Daniel Walker at Kilmarlic in 2012, and Tyler Randol at Skybrook in 2003 for the second-best round in the Richmond record book, trailing only Matthew Lowe at Lonnie Poole in 2016 (8-under 63).
If I clean up a few things, I can go even lower, Baez added. That being said, I'm very comfortable again having a lead going into the last round and very excited to see what's in store.
Joining Baez in red figures Monday was junior Quin Polin, who carded a 5-under par 67, a career best. Polin, who placed seventh at this event last year, is tied for for ninth at 7-under par (137)
Junior Jack LaPiana shot an even-par 72 in Round 2, his sixth straight even-par 72 in competition! LaPiana is tied for 45th in the field of 119 golfers at even-par (144).
Freshman Lucas Rizo-Patron provided Richmond's fourth team score Monday, an even-par 72. He is tied for 66th at 2-over par (146), one shot behind senior Drew Carlin, who is tied for 59th at 1-over par (145) after a 3-over 75 Monday.
Junior Parker Moellinger, competing as an individual, is tied for 77th at 4-over par (148).
Richmond's 12-under 276 Monday was its lowest team score since the second round of the Monterrey Collegiate Classic in October 2024 (also 12-under). The only better scores in program history are a 13-under to open the 2023 VCU Shootout and a 15-under par in the first round of the 2017 Atlantic 10 Championship.
Richmond will be seeking its second win of the season in Tuesday's final round after UR shared the top spot at its season-opening Metropolis Intercollegiate in September.
Players Mentioned
