Women's golf wins Stones River Shootout

MURFREESBORO, Tenn. - The Middle Tennessee women's golf team won over in-state foes Austin Peay and Belmont in their first ever home event on Tuesday at Stones River Country Club (6,119 yards). Defending Sun Belt Player of the Month Morgan Hale led the 22-player field by three strokes with a two-over 73.

"It was nice for everybody to be able to come out and watch us," said Hale. "The conditions were really tough out there, but I think I hit the ball pretty well today."

The Blue Raiders would finish the day with a 34-over 318. Austin Peay and Belmont carded a 53-over 337 and a 54-over 338, respectively.

"It wasn't what I expected," said Coach Chris Adams. "The golf course played a little harder than we anticipated with winds gusting up to 30 miles-per-hour, and the greens were very firm and very fast. Morgan had a great round, but we struggled a little bit."

Clara Leathers, coming off a career performance over the weekend, was second on the team and tied for third in the event with a 7-over 78. Karisa Akin finished tied for eighth, carding a 10-over 81.

Freshmen Olivia Love and Ashley Haggard each shot a 15-over 86, tying for 12th.

Stephanie Smith and Steph Gough competed in the event as individuals. Smith finished in 7th with a 9-over 80, and Gough tied for eighth with a 10-over 81.

After playing three events in the past nine days, Middle Tennessee will now prepare for the Sun Belt Conference Championships, which will be held April 19-21 in Muscle Shoals, Ala.

"We have a lot of work to do for the conference tournament," said Adams. "But we'll take the win."

TEAM SCORES
1. Middle Tennessee, 318 (+34)
2. Austin Peay, 337 (+53)
3. Belmont, 338 (+54)

MT SCORES
1. Morgan Hale, 73 (+2)
T3. Clara Leathers, 78 (+7)
7. Stephanie Smith, 80 (+9)
T8. Karisa Akin, 81 (+10)
T8. Steph Gough, 81 (+10)
T12. Olivia Love, 86 (+15)
T12. Ashley Haggard, 86 (+15)
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