Lions hold on to top spot

~ Lindenwood University topped Missouri Baptist by five strokes for the national tourney berth.

Lindenwood University and Missouri Baptist University took their rivalry two hours south this week and made Dalhousie Golf Club the site of a deciding fifth duel between the two NAIA schools.

The two schools, who had split in four previous encounters this season, were the overwhelming favorites to claim the automatic bid for the national tournament that went to the champion of the NAIA Regional V tournament, which was a 54-hole, two-day event among nine teams at Dalhousie.

The Lions (886) emerged with a five-stroke victory over Missouri Baptist (891), while third-place William Woods (924) was another 33 strokes back.

The St. Louis-area schools demonstrated their rivalry can play out in dramatic fashion anywhere.

On Tuesday, it had Lindenwood freshman Kyle Gray, playing in the final threesome, looking a little distraught on the 18th hole as he approached a small gathering of fans and competitors greenside.

"It's not looking good," Gray muttered. "He's made everything he's looked at."

"He" was Missouri Baptist's Erik Rios, who was on the green with a 10-foot birdie putt.

Rios then gave the group a sampling of what Gray had been witnessing. Rios' birdie nestled up to the hole and sat on the lip for about 20 seconds as the threesome gathered around the ball and debated whether it would drop. The discussion was put to rest when the ball disappeared in the cup, giving Rios a tournament-low round of 4-under-par 68.

The putt gave Rios a six-stroke edge over Gray on the day and took a big bite out of the eight-shot lead Lindenwood took into the final round.

Gray's communication with teammates during the round had been confined to sophomore Brock Robillard, who was playing in the group ahead with Missouri Baptist's Chris Naegel. And the news wasn't good. Missouri Baptist, which was looking to pick up two shots in every group, had picked up all eight of its strokes in the final two groups. Naegel shot a 73 while Robillard shot a 75.

"Luckily, our three and four guys played well," Gray said.

Robin Vallis and Blaine Kruger helped restore order for Lindenwood, defeating their opponents by five shots, with rounds of 74 and 76, respectively.

After Rios and Naegel, Missouri Baptist's lowest scores belonged to Danny Manselle (77) and Josh Roetemeyer (78).

The long-hittingVallis, the only senior among Lindenwood's top golfers, preserved his round by resorting to a 2-iron off the tee over the final four holes. The conservative approach didn't cost him much distance, as his 2-irons still traveled 260 yards, and the strategy allowed him to play the final four holes in 1-over par.

Lindenwood coach Roger Ellis said his team keeps statistics on the final four holes of a round and stresses keeping rounds together going down the stretch.

"Before we start a tournament, we have a plan on how we're going to play each hole, and how we're going to play each hole at different times -- first day, second day and third day," Ellis said.

A day earlier, Vallis took a triple-bogey on the 17th hole after getting in trouble with his driver. The plan on Tuesday was for Vallis to keep his driver in the bag down the stretch.

"I hit 2-iron off the tee to give myself a chance to hit the greens," Vallis said. "It works out good for me under pressure."

Rios finished medalist for the tournament with a three-round total of 216.

"That was an absolutely great round," Missouri Baptist coach John Dickey said of Rios' 68. "I told the guys, those eight strokes we could make up, and to get a performance like that ... he almost single-handedly did that himself."

Lindenwood's Gray (219), Robbilard ( 220) and Vallis (221) occupied the next three spots, followed by Naegel (222).

Lindenwood advances to the national tournament May 16 to 19 at Prairie Highlands Golf Course in Olathe, Kan.

Missouri Baptist will likely receive an at-large bid.

"I honestly think we can crack the top five at nationals," Robillard said.

Team scores

1. Lindenwood 886, 2. Missouri Baptist 891, 3. Williams Woods 924, 4. Baker 938, 5. Graceland 941, 6. Missouri Valley 941, 7. Culver-Stockton 959, 8. McKendree 960, 9. William Jewell 969

Individual scores

1. Erik Rios, Missouri Baptist, 71-77-68--216, 2. Kyle Gray, Lindenwood, 75-70-74--219, 3. Brock Robillard 71-74-75-- 220, 4. Robin Vallis, Lindenwood, 73-74-74--221, 5. Chris Naegel, Missouri Baptist, 74-75-73--222, 6. Caleb Flaxey, Missouri Valley, 73-74-79--226, 7 (t). Blaine Kruger, Lindenwood, 73-78-76--227, 7 (t). David Tregemba, Baker, 77-75-75--227, 7 (t). Jordan Dye, Culver-Stockton, 77-79-71--227, 10. James Lemley, William Woods, 75-78-75--228