BAJA, Mexico ? Junior Bari Erais (Lethbridge, Alberta/Lethbridge Collegiate Institute) fired a final-round 79 and joined senior Rikki Sobel (Deerfield, Ill./Deerfield) in the top five, as the duo helped the Bradley women's golf team to a fourth-place finish at the Baja Invitational at the par 72 Bajamar Resort.
Fog in the area delayed the start of Tuesday's final round. Bradley, which opened the day in fourth place, maintained its place in final team standings by shooting a 319 to finish fourth in the nine-team field with a three-round total of 953 to open the spring schedule. The fourth-place showing matched the Braves best finish from the fall slate.
Erais tied her low-round of the tournament with a final round 76 and finished fourth with a total of 230. Sobel shot a third-round 80 to edge Erais by one shot and finish in a tie for second place at 229. Sobel finished five shots behind individual medalist Tyrette Metzendorf of Iowa.
Senior Whitney Cox (Edmonton, Alberta/Harry Ainlay) carded her third consecutive 79 to finish in a tie for 10th at 237. Freshman Breanne Neufeld (Coaldale, Alberta/Coaldale) turned in her best round of the tournament during Tuesday's action, shooting an 84 to finish in 40th place at 257. Junior Lauren Downing (Rockton, Ill./Hononeagh) rounded out the scoring for Bradley with a final round 96 to finish 51st at 273.
Iowa claimed the team title with a three-round total of 941. Kennesaw State was six shots behind the Hawkeyes in second place at 947. Southern Illinois turned in the best round of the day with a 313 and finished in third at 950.
The Braves were three shots behind the Salukis in fourth place at 953 after a final round 319. Tournament co-host Southern Miss was eight shots back of Bradley in fifth at 961, while Drake and North Texas were tied for sixth at 981. USC Upstate finished eighth at 990. Northern Illinois completed the field in ninth place with a three-round total of 1028.
Bradley returns to action March 7-9 at the Rio Verde Invitational in Rio Verde, Ariz.
