NEWPORT, R.I. - Logan Blondell owned the day's lowest round for the Georgia Southern golf team, firing a 3-under par 69 second round, and senior Ryan Zabroske stands in second place with a 4-under 140 after two rounds of play at the Adams Cup of Newport. The sub-par rounds from the upperclassmen helped lead Georgia Southern to a second-place standing, one shot out of first place, after shooting a team combined two-round 584. The final round of action will take place tomorrow on the par 72, 7,244 yard Orchard Course at Newport National Golf Club.

"It was a good day for the team. We played solid and hung in there after the weather conditions started to fade. It got windy and cool in the second round, so the greens started to get tough and dry, but the team did a good job of adjusting to the conditions," said head coach Larry Mays.

With the help of 14 birdies and 59 pars, Georgia Southern shared part of second place with Southern Methodist after the opening round, carding a team total 291 (+3). A second round 293 gave the Eagles sole ownership of second place as SMU slipped into third with a second-round 294. New Mexico retained the lead after the opening round, compiling a two-round total 583 (287-296).

Senior Zabroske sits two strokes back of individual leader Jeb Buchanan of Connecticut (138), with a 4-under 140. The Alpharetta, Ga., native fired consecutive rounds of 2-under par 70s for his opening day total. The senior launched eight birdies and four bogeys en route to his sub-par tally.

Blondell catapulted from a 24th place tie after round one to a final fourth place finish after his second-round 69. The junior Eagle shaved five strokes off his opening round score to sit at 1-under par for the day.  

"Both Ryan [Zabroske] and Logan [Blondell] showed great leadership on the course for us today," stated Mays. "We were able to shoot two solid rounds of golf today behind Ryan's effort. We are proud of Ryan for his solid performance. And Logan had a great second round with his 69."

Fellow junior Joe Monte wrapped up day one with a 150 (+6). Monte, a native of Chantilly, Va., posted opening rounds of 74 and 76, respectively, to finish in a tie for 29th.

As weather conditions started to alter play, senior Spencer Fulford stumbled in the second round, carding a 78 behind a 73 opening round showing, to complete day one with a 151 (+7). The Rocky Mount, N.C., native stands in a 33rd-place tie. Rounding out the lineup for the Eagles, redshirt-freshman Florian Sander sits in a 52nd-place tie with a two-round total 156 (+12).

"We had the chance to play really well today and we just didn't get a solid fourth score. In order for us to win tomorrow, we will need four good rounds," said Mays. "We are looking forward to the challenge that faces us in the final round."

The final round of competition at the 16th Annual Adams Cup of Newport will take place, Tuesday, September 22.