NORMAL, IL - Senior Piyathida Chaiyapan shot even-par on Saturday as a youthful Toledo squad sits in third place following the first two rounds of this weekend's Redbird Invitational. The tournament is being host by Illinois State at the Weibring Golf Course.

Ball State is leading the 17-team field at 32-over par 608 with Southern Illinois (614) and the Rockets (616) and Bowling Green (617) within 10 strokes of the lead.

"I'm extremely excited about how we played today and we're in the hunt for the tournament title," Toledo Head Coach Nicole Hollingsworth said. "Piyathada put together two phenomenal rounds, and it's also good to see the rest of our lineup come through with some solid play."

Chaiyapan led a Rockets' lineup that also includes one junior, one sophomore and two freshmen. The Bangkok, Thailand native is tied with Southern Illinois' Cassie Rushing (71-73-144) and her two-under par 70 was the lowest carded today.

Sophomore Kate Hoops (76-79=155) and junior Allison Schultz (77-79=156) are tied for 16th and 20th place, respectively, after each posted rounds in the 70s. Freshman Becky Martin is tied for 35th place at 17-over 161 (78-83), and freshman Stephanie St-Jean is tied for 75th place at 27-over 171 (85-86). Freshman Lauren Stephens is competing as an individual and is tied for 59th place at 23-over par 167 (77-90).

The tournament's final 18 holes will be played on Sunday.

Team Standings
1. Ball State 300-308=608 (+32); 2. Southern Illinois 308-306=614 (+38); 3. Toledo 305-311=616 (+40); 4. Bowling Green 307-310=617 (+41); 5. Illinois State 305-317=622 (+46); 6. Oakland 308-320=628 (+52); 7. Ohio 315-317=632 (+56); 8. Bradley 320-319=639 (+63); 9. South Dakota State 323-317=640 (+64); 10. Western Illinois 322-323=645 (+69); 11. Dayton 323-323=646 (+70); 12. Drake 321-329=650 (+74); 13. Detroit 328-330=658 (+82); 14. Illinois Wesleyan 336-337=673 (+97); 15. Evansville 337-340=677 (+101); 16. Eastern Kentucky 348-341=689 (+113); 17. Illinois-Chicago 358-355=713 (+137)

Individual Standings
T1. Piyathida Chaiyapan (Toledo) 74-70=144 (E)
; T1. Cassie Rushing (SIU) 71-73=144 (E); 3. Brittany Hanten (SDSU) 74-73=147 (+3); 4. Meghan Perry (BSU) 71-77=148 (+4); 5. Shelby Wilson (BGSU) 72-77=149 (+5)

Toledo Individuals
T1. Piyathida Chaiyapan 74-70=144 (E); T16. Kate Hoops 76-79=155 (+11); T20. Allison Schultz 77-79=156 (+12);  T35. Becky Martin 78-83=161 (+17); Ind.-T59. Lauren Stephens 77-90=167 (+23); T75. Stephanie St-Jean 85-86=171 (+27)

UTRockets.com  - Your Source for Rocket Sports
Like Toledo Rockets  on Facebook!
Follow the Rockets on Twitter @UTRocketsDotCom