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Kent State takes first place by five strokes heading into Sunday's final round

FISHERS, Ind. – On the shoulders of two solid rounds by sophomore Erin Hawe (Walton, New Zealand) and senior Mercedes Germino (Necochea, Argentina), the Kent State women's golf team moved into first place Saturday on day two at the 2012 Mid-American Conference Women's Golf Championships.

Although rain and storms delayed Kent State's tee times, the Golden Flashes combined to shoot a 19-over 307 to take a five-stroke lead heading into Sunday's final round.

Hawe shot even par 36 on the back nine on her way to a two-over 74 to move up to second place overall through the tournament's first two rounds. Hawe tallied a birdie on the par-5 No. 4 along the way, moving up from a tie for seventh place on Friday.

Germino was also on the move, shooting a one-over 73 to vault to third place. Birdies on No. 8 and No. 12 helped Germino recover from two early round bogeys for the second-lowest round of the day. Including Hawe and Germino, just four players shot at or below 75 today.

Senior Shamira Marshall (Macedonia, Ohio) slipped to a tie for fourth place after shooting 81 on Saturday. Senior Mandi Morrow (Kent, Ohio) and freshman Jennifer Ha (Calgary, Alberta) both shot 80 on Saturday for the Golden Flashes.

Kent State will again be in the final pairings with second-place Toledo and Ball State, beginning at 10:10 a.m.