Cal State golf team in the lead with 18 holes left

The Cal State San Bernardino golf team is closing in on their first national title in any sport.

 The team shot an 11-over 295 at the NCAA Division II Golf Championships Thursday at Loomis Trail Golf Club in Blaine, Wash., for a 54-hole total of 27-over 879. The Coyotes take an eight-stroke lead into today's final round. Barry (Fla.) is second at 887, while CCAA champion Sonoma State and No. 1-ranked Columbus State are another stroke back.

"We have some veteran players and they know they can't get too far ahead of themselves, especially in this sport," Coyotes coach Tom Mainez said. "We're in great position. Now we just have to go out and finish the job."

The Coyotes had the best round of the day for the second day in a row. They started play tied for second but junior Gene Webster helped propel the Coyotes into the lead.

Webster heads the 107-man field by two strokes over Wayne State's Steve Cuzzort, a transfer from Michigan State, and Indiana-Pennsylvania's Gavin Smith. Webster had a 1-over 72 to put him at even (213) par for the tournament. He had an adventurous second round on Wednesday, but he had a consistent third round that included 15 pars, two bogeys and one birdie.

Junior Joe Alldis and senior Micah Burke are part of a four-way tie for 10th at 7-over 220.

Alldis had his best round of the tournament with a 2-over 73. Rounding out the scoring for the Coyotes are Thomas Chu at 77-227 and Kenny Pigman, normally the team's No. 2 player, at 80-231.

"We have some guys that really have stepped up," Mainez said. "Pigman is capable of better and I have to think he is going to come out and shoot a great 18 holes tomorrow."

The Coyotes will start at the first tee with their first player at 12:50 p.m.