March 12, 2012
Day 2 Results
Day 3 Tee Times
Parks Audio
Photo Gallery 
CHOUDRANT, La. - For the second straight day senior Cody Blankenship fired a red number to lead Louisiana Tech in the 2012 Argent Financial Classic hosted by the Bulldogs at Squire Creek Country Club.
Blankenship shot his second consecutive one-under-par 71. He owns a two-under-par total of 142 and currently sits in a tie for second place, one shot behind LSU's Smylie Kaufman (65-76=141) along with LSU's Sang Yi and Middle Tennessee's Brad Simons. Blankenship's road consisted of three birdies, two bogies and 13 pars.
"Cody shot one under again today," said Tech head coach Jeff Parks. "He is one back of the lead. He was impressive. He was calm, cool, collected today. He seems to be on top of his game. He has a great chance to win the golf tournament. I'm excited for him.
"The team played well today. We didn't play great; we didn't play terrible. LSU did what LSU does. We are going to have to play great to win. They aren't going to give it to us. We gave up a few shots, and they played how they normally play. That is why they are 20th in the nation.
"Hopefully tomorrow we can play better golf and take it back from them. We know where we are, and we know what we have to do. Six shots back is doable. I'd rather be six ahead but that's how it works."
After leading after the opening 18 holes, the Bulldogs shot a six-over-par 294 to fall six strokes behind 20th ranked LSU. The Tigers were led by Austin Gutgsell's 69 and Andrew Presley's 70 as they shot a second round team total of four-under-par 284.
LSU (292-284=576) and LA Tech (288-294=582) are first and second followed by 46th ranked Middle Tennessee (292-295=587), Jacksonville State (303-289=592), Arkansas-Little Rock (297-296=593), Southern Mississippi (299-295=594), UTSA (301-296=597), Missouri State (299-299=598) and Rice (310-300=610).
In addition to Blankenship's impressive day for the Bulldogs, senior Cody Santone shot a one-over-par 73 - which included three birdies, two bogeys and one double bogey - as he sits in a tie for 11th place along with teammate Sam Forgan. Forgan shot a two-over-par 74, which included six birdies, eight bogeys and four pars.
Patrick Blunt (74-76=150, T28th) and Travis Wilmore (75-76=151, T33rd) both shot four-over-par 76 during the second day.
The Bulldogs also have three golfers competing as individuals during the event, as Jonathan Bale (74-72=146, T18th) shot an even-par 72 today while Jack Lempke (76-76=152, T37th) shot a 76 and Chandler Vilcheck (84-83=167, 56th) recorded an 83.
Tuesday's final round will begin at 8 a.m. as all 56 competitors will tee off by 9:30 a.m.
