KNOXVILLE, Tenn. -- The fourth-ranked LSU women’s golf team went about their second round in a bit of an unconditional fashion, but in the end the Lady Tigers improved their second round score by five shots and moved up one spot to ninth after two rounds of the Mercedes-Benz Women’s Championship here Saturday at the Fox Den Country Club.

On a cold, soggy Saturday that saw temperatures barely creeping into the 50s, the Lady Tigers suffered through a soggy start of their own, recording a counting 13-over par at the turn after playing the back nine first. But on the front nine as LSU came home, the Lady Tigers posted an even par counting total and finished the round right where they turned at 13-over 301, an improvement over Friday’s first round of 306.

Leading LSU were the two golfers called upon to step up for Megan McChrystal and Tessa Teachman, who were both out of the event with the flu. Junior Lindy LaBauve posted a one-over 73 in a three-bogey, two-birdie round while junior Abby Oberthier posted a two-over 74 and with her 77 on the opening day is tied for low LSU player at seven-over 151, tied for 29th.

Also in 29th is another junior Amalie Valle, who had 76 Saturday to go with a 75. The Tigers also counted a 78 from sophomore Jacqueline Hedwall. Hedwall shot two-under on the front nine, her last nine holes of the day, to get her score down to six over after turning over the first nine holes she played at eight over.

“I’m very proud of the team,” said LSU women’s golf head coach Karen Bahnsen. “Abby and Lindy had some great rounds. It was just very cold and windy and a tough day for everyone. It was very good score for our team, especially with us struggling a big at the top of the lineup. But I know they will bring it back on Sunday and we have a great chance for a nice finish.”

Host Tennessee continues to lead the event at two-under 574 (283-291), eight shots ahead of Louisville at 582 and it is 10 more shots back to South Carolina at 592. Sara-Maude Juneau is the individual leader from Louisville at three-under 141 (72-69).

The final round on Sunday begins at 8 a.m. CDT and live scoring can be found at www.LSUsports.net through golfstat.com.

Mercedes-Benz Women’s Championships

Second Round – Team Scores (Par 288-576)
1. Tennessee 283-291 – 574 -2; 2. Louisville 296-286 – 582 +6; 3. South Carolina 302-290 – 592 +16; 4. Kent State 296-300 – 596 +20; 5. Florida 304-295 – 599 +23; 6. Chattanooga 300-302 – 602 +26; 7. Ole Miss 309-296 – 605 +29; 8. Notre Dame 306-300 – 606 +30; 9. LSU 306-301 – 607 +31; 10. North Carolina State 302-307 – 609 +33; 10. TCU 314-295 – 609 +33; 12. Wake Forest 312-298 – 610 +34; 13. Tulane 304-307 – 611 +35; 14. 304-309 – 613 +37; 15. Furman 310-306 – 616 +40; 16. Ohio State 306-313 – 619 +43; 17. UTSA 309-318 – 627 +51; 18. Kentucky 322-309 – 631 +55.

Individual Top 5 (Par 72-144)
1. Sara-Maude Juneau, Louisville 72-69 – 141 -3; 2. Laura Anderson, Louisville, 72-70 – 142 -2; Nathalie Mansson, Tennessee, 71-71 – 142 -2; 4. Ginny Brown, Tennessee, 70-73 – 143 -1; 4. Diana Cantu, Tennessee, 69-74 – 143 -1.

LSU Scores
T29. Abby Oberthier 77-74 – 151 +7
T29. Amalie Valle 75-76 – 151 +7
T39. Lindy LaBauve 79-73 – 152 +8
T60. Mary Michael Maggio 75-81 – 156 +12
T67. Jacqueline Hedwall  79-78 – 157 +13