MCDERMOTT - It was a two man battle, but a third man stole the show. All the attention was being focused on Clay's Ryan Hines and South Webster's Corey Lawhun chasing player of the year honors in the SOC I. Josh Riddlebarger, playing in the same group, quietly made his way around the course and with the help of a pair of chip-ins fired a one-under par 35.

“I didn't play too well the first five holes, I was 2-over,” said Riddlebarger. “I luckily chipped one in on six, I was able to get some spin on it. Then, on nine, it somehow went in for eagle on about a 40-yard chip shot.”

The effort gave Riddlebarger medalist honors at the match. Lawhun shot an even par 36 to finish just one shot off the pace and Clay's Nik Blanton fired a 37 and Roman Slone of Eastern Pike delivered a 38.

Clay finished with a team score of 154. Behind Riddlebarger's one-under par and Blanton's 37, was Hines' 41 and Evan Keaton who also shot a 41 to round the scoring for Clay.

Clay's three-man, Blanton, shot a season low 37.

“I came in and shot a 37 today after two not-so-good rounds,” said Blanton. “I was feeing kind of warm and fuzzy inside about it. We've been playing strong all year, we've already set the school record (this year).”

South Webster shot a 164 as a team. Behind Lawhun's 36, was a 41 by Kyle Ramey, a 43 by Matt Haywood, and Corey Jackson came in with a 44.

Lawhun bettered Clay's No. 1 man, Hines, by five strokes. Hines shot a 41, going out of bounds on two different holes. Lawhun's round gives him a five-shot advantage going into the fourth and final SOC match at Shawnee State Park Golf Course on Wednesday.

“It's not over by any means yet,” said Lawhun. “But it feels pretty good, right now, to be leading. I've played three sound rounds of golf. I've went out, hit the golf ball when it needed to be, made some putts, and shot three pretty good scores. Hopefully, I can go to Shawnee Wednesday and put up another good number.”

Lawhun says that he's just going to do what he's been doing and not worry about the people chasing him.

“I'm just going to go out and play my own game,” said Lawhun. “That's what I've done the first three and it's what I plan to do Wednesday.”

Lawhun is operating under the practice of ‘If it's not broke don't fix it.'

“It's worked well for me now,” he said. “Might as well keep doing what works.”

Hines, who now trails by five strokes, says he is going try to follow the lead of his teammates who played well Monday evening.

“I'm going to try to play as good as I can,” said Hines. “I was inspired by the play of Nik (Blanton) and Josh (Riddlebarger) tonight. I'm just going to go out there and whatever happens happens.”

Eastern Pike finished third in the match with score of 210. Following Slone's 38, Bryan Osborne shot a 42, Gill shot a 58 and Jenny Smith checked in with a 72.

Western Pike came in with a team total of 229. The low-man for the Indians was Vince Shanks with a 45. Next was Cody Leith with a 57 and Ben Nichols and Jacob Leslie both finished with 62.

Green came in with a team total of 266. Cassidy Skaggs came in with a 61, Brad Sanders and Cam Zorns both checked in with 68's and Zach Salisbury fired a 69.

For Notre Dame Will Angelos shot a 41 and Julie Hamer fired a 59.

BRET BEVENS can be reached at (740)-353-3101 ext. 242

Medalist - Josh Riddlebarger (Clay) 35.

Clay - Josh Riddlebarger 35, Nik Blanton 37, Ryan Hines 41, Evan Keaton 41.

South Webster - Corey Lawhun 36, Kyle Ramey 41, Matt Haywood 43, Corey Jackson 44

Eastern Pike - Roman Slone 38, Bryan Osborne 42, Gill 58, Jenny Williams 72

Western Pike - Vince Shanks 45, Cody Lieth 57, Ben Nichols 62, Jacob Leslie 62

Green - Cassidy Skaggs 61, Brad Sanders 68, Cam Zorns 68, Zach Salisbury 69

Notre Dame - Will Angelos 41, Julie Hamer 59.