Barton's team score of 292 was the best in the Atlantic Regional and second-best in the super regional. Combined with Monday's round of 307, the Bulldogs have a two-day score of 599 and still trail Atlantic leader and Conference Carolinas rival Belmont Abbey College by 12 strokes (294-293--587) with today's final round remaining.

"We're not really too worried about them right now," Barton head coach John Hackney said of the Crusaders. "We're just trying to make sure we're in the top five."

The Bulldogs are in sixth place in the super regional, two strokes behind No. 5 Newberry (Ga.) College. A top-five finish in the super regional would send Barton to its fourth NCAA Div. II tournament in the past six years.

"We're in good position," Hackney said. "We just have to play similar golf today."

Leading the charge, freshman Daniel Castleberry fired a 33-37--70 on the par-72, 7,037-yard The Point Lake And Golf Club course near Lake Norman. Castleberry, who had five birdies, is now tied for third in the individual race with a 147, six strokes behind leader Connor Tomlinson of Belmont Abbey.

"Another tremendous round for a freshman," Hackney said of Castleberry. "He plays well beyond his years."

Also picking up the pace for Barton was senior Neal Jones, who sliced 10 strokes off his first-round score with a 36-34--70 that also included five birdies.

Sophomore Stephen Harrison has produced a steady 76-76--152 but Hackney points out that a "breakout round" by the Greenfield School product could be push Barton needs today.

Hackney cited improved putting as a reason for knocking 15 strokes off Monday's team score.

"We had five 3-putts yesterday and nine the first day," Hackney said, noting the Bulldogs hit 83 percent of the fairways in regulation and 70 percent of the greens in regulation.

More of same will be necessary for the Bulldogs to book a trip to Houston, site of the Div. II championship.

But as Hackney reminded: "We kind of like it with our backs against the wall. The guys are pumped up and ready today."

The Bulldogs teed off at 8:50 this morning.

"We're where we want to be," Hackney said. "That's what we spend the year doing -- trying to get to the national tournament -- and now we've just got to finish the deal."

TEAM SCORES

Belmont Abbey 587, Barton 599, Mount Olive 607, Coker 608, Anderson 610, Fayetteville 611, Pfeiffer 635, Virginia State 646.

BARTON INDIVIDUALS

t3 Daniel Castleberry 147, t11 Neal Jones 150, t11 Jonathan Burke 150, t15 Stephen Harrison 152, t30 Joe Elwell 159.