The Pinecrest boys' golf team is solidly entrenched in first place in the Mid-Southeastern Conference after winning its fifth consecutive match at Scotch Meadows on Wednesday.

Austin Dunlap and Sam Packard each shot a round of 75 for the Patriots to share medalist honors with Matt Ritch of Scotland County. Pete Lineberger finished with a 76 and Bryan Stewart carded a 77 to complete the Patriot team score of 303.

The other team scores were Jack Britt, 323, Richmond Senior, 341, Scotland, 342, Hoke County, 390, and Douglas Byrd, 431. The match had been postponed from Monday because of a tornado watch in Scotland County.

The remaining league matches are scheduled for a week from Monday (April 20) at Stryker Golf Course in Fayetteville and the following week at Pinehurst No. 1.

"I cannot believe this season is coming to a close," said Sandy Sackmann, coach of the defending state 4-A champion Pinecrest squad. "I have been so impressed with this team and their desire to win and have another chance at the states. I cannot say enough about all of them. They know what they need to do to get there."

On Tuesday, Pinecrest defeated Apex by two strokes in a non-conference match held at MacGregor Downs Country Club. Lineberger, Dunlap, Stewart and Matt Forbis each shot a 75 for the Patriots. The medalist was John Connors of Apex with a 73.

Packard, Stewart, Lineberger, Forbis and Colin Jameson will represent Pinecrest at a CGA junior invitational tournament to be held at Treyburn Country Club in Durham on Monday.