Junior Mike Klinge took eight strokes off his best score at Indian Foothills with a 48 during the Owls' dual against Sacred Heart. (Chris Allen/Democrat-News) [Click to enlarge]

The Marshall boys' golf team turned to its supporting cast Wednesday for a home dual match against Sacred Heart of Sedalia.

While the top five took the day off, six of the Owls' eight players posted their lowest scores yet on Indian Foothills Golf Course -- although the Gremlins claimed the victory, 183 to 208, behind the 41 turned in by senior medalist Jaron Lucchesi.

Marshall had two players break 50, both for the first time: junior Mike Klinge beat his best previous score on the links by eight strokes with a 48 and junior Connor Thomas -- in his first outing of the season -- shaved 10 strokes off his standard with a 49.

"We have not had a chance to play some of these players much lately, so I felt this would be a great opportunity for them," explained MHS coach Erek Dusenberry. "Even in the very windy conditions, I felt like these young players did well."

Neither Klinge or Thomas factored into the team total, as they were officially listed as junior varsity entries, so freshman Nathan Sullivan's 50 -- eight strokes under his personal best at IFGC -- led the Owls (3-5). Freshman Robbie Gorrell matched his low score with a 51 and sophomore Tylere Dowell came in one stroke under at 52. Freshman Austin Thiel rounded out the team tally with a 53, only one stroke over his top mark.

"This was the first match most of them ever played with the ball down throughout the match," Dusenberry said. "Dealing with bad lies, et cetera, is always trying -- but for the first time, it's real hard."

Also competing for Marshall were freshman Quaid Hayob with a 56 and freshman Jake Hartley at 62.

"All in all, I think their success in this match shows how hard these players have been working this spring -- in some really tough weather conditions -- to get better," Dusenberry asserted.

The Owls' starting line-up will be back in action Saturday when they take part in the Kirksville Tournament.