BEAUMONT, Calif. – Chico State men's golf sits in third place heading into the final round of the Coyote Classic, with Naoki Easterday holding a top-five position with 18 holes remaining.

Host Cal State San Bernardino leads the field, holding a three-stroke advantage over CSU Monterey Bay (-10) and Colorado Mesa (-3). The Wildcats opened with a strong 4-under-par round before following it up with a 1-over-par effort to close out Monday.

Naoki Easterday led the way for Chico State, carding a 140 (-4) across the two rounds. The senior posted a 4-under opening round and followed with an even-par second round. After a triple bogey on the eighth hole in round two, Easterday rebounded with four birdies on the back nine to remain in the top five.

Vineet Vallamsetty recorded an even-par 144 through 36 holes, highlighted by nine birdies on the day. The freshman sits in solo ninth place and is in position to contend for his first top-five finish of the spring.

Alex LemMon and Ty Weaver are tied for 25th at 147 (+3) heading into the final round. LemMon turned in the Wildcats' lowest round of the afternoon with a 71 (-1).

Cooper Hambrick is tied for 54th at 154 (+10), while Collin Statler, competing as an individual, posted a 165 (+21) on the opening day.

Chico State will close out the Coyote Classic on Tuesday with an 8 a.m. start, looking to secure its best team finish of the spring.