FLORENCE, S.C. - Junior Josh Nichols strung together solid rounds of 70 and 71 on Monday at the Spring Hill Suites Invitational to lead Appalachian State University men's golf. The Mountaineers carded a 297-293=590 (+14) to stand 13th at the event, while Nichols is tied for sixth place heading into Tuesday's final round.

The Kernersville, N.C. native knocked in nine birdies on the day, including a tournament-best two on par-threes.

Daniel Walsh finished the day six strokes behind Nichols at 73-74=147 (+3) for 31st place, while sophomore Casey Komline shaved three strokes off his first-round tally with a 76-73=149 (+5) in 44th place.

Newcomer Jason Woodall fired a 78-75=153 (+11) for 67th place and Dustin Hudson placed 75th with a pair of 78s on the day 156 (+12).

Furman leads the field of 15 teams with a 36-hole tally of 571 (-5), two strokes ahead of Samford. Also from the Southern Conference, College of Charleston stands in third place at 575 (-1), Georgia Southern is seventh at 582 (+6), Elon ranks ninth at 584 (+8) and Western Carolina is one stroke behind the Apps in 14th place.

The final 18 holes will be contested on Tuesday beginning at 8:30 a.m. The 54-hole event is being played on the 7,062-yard, par 72 Country Club of South Carolina course.