DiLisio helps Team Massachusetts in N.E. Junior Amateur Invitational

SEEKONK – Steven DiLisio of Swampscott had a strong opening day to help Team Massachusetts to a 12-stroke lead after the second round of the New England Junior Invitational being held this week at Ledgemont Country Club in Seekonk.DiLisio (Salem CC) shot a 1-under par 70 in both rounds Tuesday and with his teammate, Jimmy Hervol (Hopkinton CC), recording a day-low score of 2-under par 69, Team Massachusetts put itself in the driver?s seat heading into today?s final round.This annual event that is sponsored by the New England Golf Association (NEGA) features seven players from each of the six New England states who compete in 54 holes of stroke play over a two-day period. The format for the championship is the best five of seven scores for each of three rounds.If successful on Wednesday, Team Massachusetts will have captured three titles in the last four years. It will also mark the first time that the Bay State will have claimed back-to-back titles since 1996-97. In addition to a team title, there is also an individual title up for grabs and DiLisio is currently in the lead.With a two-round score of 2-under par 140, the former St. John?s Prep star, who is heading to Phillips Andover this fall, holds a three-stroke lead over Hervol.?It was a solid team effort and I was very happy with our overall performance today,” said Scott Whitcomb, team captain for Massachusetts. “Our boys kept their focus all day, and I was especially happy with how they responded in the afternoon.”Following the morning round of play, Connecticut held a two-stroke lead thanks in part to a 1-under par 70 round by Andrew Sciarretta (Brooklawn CC) and two even par 71 rounds by Evan Grenus (TPC River Highlands) and Connor O?Brien (Oak Hills Park GC). So solid was the play of Connecticut that the top and low scorer from that round were separated by just six strokes.Team Massachusetts displayed equal depth and was led during the morning hours by DiLisio with a 1-under par 70 and 2014 Massachusetts Junior Amateur Champion Matthew Naumec (CC of Wilbraham) carding an even par 71.While the fatigue of a 36-hole first day took its toll on some, the Bay State team surged and turned that two-stroke deficit into a 12-stroke advantage with just 18 holes remaining.Once again, DiLisio came through with a 1-under par 70 round to stand as the only competitor to post two sub-par rounds on day one. It was Hervol, however, who carded the low round of the day — a 2-under par 69 — to pace Team Massachusetts.The University of Connecticut-bound Hervol registered five birdies through his final 18 holes. Matt Organisak (Nashawtuc CC) carded a second round of 1-over par 72 while Jackson Lang (Nashawtuc CC) and Jake Ratti (Harmon Club) both finished with scores of 2-over par 72.Team Connecticut is in second place, 12 strokes behind, followed by Maine, which is 16 strokes off the lead. Rhode Island, New Hampshire and Vermont round out the pack.