OLYMPIA FIELDS, Ill. – After securing a spot in match play via a playoff earlier in the day, ETSU senior Adrian Meronk couldn’t advance as the Buccaneer leader dropped his match to Maverick Antcliff 1-up on Wednesday evening at the 115th U.S. Amateur Championship from Olympia Fields Country Club.

Following stroke play, 18 golfers moved to a playoff to claim 10 open spots for match play. After finishing on the cut line with a 3-over 143, Meronk secured his position in match play by recording a birdie on the par-5, 539-yard 18th, his second playoff hole.

However, after getting off to a strong start in his match against Antcliff, Meronk couldn’t hold off the Augusta, Ga., native.

Meronk went 3-up after winning three of the first five holes, but Antcliff moved within one by claiming the par-5 No. 6 and the par-4 No. 9. From there, Meronk remained 1-up until Antcliff pulled all-square with his par putt on the par-4 12th. The Buccaneer All-American quickly went back up one by registering a birdie on the par-4 14th, but Meronk’s lead vanished when Antcliff won consecutive holes on Nos. 16 and 17, while both golfers parred the par-4 18th to conclude the match.

ETSU’s Chris Hickman, who began stroke play Tuesday tied for 30th at even-par, recorded three bogeys and two double-bogeys on the front nine of the North Course, moving the Buccaneer senior to 7-over-par for the tournament. The Centreville, Md., native was on the back nine when play was suspended Tuesday and wrapped up his round Wednesday morning, finishing at 13-over 153 to miss the cut for match play.