Richmond, TX (Sports Network) - Defending champion Nathan Smith was a 2 & 1 winner over Nicholas Biesecker on Tuesday to advance to the quarterfinals at the U.S. Mid-Amateur Championship.

Smith, a three-time winner of this event, advanced to face Mike Stamberger, who beat 2010 Senior Amateur champ Paul Simson 2 & 1 at Shadow Hawk Golf Club. Stamberger simply ran out of holes, cutting a five-hole deficit with nine to play to two before his time ran out.

Smith needs to win only three more matches to become the first four-time winner of this championship.

Stroke-play medalist Mike McCaffrey also advanced -- in much more dominant fashion with a 7 & 6 thrashing of Anthony Barrera. McCaffrey never lost a hole and led from the very start and will now face Randal Lewis, a 1-up winner over Scott Harvey.

Smith never trailed after wins in six of the first seven holes put him 5-up, but he lost three straight from the 10th to see his lead down to two.

He managed to par the 13th to take a 3-up lead, and a par on the 17th ended the match in favor of Smith.

McCaffrey won six of the first eight holes, and his par on the 12th ended the match with room to spare.

Other winners included John Engler, who beat Michael McCoy 5 & 4 and will face Michael Muehr, a 3 & 2 winner over Kris Mikkelsen. Tony Behrstock beat Aaron Hickman, 2 & 1, and will battle Kenny Cook, a 2 & 1 winner over Matthew Smith.

The quarterfinals and semifinals will be staged on Wednesday before the 36- hole final is played Thursday.

09/20 20:17:50 ET