Youngstown State University
Bearcat Hammer Open
Penguins Earn Three Wins, Show Potential on Opening Day of 2020-21
10/23/2020 12:00:00 AM | Bowling
The Youngstown State bowling team went 3-2 in head-to-head Baker matches and posted the second-highest Baker game in program history as it opened the 2020-21 season on Friday at the Bearcat Hammer Invitational. The tournament is being hosted by McKendree at St. Clair Bowl in Fairview Heights, Ill.
The Penguins, who were the first YSU team to compete since the COVID-19 pandemic shut collegiate athletics down in March, are fourth in the team standings after the first day of qualifying. Youngstown State will have five more qualifying matches on Saturday and one more on Sunday before the teams are placed in a bracket to determine the final standings.
"It was great being out there competing again. I'm super proud of this group and how they were able to navigate a challenging first day together," said YSU head coach Doug Kuberski. "We had lots of newness to adapt to today, and I believe our focus on the process was rock solid. We gathered lots of information today and will bring that along with plenty of positives into the weekend. I like our chances to make a solid run."
After beating fellow Southland Bowling League team 809-753 in a low-scoring first match, the Penguins improved in each of their next three matches as they settled their lineup. YSU lost 1,030-909 to No. 7 Stephen F. Austin, which had the highest total on Friday, and it fell 963-914 to No. 1 McKendree. The Penguins then had the second-highest match total of the day in the entire field in a 1,066-897 victory over Lewis. The lineup of Madyson Marx, Alexis Sullivan, Kirsten Moore, Emma Dockery and Emma Wrenn combined to bowl the third-highest Baker set in program history, and the 265 they bowled in the final game was the second-highest total in the record book for a Baker game. YSU's final match resulted in an 833-818 victory over Upper Iowa.
The Penguins will bowl in five traditional matches on Saturday, beginning with a contest against Drury at 10:30 a.m. Eastern.
Friday's Baker Match Results
- Match 1 - W, 809-753 vs. Valparaiso
- Match 2 - L, 909-1,030 vs. #7 Stephen F. Austin
- Match 3 - L, 914-963 vs. #1 McKendree
- Match 4 - W, 1,066-897 vs. Lewis
- Match 5 - W, 833-818 vs. Upper Iowa
Saturday's Schedule
- Match 1 vs. Drury - Lanes 39 & 40
- Match 2 vs. Maryville - 27 & 28
- Match 3 vs. Upper Iowa - Lanes 35 & 36
- Match 4 vs. Lewis - Lanes 27 & 28
- Match 5 vs. McKendree - Lanes 39 & 40
