Youngstown State University
Bearcat Hammer Open
Penguins Post Second-Best Saturday Total, Sit Fourth Heading into Final Day
10/24/2020 12:00:00 AM | Bowling
The Youngstown State bowling team won three more matches and had the second-best traditional round in the field at the Bearcat Hammer Open on Saturday at St. Clair Bowl in Fairview Heights, Ill.
The Penguins toted 4,696 pins in their five matches, which was behind only No. 1-ranked McKendree, the tournament's host. Youngstown State will bowl one more team match on Sunday morning against Maryville before bracket play begins. If the Penguins can remain in the top four after the Maryville match, it will be in the top half of the bracket and would need two consecutive victories to win the tournament. YSU has a 278-pin edge on fifth-place Lewis.
"Overall, I'm very pleased with our execution and communication," YSU head coach Doug Kuberski said. "This is a challenging environment, and the ladies are maintaining a great approach to it. We'll enjoy a relaxing night together and look to continue elevating our game."
Similarly to Friday, YSU started the round with a low score but improved as the day went on. The Penguins lost their opening match 875-837 to Drury, but they won their next three matches and didn't dip below 935 the rest of the round. The run of victories started with a 938-923 win over No. 18 Maryville in which Kirsten Moore and Emma Dockery both doubled in the 10th frame to hold off the Saints.
YSU then topped Upper Iowa 987-799 behind three 200 games, and the Penguins beat Lewis 975-860 to improve to 3-1. Sarah Florence delivered the highest game of the day by a Penguin with a 233 versus the Flyers. Youngstown State threatened No. 1 McKendree in the 10th frame in the final match of the day but came up just short, 980-959.
Four Penguins are ranked in the top 15 individually, with Dockery leading the way in eighth place at 963. Freshman Madyson Marx bowled at least 198 in her final three games to post a total of 956 and sits 10th. Moore, another freshman, fired a 13th-place total of 927, and Emma Wrenn shook off a rough first game to average 198 over her final four to end the day in 15th with a 925. Three other Penguins combined for the fifth spot in the lineup, and Florence came in for the final two matches and registered the 233 against Lewis and a 212 against McKendree.
Sunday's action at the Bearcat Hammer Open will begin at 9:30 a.m. Eastern. Video of the Penguins' matches will be streamed live on the YSUsports YouTube channel.
Saturday's Traditional Match Results
- Match 1 vs. Drury – L, 837-875
- Match 2 vs. #18 Maryville – W, 938-923
- Match 3 vs. Upper Iowa – W, 987-799
- Match 4 vs. Lewis – W, 975-860
- Match 5 vs. #1 McKendree – L, 959-980
