The Youngstown State bowling team knocked off a pair of top-10-ranked opponents and posted the third-highest pinfall on Friday at the SFA Ladyjack Classic.
The Penguins totaled 5,098 pins over five Baker matches at Sheridan Lanes on Friday, which equated to an average of 203.9 over 25 games. YSU trails Jacksonville State and Nebraska in the team standings, and the Guins hold a 21-pin lead over fourth-place Vanderbilt and a 50-pin edge over Arkansas State.
"Overall, I'm proud of our effort. All 10 ladies played a vital role in our success today," said YSU head coach Doug Kuberski. "We're elevating our togetherness and communication across the board. After an evening of good food and rest, we will go over our notes and continue working towards being our best. We're excited for the rest of weekend."
YSU went with the same lineup throughout the day, with Jade Cote, Ellie Drescher, Madison Doseck, Kirsten Moore and Madyson Marx. That group began the morning with a 1,035-973 victory over No. 2 Arkansas State, and the Penguins won their next two matches by larger margins against Lewis (1,071-939) and No. 20 UW-Whitewater (1,045-888). Youngstown State then earned another top 10 victory by beating No. 9 Maryville 1,014-973 to improve to 4-0 in the session, and the Penguins dropped their final match 940-933 to No. 22 Tulane. YSU left three splits over the final five frames against the Green Wave, including an unlucky 4-9 for Moore on a shot in the pocket.
Youngstown State will bowl five more matches of qualifying on Saturday in the traditional round, which begins at 10:25 a.m. Eastern.
Match 1 vs. #2 Arkansas State
Starting Lineup: Cote, Drescher, Doseck, Moore, Marx
W | 1,036-973
Match 2 vs. Lewis
Starting Lineup: Cote, Drescher, Doseck, Moore, Marx
W | 1,071-939
Match 3 vs. #20 UW-Whitewater
Starting Lineup: Cote, Drescher, Doseck, Moore, Marx
W | 1,045-888
Match 4 vs. #9 Maryville
Starting Lineup: Cote, Drescher, Doseck, Moore, Marx
W | 1,014-973
Match 5 vs. #22 Tulane
Starting Lineup: Cote, Drescher, Doseck, Moore, Marx
L | 933-940
