The Youngstown State bowling team won three more head-to-head matches and kept a hold on the second spot in the standings after five traditional matches at the Eastern Shore Hawk Classic on Saturday. The three-day tournament is being held at Bowl America Woodbridge in Woodbridge, Va.
The Penguins began the day in second place after their school-record-breaking performance in the Baker format on Friday, and they averaged 215.8 per game in traditional on Saturday to maintain their position. With one more match of qualifying remaining, YSU is firmly in line to have a spot in the championship bracket.
Youngstown State bowled at least 1,023 in each match, and it topped 1,100 twice on its way to a round total of 5,396
"I love how we were able to capitalize on some good pairs with 1100's to begin and end the day and hang tough through some pairs that weren't as kind to us," YSU head coach Doug Kuberski said. "We have been disciplined in our process and are channeling positive energy for each other. Our focus is to continue rocking our process and continue enjoying our time together.".
YSU's best set came to start the morning when it beat Delaware State 1,143-1,038 behind a 241 game from Madison Doseck. The Penguins then topped Morgan State 1,023-888 as Megan Grams threw a 223 in the leadoff position.
The Penguins dropped their next two matches despite posting high scores. YSU fell 1,174-1,046 to Duquesne despite Kirsten Moore firing a 255 and Madyson Marx shooting a 245. Hope Bunk slid into the lineup and rolled a 256 as YSU lost 1,098-1,073 to North Carolina A&T as the Penguins' record evened to 2-2. In game five, YSU was back over 1,100 with a 1,111 to beat Merrimack by 52. Grams had the highest game again with a 267.
Marx led the Penguins overall on Saturday with a five-game total of 1,136. That puts her seventh in the standings with one game remaining on Sunday. She is just three pins out of fifth, and the top five make the all-tournament team. Grams is tied for 18th with a 1,101 total, and Moore is 30th with 1,088. Doseck bowled a 1,019 and Is 55th.
Youngstown State will take on Monmouth to finish qualifying at 8:25 a.m. on Sunday. Teams will then be seeded into the best-of-seven bracket, and the Penguins will try to aim to bring home a team trophy for the third time in the first four tournaments of the season.
