Struthers, Ohio — Youngstown State's bowling team went 5-0 and posted the second-highest pinfall in the field on Friday to begin the Penguin Classic at Holiday Bowl
YSU was the only squad among the 16 teams to go unbeaten on the opening day of the 2024-25 season. The Penguins averaged an impressive 208.1 over 25 Baker games and had at least 980 in all five matches.
"Today was solid start to our season," said YSU head coach Doug Kuberski. "Overall, our spare shooting was strong across the board. And our energy and togetherness kept us in some tough matches. We gathered some good information to bring to the weekend and are excited to get back after it tomorrow."
Youngstown State sits second with its 5,203 total pinfall after day one of the tournament, which continues with five more games of qualifying on Saturday. Nebraska shot better than 1,100 in each of its first three matches and finished the opening round with 5,388 pins to sit at the top of the standings. Wichita State is third with 5,043, Duquesne is fourth with 5,007, and Arkansas State is fifth at 4,859. The top four teams after Saturday will have a chance to bowl for the championship on Sunday.
The Penguins' closest match of the day was their first, and they shook off two low-scoring games at the start to fight off Morgan State for a 980-947 win. YSU trailed by 38 after two games but flipped the match in its favor with a 253 and a 236 over the next two games.
Youngstown State then torched lanes 33-34 for an 1,157 set against No. 17 Wichita State, topping 210 in all five games and bowling a 290 in game three. Leadoff bowler Amanda Granata left a stone 8 pin in the first frame, and YSU's lineup of Kirsten Moore, Madison Doseck, Madyson Marx and Jade Cote struck the rest of the way. Granata and Moore struck to start game four to give YSU 13 consecutive strikes in the match. The 290 game was YSU's fourth-highest Baker game in program history, and the 1,157 set was the fifth-best.
The Penguins shot a 256 in game five against No. 25 Niagara to pull away for a 1,024-944 win, and it fired a 199 or higher in four of their five games versus No. 2 Arkansas State for a 1,045-990 victory. YSU had a 77-pin advantage on the Red Wolves after a 241-164 edge in game one, and the Penguins held off their Conference USA opponent with a 224-180 advantage in game five. YSU finished the day with a 997-830 win over Wright State as Kara Beissel, Ellie Drescher, Lyndsay Ennis and Hannah Miller all entered the lineup.
Youngstown State will bowl in five traditional matches on Saturday beginning at 9:25 a.m. The senior recognition will begin at 8:45, and the Penguins will have six student-athletes saluted during the ceremony.
Match Results
- Match 1 vs. Morgan State » W, 980-947
- Match 2 vs. No. 17 Wichita State » 1,157
- Match 3 vs. No. 25 Niagara » W, 1,024-944
- Match 4 vs. No. 2 Arkansas State » W, 1,045-990
- Match 5 vs. Wright State » W, 997-830
