Youngstown State's bowling team beat four straight opponents ranked in the top eight on Saturday and will enter the final day of the 2025 Music City Classic in first place.
The Penguins were first after Friday's five Baker matches, and they had the third-highest pinfall on Saturday while remaining in the top spot overall. With one more qualifying match remaining on Sunday, YSU has a strong chance to secure a top-four seed in the championship bracket.
As the three-day event at the Smyrna Bowling Center shifted to traditional play, Youngstown State seized the opportunity of facing four consecutive teams ranked in the top eight of the NCAA's RPI and the NTCA Top 25 poll.
The Penguins started with a 984-931 win over fifth-ranked Wichita State, and they followed with a 997-996 victory over No. 2 Vanderbilt in a match that came down to the final ball. YSU carried the momentum into its next round and fired a set of 1,110 in a 218-pin win over No. 8 North Carolina A&T.
Youngstown State then beat No. 7 Sam Houston State 1,031-858 to conclude its string of top-eight victories, and YSU's first loss of the tournament was to No. 17 UAB, 955-913.
YSU's total pinfall after 10 matches is 10,317, which is 22 pins ahead of second-place Vanderbilt. Maryville had the highest total on Saturday to surge to third at 10,252, Jacksonville State is fourth at 10,129, and North Carolina A&T is fifth at 10,116. YSU needs to stay in the top four after its final match of qualifying on Sunday to have a chance at the tournament title.
In the individual race, Youngstown State has three bowlers in the top 25 with one more game remaining on Sunday. Madyson Marx had games of 254 and 243 to highlight her 1,076 total on Saturday, and she sits third. Madison Doseck's 244 game carried the Penguins to their victory over Vanderbilt, and she is 14th with 1,034. Kirsten Moore had four games over 200 while totaling 1,018, which is 21st in the field.
Youngstown State will bowl against No. 6 Arkansas State in another traditional match on Sunday starting at 9:25 a.m. Eastern. YSU's score against the Red Wolves will be added to its total pinfall to determine its seed in the bracket, and the Penguins will bowl in two best-of-seven Baker matches to conclude the event.
