New Castle, Del. — Youngstown State's bowling team earned four more head-to-head victories and is in eighth place after 10 matches of qualifying at the 2026 Northeast Classic, hosted by Sacred Heart.
After winning their final four Baker matches on Friday, the Penguins were victorious in their first four matches on Saturday as play shifted to traditional play. YSU began the morning with a 1,091-996 victory over No. 9 Mount St. Mary's, and the Penguins also earned a 934-902 win over No. 20 Bryant in their fourth match.
Youngstown State averaged 209.3 per game over its first three matches, and the Penguins were well within reach of qualifying in the top four after four matches. YSU then hit a tough pair in a low-scoring 874-865 loss to No. 22 Duquesne, which dropped the Penguins to eighth.
Leyna Kratzer was YSU's top individual placer for the third time this season, finishing 21st with a 1,050 set. Amber Mason also posted a set over 1,000 with a 1,006, which placed her in a tie for 37th.
Youngstown State will bowl three best-of-seven Baker matches on Sunday starting at 8:25 a.m. as it looks to climb the standings on the final day of the tournament.
Traditional Match Results
Match 1: Win — 1,091-996 vs. No. 9 Mount St. Mary's
Mason 207; Baskin 224; Varano 209; Kratzer 248; Beissel 203
Match 2: Win — 1,030-938 vs. Dominican (N.Y.)
Mason 254; Baskin 213; Varano 214; Kratzer 214; Beissel 185
Match 3: Win — 1,028-796 vs. Roberts Wesleyan
Mason 192; Baskin 173; Varano 172; Kratzer 226; Beissel 265
Match 4: Win — 934-902 vs. No. 20 Bryant
Mason 205; Baskin 192; Varano 179; Kratzer 195; Beissel 163
Match 5: Loss — 865-874 vs. No. 22 Duquesne
Mason 148; Baskin 171; Varano 203; Kratzer 167; Beissel 176
Team Summary
YSU traditional pinfall: 4,998
Game average: 199.92
Highest game: 265 by Kara Beissel vs. Roberts Wesleyan
Total qualifying pinfall: 9,936
Ranking: Eighth in the field of 36 teams
Individual Finishes
21st — Leyna Kratzer — 1,050 (210.0 AVG)
T-37th — Amber Mason — 1,006 (201.2 AVG)
47th — Kara Beissel — 992 (198.4 AVG)
52nd — Gianna Varano — 977 (195.4 AVG)
54th — Liv Baskin — 973 (194.6 AVG)
Sunday's Schedule
Three best-of-seven bracket matches starting at 8:25 a.m.
Match 1 vs. No. 14 Sam Houston
Match 2 vs. TBA
Match 3 vs. TBA
