The Youngstown State bowling team beat three ranked teams and finished the first day of the Hawk Flight Invite in sixth place. The event is being held at King Pin Lanes in Egg Harbor Township, N.J.
YSU totaled 4,697 pins over its five Baker matches, which was just eight pins behind fifth-place Saint Francis U. The Penguins bowled at least 916 in each set and topped out with a 983 in their second contest of the day.
“I'm proud of the way the ladies battled today,” YSU head coach Doug Kuberski said. “They grinded through some tough sets and were able to put the bad shots behind them quickly and stay present. We did leave some pins out there today and have a few things to clean up. If we do that and continue to play our game, we'll be in the hunt.”
The Penguins, who were ranked 25th in the most recent NTCA Top 25 Poll, dropped their first match of the day 925-916 to St. Francis Brooklyn as the Terriers struck in the 10th frame in the final game to pull ahead. YSU responded with its highest set of the day in a 983-918 victory over No. 17 LIU Brooklyn to even its record at 1-1 on the day. After falling 1,156-949 to No. 8 Fairleigh Dickinson, the Penguins got back to even again with a 931-884 triumph over No. 6 UMES. YSU edged No. 22 Monmouth 918-915 in the final match of the day as Emma Dockery struck in the ninth frame and Nikki Mendez went nine-spare and strike in the 10th.
Youngstown State will compete against LIU Post, No. 10 North Carolina A&T, No. 11 Saint Francis U, Morgan State and No. 12 Delaware State on Saturday in traditional play.
Friday’s Baker Match Results
St. Francis Brooklyn 925 -#25 Youngstown State 916
#25 Youngstown State 983 - #17 LIU Brooklyn 918
#8 Fairleigh Dickinson 1,156 - #25 Youngstown State 949
#25 Youngstown State 931 - #6 UMES 884
#25 Youngstown State 918 - #22 Monmouth 915
