Huskers First at Penguin Classic

Struthers, Ohio - The second-ranked Nebraska bowling team went 4-1 in its first day of competition at the Chelsea Gilliam Penguin Classic, tallying a total pinfall of 5,404 with a 216.2 average, finishing the day in first place.

The Huskers started Friday Morning against Saint Anselm in the first five-game total pinfall baker match of the season. The Big Red started with Brenna Hartzler, Desiree Buchert, Kayla Starr, Haley Swindle, and Jillian Martin. NU struck seven times in its first game, topping the Hawks, 207-156. In game two, the Big Red rolled a 242 over Saint Anselm’s 172, bringing Nebraska’s lead to 449-328. In the third, Hartzler struck out in both frames as the Huskers scored a 185 to the Hawks’ 201. Nebraska bowled a 225 in game four behind eight strikes, including three by Martin in the 10th, topping Saint Anselm, 225-175, increasing the Huskers' total-pin advantage to 155 on the match. The Big Red were topped in game five, 197-176, but picked up their first win of the season, 1,035-901. 

In match two, the Huskers faced their first ranked opponent of the new season, No. 14 Mount St. Mary’s. In game one, the Big Red struck five straight frames to build a convincing lead, eventually taking the game 205-194. Game two saw Karina Capron check in for Kayla Starr and a close contest between the two squads, with NU taking a slim 175-172 victory that brought their total lead to 380-366. In game three, Nebraska would strike five straight to close the game, including another three in the 10th frame by Martin. The strong finish propelled the Huskers to another win 235-192. Game four resulted in Mount St. Mary taking their first game of the match 245-225, but NU still held the total lead at 840-803. With the score close, game five looked to be in the Mountaineers hands before a strike and spare in the 10th frame by Martin helped the Huskers get the winning edge with a 216-202 victory, and taking the match as a whole 1,056-1,005.

Match three was NU’s first top-10 matchup of the year against No. 6 Arkansas State. Game one had a strong performance from both squads, but the Huskers were able to maintain a lead and take the first game 215-178. Game two was an Arkansas State victory of 223-193, after which Nebraska held a slim 408-403 total lead. In game 3, NU was behind after the 6th frame before six straight strikes, including yet another three straight in the 10th by Martin, propelled them ahead to take the lead and the win with a score of 218-196, increasing their total lead to 626-597. Game four saw a nine-strike performance from Arkansas State that allowed them to take the win by a slim margin of 229-224, while Nebraska still held the total lead at 850-826. In game five, a poor performance from the Red Wolves let NU easily take the game 209-164 and the match 1059-990.

Undefeated through three, the Huskers faced their toughest challenge so far in match four, taking on the No. 1 team in the country, Jacksonville State. In game one, NU was able to rattle off six straight strikes in a clean game with no open frames, establishing a commanding lead that allowed them to get the win 246-221. The Big Red showed no signs of stopping in game two, bowling another clean game to the tune of 244-190, increasing their total lead to 490-411. In game three, the Huskers cooled off a bit as the Gamecocks bowled to a lead of 259-195 off seven straight strikes. Despite the monumental game from Jacksonville state, NU still held a 685-670 total lead heading into game four. In that game, five straight strikes in the final three frames helped the Huskers edge out Jacksonville State 248-231, increasing their match total to 933-901. Both teams struck the first three frames of game five, with the Gamecocks striking seven straight, coming up short of perfection with a spare in the eighth. After an open frame in the fourth frame, the Big Red rebounded spectacularly, striking seven straight and coming back to take the game 264-257, winning the match 1197-1158.

The fifth and final match saw the Huskers take on the hosts and defending national champs - No. 4 ranked Youngstown State. Open frames in the third, fourth, and sixth resulted in NU dropping game one of the match 226-156, marking the first time the Huskers had to play from behind in the tournament. Game two was the closest yet, with the Penguins just beating out Nebraska 215-214 for a match total of 441-370. Game three saw the Big Red bounce back, winning their first game of the match 216-192, and cutting into Youngstown State’s lead to make the match total 633-586. Game four had the Huskers striking seven in a row to close out the game, taking the win 258-229 and closing the gap on the match total to 862-844. The decisive game five culminated in Youngstown State maintaining their lead with a 216-214 performance and handing NU its first loss of the tournament, toppling them 1,078-1,058.

The Huskers return to the lanes tomorrow morning at 8:25 a.m. (CT) in a position round, followed by traditional matches against Western Illinois, Lewis, No. 20 Wright State, and Mercyhurst.

Stay up to date with the action by following the Nebraska Women's Bowling Twitter (@HuskerBowling), Instagram (@huskerbowling) and Facebook.

 

Chelsea Gilliam Penguin Classic Standings (Average After First Day of Competition)

No. 2 Nebraska (216.2)

No. 3 Vanderbilt (210.6)

No. 1 Jacksonville State (210.2)

No. 4 Youngstown State ( 203.0)

No. 11 Sacred Heart (196.6)

No. 6 Arkansas State (193.4)

No. 21 Valparaiso (192.9)

No. 20 Wright State (191.8)

No. 25 Niagara (191.2)

Mercyhurst (190.3)

No. 14 Mount St. Mary’s (189.9)

No. 12 Duquesne (185.5)

Western Illinois (178.1)

Alabama A&M (174.1)

Lewis (174.0)

Coppin State (171.4)

Saint Anselm (165.7)

Walsh (157.6)