Huskers jump into Second Place

Lincoln - The Nebraska Bowling team is in second place after going 4-1 on day two of the Big Red Invite on Saturday. After two days, NU is 7-3 with a total pinfall of 10,451 and a 209.0 average.

The Huskers began the day against No. 2 Vanderbilt. The Big Red started Haley Swindle, Lani Breedlove, Brenna Hartzler, Karina Capron and Jillian Martin, keeping the same lineup from Friday.  The Commodores took an early lead, but it was NU who ultimately won 1,103-1,045 after standout performances from Martin (258) and Swindle (247). Also shooting above the 200-pin mark were Hartzler (215) and Capron (208), with Breedlove adding 175 to round out the lineup. The victory improved the Huskers’ record to 4-2 and propelled the Big Red from fifth to second.

Against Quincy, NU took control of the match from the start and never relinquished control. The final score was 1,130-861 as Nebraska was led by Martin (259) and Swindle (241). Breedlove and Hartzler added 237 and 226 respectively, and Capron rolled 167.

Match three pitted the Huskers against No. 13 McKendree. Nebraska jumped out in front early, capitalizing off open frames from the Bearcats. In the eighth frame, Desiree Buchert checked in for Capron and promptly threw back-to-back strikes. NU won,1,082-923, to improve to 6-2. Martin was electric, bowling a 276 supported by Swindle (214) and Capron and Buchert’s combined for a score of 212. Hartzler contributed 193 while Breedlove shot 188.

No. 5 Louisiana Tech matched up against the Huskers next. Buchert would keep her spot in the lineup while Kayla Starr subbed in for Breedlove. Open frames off tough splits plagued both teams, but the Scarlet and Cream would string together enough strikes to recover and hold the lead in the fifth frame. LA Tech eventually pulled ahead after more open frames from the Huskers, winning 958-941 for NU’s first loss of the day. Swindle (204) and Buchert (203) led the team, followed by Starr (186) and Hartzler (184) with Martin shooting 164.

The finale was against Western Illinois. The Huskers left three open frames early before taking control with the help of a six-pack from Swindle and a five-bagger from Hartzler. The Big Red never gave up control, finishing the day off with an 1,154-807 final. Starr led the way with 257, followed by Hartzler with 239 and Swindle with 238. Martin notched 234 and Buchert added 186. The win improved the Huskers’ record to 7-3.

Three Huskers placed in the top 15 for individual performances. Martin and Swindle lead the field in the top two spots. Martin notched a total pinfall of 1,190 and a 238.0 average while Swindle knocked down 1,144 pins for a 228.8 average. Final individual standings have yet to be decided as the final traditional match will be played tomorrow morning at 8:55 a.m. (central). Nebraska will face No. 1 Jacksonville State in that match, currently 11-0 on the weekend and firmly in first place with a pinfall of 10,747. 

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