Husker Bowling's season ends at Pittsburgh Regional

Pittsburgh, Pa. - The Nebraska Bowling team's season came to an end on Saturday with a loss in the NCAA Regional Championship. The Huskers went 1-1 in the third and championship rounds of the NCAA Pittsburgh Regional, defeating Duquesne 2-0 in round three before falling to third-seeded Arkansas State 2-1 in the regional championship.

 

 

The Huskers started Brenna Hartzler, Haley Swindle, Kayla Starr, Karina Capron and Jillian Martin for the traditional portion of their rematch against Duquesne. The Big Red was victorious in a convincing 1,029-962 win to take the first game of the mega-match. The Huskers were led by Martin with 250 pins and Capron and Starr both with 211 pins. Swindle added 185 while Hartzler contributed 172.

 

NU kept the same lineup for the five-game baker part of the match, winning the first game 198-167. The Huskers kept their momentum, winning game two narrowly, 191-188. Game three was another close contest, but the Dukes came out on top 194-181. The Big Red roared back in game four to win 231-217, tossing 10 strikes in the process and putting their lead at 801-766 heading into the final game. The Dukes won game five, 201-192, but it wasn't enough to surpass the Huskers' lead as they claimed the match, 993-967, to send Duquesne home and advance to the regional championship against Arkansas State.

 

 

The Huskers made one substitution to start off the rematch against the Red Wolves, playing Abby Starkey in the two spot in place of Swindle. The latter checked back in for Starkey in the fifth frame while the game was close. Lani Breedlove later checked into the same spot and helped NU to a 934-885 win. Hartzler led the team with 221 while Starr (202) also shot above 200. Martin bowled 195, Capron notched 180 and Starkey, Swindle and Breedlove combined for 136.

 

In the five game baker, Arkansas State took game one in convincing fashion, 232-160, to go up 72 pins. The Huskers cut the deficit to 50 with a 214-192 win. The Red Wolves answered with a 225-180 game three, but the Huskers shot 203-160 in game four to keep the difference manageable. Arkansas State sealed the match with a 186-165 game five to win 995-922 and send the match to the best 4-of-7.

 

The Red Wolves started the best 4-of-7 with a 216-202 game one to go up. The Huskers subbed in Desiree Buchert at the two spot, and in game two they tied up the series with a 233-202 victory. Arkansas State answered with a close 198-194 game three to go up 2-1, following it up in game four with a 203-183 score for match point. The Huskers battled back to win two straight, 257-252 and 232-171, to keep the season alive and force game seven. The Big Red couldn't hold on as Arkansas State won game seven, 213-209, to seal the series 4-3 and win the mega-match 2-1, ending Nebraska's season.

 

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