Big Red remain in fourth at Bulldog Classic

San Antonio, Texas - The fifth-ranked Nebraska Bowling team ended day two of the Bulldog Classic still in fourth place after going 6-4. They recorded a total pinfall of 9,737 with a 194.7 average through two days. The Huskers entered today with a 3-2 record and a 4,954 pinfall.

The first match of the day put the Huskers up against Jackson State, who was 2-3 and in 13th place after day one. The starters for the Big Red were Desiree Buchert, Taylor Kretz, Brenna Hartzler, Karina Capron and Haley Swindle. The match that followed was messy for both teams as they tried to adapt to the lane conditions. Halfway through the contest, the Huskers substituted Alejandra Sandoval for Swindle to try and swing momentum in NU's favor. The Tigers kept it close, but Nebraska ultimately won the match, 870-841. 33 frames were left open, 16 of which belonged to the Huskers. Buchert led the Big Red in pinfall with 210, followed by Capron with 174, Kretz with 167, Hartzler with 165, and Swindle and Sandoval combining for 154.

Next up for Nebraska was No. 21 Valparaiso. The Huskers kept Sandoval in the anchor spot and elected to swap out Kretz for Abby Starkey's first action of the tournament. The Big Red then put in Kayla Starr for Capron as the match progressed, but the specter of open frames persisted. The Huskers would post 14 open frames in a 1,002-866 loss, moving to 4-3 on the weekend. NU was again led by Buchert with 190, then Starkey with 188, followed by Capron and Starr combining for 186, Hartzler with 155, and Sandoval and Swindle putting together 147.

Match three pitted the Huskers against No. 2 Vanderbilt, who was in second place going into the match. The Big Red retained their lineup from the last match as they looked to improve their spare shooting. Ultimately, the Commodores came out on top 1,122-1,006 as NU still had a difficult time filling frames, leaving nine open. Starr was the pinfall leader for the Huskers with 222, then Swindle with 203, followed by Buchert with 203, Hartzler with 191 and Starkey with 179.

The day's fourth opponent was the tournament hosts, No. 7 Louisiana Tech. In a back and forth game, Kretz subbed back in for Starkey to help the Huskers hold on to narrowly win, 970-955. Swindle led the way with 216, Buchert was second with 215, then followed Starr wit 195 and the combined score of Starkey and Kretz for 174. Hartzler rounded out the lineup with 170.

The last match of the day for the Huskers was against Prairie View A&M. They stuck with the same lineup and were able to shake the open frames that had been plaguing them all day, putting together a dominant 1,071-791 victory to end the day. The top-scorer for NU was Kretz with 237, followed by Swindle with 226, Hartzler with 209, then Starr with 206 and Buchert with 192.

The lone Husker within the individual top-25 for pinfall ended up being Buchert, who bowled 1,010 for a 202.0 average over her five games.

The Big Red will return to the lanes tomorrow, Nov. 8 at 8:25 a.m. CT for the bracket round which will feature three best four-of-seven Baker matches. The Huskers will have a chance to win the tournament championship if they can win out.

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