DEPTFORD, N.J. – The No. 2 ranked McKendree University women's bowling team ended the first day of competition in the Northeast Classic co-hosted by Long Island University and Sacred Heart University sitting in third place out of 18 teams after going 5-0 in Friday's five Baker format games at Bowlero Deptford.
After the opening day of action at the three-day event, McKendree recorded a total of 5,248 pins and averaged 209.9 per game. Fifth-ranked Vanderbilt leads the way after the first day as they went 4-1 and recorded a total of 5,390 pins and averaged 215.6 per game, while eighth-ranked Youngstown State also went 4-1 and recorded a total pinfall of 5,321 and averaged 212.8 per game.
The No. 2-ranked Bearcats opened the day with a win over 19th-ranked Sacred Heart (1,034-914), before picking up a win over No. 15 Fairleigh Dickinson (1,067-921) and then earned a hard-fought win over ninth-ranked Mount St. Mary's (1,032-1,016).
Following the close win over Mount St, Mary's, the Bearcats improved to 4-0 with a win over 12th-ranked Duquesne (1,036-962) and then concluded the first day of action with a win over 17th-ranked Long Island University (1,079-908).
McKendree will return to action on Saturday as start off the five traditional games by facing No. 1 ranked Sam Houston State. In addition to meeting SHSU, the Bearcats will have face 18th-ranked Maryland Eastern Shore, 14th-ranked Delaware State, 25th-ranked Monmouth University and fourth-ranked North Carolina A&T University.
The three-day event will conclude with three best-of-seven Baker games to determine the final standings. The top four teams following the completion of Saturday's action will earn the top four seeds and earn the right to play for the championship.
Here are the standings following the first day of the Northeast Classic (record and total pinfall):
No. 5 Vanderbilt – 4-1 (5,390 pins)
No. 8 Youngstown State – 4-1 (5,321 pins)
No. 2 McKendree – 5-0 (5,248 pins)
No. 1 Sam Houston State – 2-3 (5,143 pins)
No. 4 North Carolina A&T – 4-1 (5,120 pins)
No. 9 Mount St. Mary's – 2-3 (5,086 pins)
No. 14 Delaware State – 4-1 (5,062 pins)
No. 10 Maryville – 3-2 (5,038 pins)
No. 12 Duquesne – 1-4 (4,999 pins)
No. 15 Fairleigh Dickinson – 3-2 (4,972 pins)
No. 25 Monmouth – 1-4 (4,971 pins)
No. 10 Stephen F. Austin – 2-3 (4,960 pins)
No. 17 Long Island University – 2-3 (4,909 pins)
No. 22 Lincoln Memorial – 2-3 (4,892 pins)
No. 19 Sacred Heart – 1-4 (4,819 pins)
No. 20 Wisconsin-Whitewater – 1-4 (4,619 pins)
Wilmington – 1-4 (4,568 pins)
