Behind an MVP performance from sophomore Emma Wrenn, the Youngstown State bowling team earned four head-to-head wins and sits first in total pinfall after the first day at the Mount Shootout. The tournament is being held at Terrace Lanes in Frederick, Md., and is being hosted by Mount St. Mary's.
Wrenn fired scores of 195, 230, 233, 226 and 197 on Saturday for a first-place total of 1,081. She is YSU's first tournament champion in school history, and her 1,081 set ranks second in school history behind Sarah Florence's total from last weekend.
Wrenn helped the 23rd-ranked Penguins go 4-1 in head-to-head matches in the day, and the Penguins own the top spot in the standings after five qualifying games. Youngstown State totaled 4,694 pins in its five traditional games on Saturday, which is 139 ahead of second-place Duquesne. The Penguins lead third-place Delaware State by 146, fourth-place by 177 and fifth-place Chestnut Hill by 189. Youngstown State needs to remain in the top four through two more qualifying games on Sunday to play in the championship bracket.
"Today was the ultimate grind and I'm proud of the ladies for being great teammates throughout the seven-hour block," YSU head coach Doug Kuberski said. "Their shot-making is rock solid, and if we maintain our focus on keeping the ball in play and staying clean, the results will take care of themselves. I feel like we are growing together every day, and I'm looking forward to another day of solid growth on Sunday."
Youngstown State beat No. 16 Saint Francis U 952-860 to open the day behind a 245 game from Nikki Mendez, and the Penguins followed that up with a 956-913 victory over No. 21 Mount St. Mary's. Wrenn, Mendez and Florence were all above 200 in the third game that led to the highest total of the day for YSU and a 1,014-895 victory over Howard. The Penguins then beat St. Francis Brooklyn 891-816, and they dropped their final match 933-881 to No. 15 Delaware State.
Individually, Mendez finished five pins out of the top five and placed seventh with a 977 set. Florence placed 14th with a 939, and Emma Dockery finished 23rd with a 912.
Youngstown State will bowl against Morgan State and Coppin State on Sunday beginning at 8:55 a.m. in two quint Baker matches to finish qualifying. The Penguins will then begin best-of-seven bracket play for their final placing at the tournament.
