After day one of the 2012 Kutztown Invitational, the Fairleigh Dickinson University women's bowling team sits in first place among a field of 28 teams. The Knights went 6-0 in matches on Friday, Jan. 27 in Reading, PA.
The Knights compiled a total pin fall of 4,890 through six quad-Baker games to top the standings. Rounding out the top five were NTCA No. 1 Valparaiso, Sacred Heart, UMES and Wisconsin-Whitewater.
FDU took on 2011 NCAA runner up, Vanderbilt, in the first match at Kutztown. “Two great teams battling in the first match of this big tournament really raised the level of intensity and the level of play,” said Head Coach Mike LoPresti.
The high-scoring match saw games of 199, 206, 255 and 233 for the Knights, while the Commodores shot 177, 221, 226 and 235. The final score favored the Knights, 883-859.
“The first match against Vanderbilt set the stage for the rest of the day,” added LoPresti.
The Knights took on New Jersey foe, Saint Peter's, in match two. With scores of 195, 202, 190 and 171 the Knights out-scored the Peahens who scored 152, 171, 199 and 170. The final outcome was 758-702.
The third match against Norfolk State proved to be a key match on the day. After falling behind by 23 pins in the third game, the Knights strung strikes together in game four for a series-high score of 237 in the final game. The Knights totaled 823 with games for 181, 227, 178 and 237 to defeat the Spartans, who totaled 794 with games of 200, 170, 239 and 185.
The Hawks of UMES were the Knights' fourth opponent on the day. Both teams struggled to produce high scores on the tough lane conditions, but a strong game two lifted the Knights to their 14th consecutive victory during the second half of the season.
The Knights bowled games of 164, 23, 177 and 195 for a total 770, while the Hawks scored 166, 193, 194 and 168 for a 728.
Match five pitted the NTCA No. 1 team, Valparaiso against the No. 2 Knights. FDU jumped ahead with a 218 in game one, challenging Valpo to catch up through the next three games. With scores of 218, 181, 221 and 193 the Knights compiled a total of 813. The Crusaders scored 147, 198, 181 and 168 for 694, giving the Knights their fifth win of the day.
In the final match of Friday's competition, the Knights took on NEC opponent, Saint Francis PA. Scores of 212, 209, 228 and 194 ensured the earned their sixth win of the day. The Red Flash bowled games of 176, 165, 147 and 154 for a total of 642. The Knights' total was 843.
The Knights improve to 61-12 on the season with six wins on the day.
“Today, our first priority was winning matches, but our total pin fall was extraordinary as well,” explained LoPresti. “With traditional games tomorrow, our focus again is winning matches.”
FDU will take on Texas Southern, Wisconsin-Whitewater, Delaware State, Stephen F. Austin, Florida A&M and Hampton in Saturday's traditional round.
