Dec. 1, 2007
JACKSON, Miss. — Vanderbilt recovered from a frigid first game to claw itself into second place, 49 pins behind Nebraska heading into the final day of the Capital City Classic.
The Commodores had strong performances from a trio of veterans to finish its day with a 4-1 ledger in this tournament decided by total pin fall.
Josie Earnest is in second place individually with a 232 average, training only Marissa Martinek of Arkansas State, who posted a 235.5 average today. Michelle Peloquin had a strong day and is in fifth place (221.3) with Karen Grygiel sixth at 220.
Arkansas State opened the first game by rolling 12 consecutive strikes. That torrid start, coupled with the Commodores having a split and an easy spare open, put the No. 1 ranked Black and Gold in a hole from which it could not escape. ASU won, 1,134 – 944, despite a 212 from Grygiel and a 205 from Earnest.
It was all uphill from that soft open as Vanderbilt won four in a row with increasing scores in each game. Its best total was an 1,142 total against Louisiana Tech in which Earnest had a 257 and no `Dore was less than 203.
“We got on our heels, so to speak, in that first game,” said Coach John Williamson. “We pressed and forced things and seemed to let the lanes play us. After the first game we regrouped and were less passive.”
While the three Vanderbilt veterans led the way, sophomore Ashley Belden came off the bench to put up a 225 score in the second game and added 191 and 203 scores later in the day.
The tournament concludes Sunday with Baker games on tap.
Top 3 Teams (10-team field):
Nebraska 5,554
Vanderbilt 5,505
Arkansas St 5,458
Team Games:
Arkansas State 1,134 Vanderbilt 944
Peloquin 193
Ellen Morrison 141
Grygiel 212
Tara Kane 193
Earnest 205
Vanderbilt 1,047 Mississippi Valley State 776
Peloquin 223
Belden 225
Grygiel 199
Amanda Halter 175
Earnest 225
Vanderbilt 1,114 Alabama State 761
Peloquin 245
Belden 191
Grygiel 246
Morrison 191
Earnest 241
Vanderbilt 1,142 Louisiana Tech 892
Peloquin 224
Belden 203
Grygiel 223
Morrison 235
Earnest 257
6-Game Baker Set (Positioning round):
Vanderbilt 1,258 Alabama State 1,048
VU 184-153
AS 189-170
VU 235-174
VU 213-122
VU 234-197
VU 222-183
