Nov. 2, 2008
ELMWOOD, NJ — Less than 24 hours after a dominating performance at the FDU Fright Knight Invite, Vanderbilt’s bowlers had to come from the loser’s bracket to capture the team championship in its first tournament of the season.
After all 12 teams were bracketed by their pin fall on the first two days, the top-seeded Commodores were promptly upset in today’s opening game of the best-of-seven Baker format by Fairleigh Dickinson. In the double-elimination system, they rallied from behind against Delaware State and then topped the host Knights in a rematch to earn the victory.
“We began the day playing not to lose instead of to win,” said Coach John Williamson. “We didn’t have the same intensity or focus we had Saturday. We not only lost the first game but were behind in the second, so we inserted Amanda Halter into the lineup and changed our order moving Tara Kane to lead-off.
“Amanda gave us a major boost,” Williamson continued, “and Tara had a big hand in our turn-about, too. She did an exceptional job leading off, throwing the ball very well and getting some very big strikes.”
Vanderbilt found itself in a deep hole in the loser’s bracket game with Delaware State, trailing 2-1 and then again 3-2 before putting together two 200-plus efforts for the narrow victory.
Halter came into the lineup in the third game of the Delaware State elimination game and played the rest of the tournament.
The `Dores enjoyed four games north of 200 in the championship match to win 4-1 against FDU with Brittni Hamilton re-entering the lineup part way through in place of Brittany Garcia.
“I hope we learned some lessons falling into the loser’s bracket,” Williamson said. “We showed some moxie being down to Delaware State and rallying with our backs to the wall.”
The all-tournament team consisted of Saturday’s five individual leaders, meaning Josie Earnest and Michelle Peloquin were both honored.
The Commodores, emerging with a record of 11-2 on the weekend, travel to Millsboro, Del., Nov. 21 where they are the two-time defending champions at Maryland-Eastern Shore’s Hawk Classic.
Sunday’s Championship Bracket Results
FDU defeated VU, 4-2 (best of seven Baker games)
VU 267-189
FD 180-169
FD 199-198
FD 170-189
VU 206-146
FD 226-210
VU defeated Delaware State, 4-3
VU 200-149
DS 213-183
DS 209-162
VU 245-226
DS 242-184
VU 214-203
VU 216-193
VU defeated FDU, 4-1 (Championship)
VU 226-196
VU 206-148
FD 226-178
VU 258-179
VU 208-179
