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1/29/2006 LAS VEGAS — Vanderbilt won three of five Baker Games against NCAA teams while realizing similar success against a 19-team field in the Brunswick Coca-Cola Open Sunday. The Commodores went 10-2 in the overall tournament Sunday, beating every top team in the field in the process to place behind Nebraska, Fresno State and Central Florida. “We had another good day,” said Coach John Williamson. “We finished strong, beating a good Central Florida team in the last game. I was pleased with our showing in the tournament because I think we proved that we can bowl with anyone on a given day. We need to continue to work hard because there is plenty of room for improvement. But I think we are on track.” Vanderbilt topped Maryland — Eastern Shore, Elmhurst and Grambling Sunday while losing to Nebraska and Minnesota State — Mankato. The loss to Minnesota State — Mankato was not without its own suspense. After falling behind by 99 pins after three games, the Commodores rushed back with their best score of the day — a 223 — to close within just 16 pins. Ironically, as the NCAA teams were paired throughout the morning, Vanderbilt had its best four-game Baker total of the day in the loss. “We were very consistent all day,” said Karen Grygiel. “We came back when we began to struggle and we kept our focus from start to finish.It is a tougher shot here, just like it was yesterday. The lane conditions are difficult for everyone.” The Brunswick event is somewhat cumbersome for NCAA teams because the tournament bracket does not factor in desired NCAA match-ups. Therefore, in many games an NCAA team is officially paired against a club team for tournament purposes but “unofficially” is also competing against an NCAA team, sometimes separated by many lanes. Sunday’s Baker Game Results Defeated Maryland — Eastern Shore, 728-686 Lost to Nebraska, 781-723 Defeated Elmhurst College, 740-716 Defeated Grambling, 730-607 Lost to Minnesota State, Mankato, 787-771 |
