Bowling second at Music City Classic

March 15, 2008

SMYRNA, Tenn. — Vanderbilt posted the top team score and high individual game but trails New Jersey City University after the first day of the Columbia 300 Music City Classic.

Sixth-ranked NJCU held a 91-pin lead over the host Commodores heading into Sunday’s six rounds of Baker games. Vicki Spratford was the high individual over the treacherous lane conditions, averaging 211 in six games.

For the day, NJCU went 5-0 and Vanderbilt won all six of its games in a tourney that will be determined by total pins.

Vanderbilt posted the high team game of the day with a sterling 1,043 while Josie Earnest’s 269 was the best round of the afternoon. The Commodore sophomore had ten strikes and two spares in that sparkling game.

“It was a grind-it-out type day,” Earnest said. “Lane conditions were usually difficult but on my best game I happened to get the right ball with the right lane conditions early. At the end of the day, though, we were six and 0 and that is what is most important because that is what gets you to the NCAA Championships.”

Frank Parisi, coach of NJCU, was pleased with his team’s performance.

“The lane conditions provided a challenging shot and that proves the mettle of the teams. It was a Pattern 5 lane condition, the hardest in the NCAA.”

Parisi noted this tournament becomes increasingly important to many teams that are hoping to make their final statement to the NCAA selection committee.

Spratford, the tourney’s high individual, said she won last week’s ECAC Tournament on the identical lane conditions.

“I think bowling on the same lanes last week helped us and helped me today,” Spratford said. “We had a good day and we like to think the Baker games tomorrow are our strong suit.”

Another Commodore with a big day was Tara Kane, who actually was third individually with a 200.4 average, one of just four people to break the 200 barrier.

“I liked our team chemistry and intensity today,” said the Vanderbilt junior. “For the most part we fought hard and stayed focused.”

Nebraska, one of the team favorites, is not competing after encountering transportation problems yesterday at the Omaha airport.

The tournament concludes tomorrow with the six Baker games starting at 8:30 a.m. at the Smyrna Bowling Center. Admission is free.

Top 5 Individuals:

Vicki Spratford, NJCU 1,234

Josie Earnest, VU 1,197

Candice D’Angelo, NJCU 1,189

Tara Kane, VU 1,180

Nicole Drejekswski, NJCU 967 (5 games)

Team Standings:

New Jersey City 5697

Vanderbilt 5606

Central Missouri 5499

Alabama A & M 5409

Arkansas State 5378

Southern 5339

Sacred Heart 5315

Fairleigh Dickinson 5291

Wisconsin-Whitewater 5098

Adelphi 5096

Minnesota State 5060

Jackson State 5037

Morgan State 5014

St. Francis 4803

Norfolk State 4794

Hampton 4791

Fayetteville State 4786

Kutztown 4740

South Carolina State 4606

North Carolina Central 4247

North Carolina A & T 4114

Vanderbilt Results:

VU 956 Morgan State 857

Kane 220

Belden 169

Grygiel 190

Peloquin 201

Earnest 176

VU 892 Kutztown 755

Kane 180

Belden 190

Grygiel 174

Peloquin 180

Earnest 168

VU 1,043 St Francis 781

Kane 195

Garcia 198

Grygiel 183

Peloquin 198

Earnest 269

VU 894 Fairleigh Dickinson 888

Kane 216

Garcia 158

Belden 169

Peloquin/Grygiel 156

Earnest 204

VU 946 Adelphi 801

Kane 191

Belden 167

Grygiel 196

Pelquin 208

Earnest 184

VU 875 Fayetteville State 743

Kane 178

Reynolds 170

Grygiel 169

Peloquin 16y2

Earnest 196