DEPTFORD, N.J. - - The Wilmington University bowling team went 1-2 in Baker Bracket matches on Sunday, finishing 18th at the Northeast Classic hosted by LIU and Sacred Heart at the Bowlero Deptford.
The Wildcats won the first match of the day, but finished with a pair of losses, going 3-8 on the weekend, all against Nationally Ranked teams according to the National Tenpin Coaches Association.
Sunday started with a 4-2 victory against No. 20 Wisconsin-Whitewater, coming back from a 2-1 deficit to claim the match in six games, 4-2. The Wildcats started with a 207-167 win in the first game, but then the Warhawks took a 2-1 lead with wins in games two and three. The Wildcats then rattled off three straight, winning, 202-193, a match high 217-169, and finished off the Warhawks with a 213-191 sixth game.
The Wildcats then went up against host and nationally No. 17 Long Island University and the Sharks had their way with the Wildcats, winning 4-0. The Wildcats had a match high 210 pins in game two, but the Sharks narrowly escaped, 215-210.
In the final match of the weekend, the Wildcats and Warhawks met again, but this time the No. 20 Warhawks won the match, 4.5-1.5. The Wildcats again won the first game of the match, 184-177, but then the Warhawks seized momentum and won games two and three. The two teams tied the fourth game, 212-12, for a half point, but then the Warhawks finished the match with a 225-201 win in game five and a 203-171 win in game six.
Fifth ranked Vanderbilt defeated No. 2 McKendree in the championship, 4-2. No. 8 Youngstown State took third with a 4-2 victory over No. 1 Sam Houston State.
The Wildcats get right back onto the lanes next weekend as they head to the St. Francis (Pa.) Red Flash Invitational starting on Friday. The three-day tournament will be hosted at the Holiday Bowl in Altoona, Pennsylvania.