January 18, 2011
CABOT, Arkansas — Despite the outstanding play of the Hawk senior trio Martha Perez (Bogota, Colombia), Maria Rodriguez (Ibague Tolima, Colombia) and Kristina Frahm (Oswego, Ill.), the University of Maryland Eastern Shore (UMES) finished in fourth place in the Mid-Winter Classic with a 7-6 record this past weekend.
UMES had continued their hot bowling, not being affected by the time off, on days one and two of the event. The nation's No.1 ranked team had earned the No. 1 seed heading into the final day and were standing at 7-3 overall in a tough field. They faltered however on that day, giving up three spots with losses to No. 4 Central Missouri (4-2), No. 12 Vanderbilt (4-1) and No. 6 Arkansas State (4-2), all in the best-of-seven Baker format.
Fourth-seeded Vanderbilt would go on to win the event, topping Central Missouri for the title. Arkansas State was third.
The Hawks opened the event in four-game Bakers, picking up an 851-739 win over Texas Southern. The Jennies of CMSU then topped UMES 893-866 before the Lady Hawks rebounded for three straight wins. They topped No. 20 Louisiana Tech 891-854, Arkansas State 1051-819 and No. 5 Sam Houston State 1036-908.
On day two the Hawks bowled in match games, opening with a pair of losses to No. 3 Nebraska (1063-978) and Vanderbilt (944-933), but rebounded again to rattle off three straight wins. They rolled past No. 13 Valparaiso 983-808, Prairie View A&M 1159-863 and No. 15 Stephen F. Austin 1099-791.
Perez was sensational in those games, posting scores of 202, 197, 234, 233 and 269 respectively. The 269 was a season high. Her total pinfall was an 1135 and an amazing average of a 227. That earned her MVP and All-Tournament Team honors.
Rodriguez and Frahm were also sensational, finishing third and fourth respectively in the field of 89 bowlers. Rodriguez posted a pin fall of 1097 while Frahm was just 12 pins behind at 1085. Frahm tallied three 200 plus games including a 257 against Stephen F. Austin while Rodriguez posted four 200 plus games that included a 259 vs. Prairie View A&M.
Anggie Ramirez (Bogota Colombia) was also solid on the day, tallying a 996 pin fall, good enough for 14th overall. She rolled a 258 against Prairie View A&M.
The 7-6 mark makes UMES 48-13 on the year. They take that record to Nebraska this weekend, January 20-22.
