SMYRNA, Tennessee — The University of Maryland Eastern Shore had a better record on Day 2 of the Music City Classic and are currently 7-4 for the event.
But suffering just one loss in five Traditional matches didn't tell the story of the lanes as the Hawks (73-40, 10-6 MEAC) dropped from sixth to 10th in total pinfall and will begin play — much like they did Saturday — by facing off with National Tenpin Coaches Association No. 8 Maryville in a Best-of-Five Baker bracket matchup.
"We went 4-1, but I can't say it was a good day," Hawks coach Roger Petrin said. "The important thing is that we got the wins. When you are looking at NCAA selections that is part of the criteria. We need to remember that we still did what we needed to in the head-to-head portion of the matches.
"We need to not get too down on ourselves because we were able to clear the wins we needed to get."
Senior Brooke Roberts (Port Orange, Florida) was the team's top finisher (28th) in the singles ranking with a 204.60 average over five games.
Petrin was concerned about the team's sense of urgency at times, but hadn't yet spoken to the bowlers about what their takeaway was. Classmate Alejandra Amezcua (Baja California, Mexico) averaged 198.60 (38th) and Elizabeth Ross (Schenectady, New York) a 195.60 (44th).
"Tomorrow I think we just need to make better shots honestly," Petrin said. "We missed a lot of spares today. I don't think we necessarily played the lanes wrong. I think we lost some of the communication that we have been really good at building over the past year. I think my main thing would be to make sure we are ahead of moves and fill the frames."
Bowling begins Sunday morning at 10 a.m. eastern time as the Hawks face off with the Saints for the third time in this event.
"That's a good opportunity because I think we have split with them for the year, so this would be our last opportunity to show the committee that we have the head-to-head on them for the year."
