Nov. 21, 2009
MILLSBORO, Del.- Vanderbilt quickly erased a small deficit and ended the second day of the Hawk Classic in first place heading into Sunday's match play.
The Commodores wasted no time closing the gap of first day leader Fairleigh Dickinson, winning the head-to-head match-up in the morning's first game, 921-857. Kim Carper and Josie Earnest led the way with a pair of 205's.
The Black and Gold flexed some bowling muscle in Game 2, beating Sacred Heart 1,057-799. Four of five `Dores topped 200 with Ashley Belden (222), Brittni Hamilton (223) and Josie Earnest (221) nearly in a photo finish.
Fortunes took a quick dip southward in the third game with Vanderbilt losing to Southern, 857-836 - 221 pins fewer than recorded just minutes before. Jessica Earnest did her best to keep the ship afloat with a 217 score but no other Commodore could top 180.
It didn't get any prettier in the fourth game although Vandy did win, edging St. Peters 834-784 behind Josie Earnest's 198 effort.
The day ended with a nice recovery, topping host Maryland-Eastern Shore by a 1,030-930 margin. Hamilton's 233 and Amanda Halter's 221 led the way.
Vanderbilt, FDU, MES and New Jersey City form the top four and when match play begins Sunday morning, and only this foursome will contend for the championship. VU plays FDU in Game 1 of the best-of-seven Baker play.
"We had some really good moments," said Coach John Williamson, "with a pretty tough shot. Then we hit a lull - maybe we took some things for granted - but it was definitely different on the next pair in our third game. We missed some spares we normally wouldn't miss and things snowballed a bit. We need to keep our focus the whole time."
Individual scoring was not distributed immediately but Williamson said Hamilton's 199 average would no doubt be among the leaders. He also thought Jessica Earnest was his team's most consistent performer with games of 185-203-217-179-191.
Team Leader Board (20 teams competing)
Vanderbilt 9,432
Fairleigh Dickinson 9,308
MES 9,096
New Jersey City 9,003
Saturday's Vanderbilt Results
Vanderbilt 921, FDU 857
Jessica Earnest 185
Kayla Rhoades-Ashley Belden 142
Kim Carper 205
Brittni Hamilton 184
Josie Earnest 205
Vanderbilt 1,057, Sacred Heart 799
Jess Earnest 203
Belden 222
Carper 180
Hamilton 223
Josie Earnest 221
Southern 857, Vanderbilt 834
Jess Earnest 217
Belden 157
Carper-Amanda Halter 136
Hamilton 179
Josie Earnest 147
Vanderbilt 834, St. Peters 784
Jess Earnest 179
Belden 158
Carper-Rhoades 123
Hamilton 176
Josie Earnest 198
Vanderbilt 1,030, M-ES 930
Jess Earnest 191
Belden 191
Halter 221
Hamilton 233
Josie Earnest 194
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