March 16, 2009

Nashville, TN - The Panthers ventured to the Music City Classic hosted by Vanderbilt University on March 13-15 to face a field that featured 18 of the top 20 programs in NCAA bowling. Adelphi placed 13th out of 23 competing programs at the Music City Classic.

Day One had the Adelphi squad in Baker play. First up was #8 University of Central Missouri. The Jennies over powered the Panther's in a 757-691 loss. SWAC Champion #13 Southern University out paced Adelphi by 14 pins 686-672. The slide continued against Florida A & M University in game three, 686-580.

#10 Alabama A & M extended a 18 pin lead to take a 724-687 win. The Panthers finally came up on the plus side as they defeated North Carolina A & T 726-637 in the fifth game of the day. Adelphi then faced host and top ranked Vanderbilt. The Panthers lead after game one but eventually fell 781-747 to finish the day 1-5. The Panthers made a late rally to move from 17th to 14th place based on total pin fall.

Day two saw the Panthers return to action in team play. The #6 Red Wolves of Arkansas State were too strong for Adelphi in a 924-830 loss despite a 180 effort by Erika Drake. Match two saw #2 Nebraska jump on the squad 946-883. Danielle Locurto (235) and Danielle Merino (196) led the way for Adelphi. The return to the plus column came in the form of a 267 pin win over Winston-Salem 905-638. Dianna Molenko (224), Merino (184), and Danielle Locurto (182) had strong efforts.

Two open frames in the tenth frame led to a 843-838 #12 University of Minnesota-Mankato win. Kristin Hayes added a 189 and Merino a 180 in the five pin loss. An exciting match against #20 Jackson State University was tied entering the tenth frame. Merino fired a 199 game but the Achilles heel of the weekend came to light as spare shooting lead to a JSU, 853-833 win. Grand Canyon University was outpaced by Adelphi on the efforts of Merino (201) and Drake (177) on way to a 848-722 Panther victory. Adelphi finished the day 2-4 and were 3-9 after day two, their total pin fall kept the Panthers in 14th place.

Day three saw the Panthers advance to the step ladder to face FAMU. Adelphi was able to capture a 4-1 victory in the best of seven baker match. Southern dropped the first game of Adelphi's second match of the day, 179-178 but rallied back to capture a 4-1 victory. The #14 Morgan State Bears took the Panthers to six games with the Adelphi prevailing 4-2.

The Panthers finished the day 2-1 and 5-10 on the weekend in 13th place in the field of 23. Adelphi is now 72-64 on the season and will conclude their season at the NEC Championships, March 19-22.