Posted: Nov 21, 2014

Bowling Wins First Four Matches En Route to 4-2 Day on First Day of VUU Invitational

Ravens third after first day of three-day event

Ravens Bowling MIDLOTHIAN, Va. (November 21, 2014) – The Franklin Pierce University bowling team came out firing on all cylinders on Friday in the first day of the VUU Invitational, hosted by Virginia Union at Bowl America. The Ravens won their first four matches of the day, finished 4-2 and currently sit third at the three-day event. Friday's play was in the Baker format, Saturday's will be traditional team matches and Sunday will consist of bracket matches.

Franklin Pierce rolled an 868 over five games in its opening match to pick up a 68-pin win over Virginia State, 868-800. The Ravens topped out at 202 in the third game of the match, and also posted a 194 in the second game, while Virginia State was able to muster a 179 in the fifth game for its high score.

The crimson and grey got better from there over each of the next two matches, including an 884 in a 146-pin win over Saint Augustine's, 884-738. Franklin Pierce knocked down more than 180 pins in three of the match's five games, with a 187 in the second game, a 190 in the third and a 189 in the fourth. Saint Augustine's put together a 197 in the first game, but would average just 147.6 over the final four games, including a low of 113 in the second game.

The Ravens had their best outing of the first day of the VUU Invitational in the day's third match, when they rolled a 985 to defeat Hampton by over 300 pins, 985-619. Hampton was in an 81-pin hole after the first game, as it rolled just a 118 to counter Franklin Pierce's opening 199. The Ravens twice topped 200 in the match, with a 201 in the third game and a 233 in the fourth game. The latter would stand as the team's best game score of the day.

Franklin Pierce twice topped 200 again against Saint Peter's while capping its four-match winning streak with an 882-863 victory. The Ravens opened with a 224, to just 137 for Saint Peter's, and would later add a 205 in the third game. Franklin Pierce stumbled in the fifth and final game with just a 117 -- the team's low score of the day -- but had already amassed a lead which could not be undone by the opponent's 203.

The Ravens came back to Earth in the day's final two matches, rolling an 800 -- their lowest match score of the day -- in a 997-800 loss to Cheyney, and finishing with an 838 in an 862-838 loss to Bowie State. Franklin Pierce did not bowl a game score lower than a 150 over the final two matches, but would also fail to top 180 across the matches' 10 games.

The second day of the VUU Invitational will take place Saturday at Bowl America. The Ravens will take on Chowan, Felician, Livingstone, hosts Virginia Union and Sacred Heart.

For more information on Franklin Pierce Athletics, please visit the official website of Franklin Pierce Athletics (http://athletics.franklinpierce.edu). Also be sure to follow the Ravens through the Department of Athletics' official Facebook page (http://www.facebook.com/FranklinPierceRavens), its YouTube channel (http://www.youtube.com/franklinpiercesports) and its Twitter feed (http://twitter.com/FPUathletics). Fans wishing to purchase Franklin Pierce bowling apparel can do so at the Department of Athletics' brand new online store (http://athletics.franklinpierce.edu/store).