LAS VEGAS – One day can make a huge difference in a bowling tournament, and No. 4 Louisiana Tech found out just how much a big day on the lanes can be. On Tuesday, the Bulldogs surged into fifth place after a 5,032 during the traditional portion of the Blue and White Vegas Classic at the South Point Bowling Plaza.
Southern would challenge Louisiana Tech early in the first match. The Bulldogs would start to pull away in the middle portion of the game with 14 strikes over four frames en route to a 982-832 win. Abbie Leiendecker began with a turkey before a split in the fourth. She would bounce back and connect on seven consecutive, including the first in the 10th, where she lost her finger insert, on her way to a 262. Kylee Trexler was primarily clean in the leadoff for a 191.
The second match was never in doubt, with Tech winning by over 200 pins, 980-722, over St. Anselm. This time, Abbie Leiendecker led the way with a 223, followed by Patricia Rosales with a 209 after striking out in the 10th. Allie Leiendecker didn't have the carry from the first game but still pulled out a 199.
Putting together their best performance of the tournament, Tech just ran up against the only team with a better score in match three. No. 1 Jacksonville State had three bowlers shoot 250 or better to take the game 1,134-1,050. Allie Leiendecker strung seven strikes in a row for a 259. Trexler had three sets of doubles in a 221, and Abbie Leiendecker shot a 202.
The Bulldogs continued that momentum into the 1,072-951 victory over No. 10 Maryville. Rosales finally had the carry in her favor with 10 strikes in a 277. Danielle Jedlicki closed out with the back seven in a 238. Abbie Leiendecker continued to be towards the top of the tournament with a 224.
Tech entered the day's final match in fifth, 80 pins ahead of No. 9 Stephen F. Austin. The Bulldogs would extend that lead by beating the Ladyjacks 948-915. In her first tournament with Tech, Jenna Stretch threw a 229, including a crucial 2-4-10 to give the Bulldogs some breathing room. Abbie Leiendecker finished her set with a 192, and Rosales anchored with a 190.
Three Bulldogs finished in the plus for a top-20 finish. Abbie Leiendecker led the way and earned her first All-Tournament selection with 1,079 for five games and a fifth-place finish. Rosales' 277 pushed her into ninth with a 1,039, giving the Bulldogs a second All-Tournament honor. Allie Leiendecker finished with a 1,003 for a 20th-place finish.
UP NEXT
Bracket play begins at 10 am on Wednesday at the South Point Bowling Plaza. The Bulldogs will take on No. 14 Maryland Eastern Shore.
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