ST. LOUIS — The 12th-ranked Louisiana Tech bowling team moved up to third after shooting a 5,368 during the traditional portion of the Columbia 300 Saints Invite on Saturday at Bowlero Lakeside.
 
The Bulldogs (54-32) went a perfect 5-0 on the day to finish with a 10,557-pin count for qualifying.
 
Louisiana Tech's first match of the day came down to the 10th frame against No. 13 McKendree. The Bearkats' anchor struck on the first two balls to force the Bulldogs to mark. Abbie Leiendecker left the 2-4 but picked it up and struck in the fill to give Tech a 1,029-1,018 win. Kylee Trexler led off with a 233, and Jenna Stretch shot a 214 in the four spot. Rachel Ong had a 207 and Leiendecker rolled 194. Allyson Sand subbed in the ninth frame and struck out to give the 'Dogs an 181 for the final score.
 
Tech carried that momentum into the match against Lewis University. Sand started with the front five, Stretch struck on four of her first five, and Leiendecker had six in a row. The Bulldogs would cruise to a 1,102-952 win. All five LA Tech bowlers finished in the plus, with Sand leading the way with a 256. Leyendecker had 206, Trexler rolled 213, Stretch shot a 206, and Ong rounded out the scoring at 201.
 
The Bulldogs' lowest score of the day came in a 997-925 win over Central Missouri. Leiendecker and Stretch were the only bowlers in the plus for Tech. Leiendecker started with the front seven before finishing with a 259. Stretch had a split in the second but was able to close out the game for a 201. Sand had a 185 for Louisiana Tech.
 
All five bowlers finished with a 190 or better in the 1,062-1,011 win over No. 11 Sacred Heart. Paulina Avalos shot a 248 in her first full game of the day. Stretch had her fourth straight 200 games at 229. Ashley Imhoff had a 200, Leiendecker shot 194, and Sand had a 191 to round out the scoring.
 
Louisiana Tech saved the best for last, taking down Conference USA foe Valparaiso 1,178-994. All five bowlers finished over 210, led by Sand with 267. Stretch and Avalos had six-baggers in the middle of their games to shoot 246 and 233, respectively. Leiendecker closed out the tournament with a 220, and Ong had a 212.
 
Stretch finished with a 1,096 for a 219.2 average and a 12th-place finish. Leiendecker finished right behind at 13 with a 1,084 (218.60 avg.). Despite missing the first game, Sand finished in 50thg with an 899 for four games, a 224.75 average. Ong was even at 800 for four, Trexler shot 618 for three, and Avalos shot 481 for two.
 
UP NEXT
The tournament will conclude with the best-of-seven Baker bracket play on Sunday. The Bulldogs will face No. 9 Maryville in the opening round.
 
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