SBL Championships begin on Friday
3/23/2017 7:49:00 PM | Women's Bowling
With the regular season in the books, the Sam Houston State bowling team looks to capture its first Southland Conference title beginning on Friday.
Arkansas State is the No. 1 seed and the host of the third Southland Bowling League Championships in Jonesboro.
“This is the place where Arkansas state hosts their tournaments,” said head coach Brad Hagen. “We had some success there for the first time last year. We had a double digit weekend last time we were there and that is a positive to take away from it.”
The fourth-ranked Bearkats enter the tournament as the No. 2 seed and will face No. 7 Valparaiso. Action gets started Friday morning at 8 a.m. and the second round matches will get started at 1 p.m. Rounds three, four and five will be Saturday with the Championship round on Sunday.
The SBL Championship will be an eight-team, double-elimination tournament, using a best of three-match format. Match 1 is a five-person team match. Match 2 is a Baker Total Pinfall and if the teams split the first two matches, Match 3 is a baker best-of- seven match.
“I like the idea of the new format we are doing,” Hagen said. “It is a little more of a traditional look at things. If you knock over the most pins the first two games you win.”
Hagen said the format sets up well for his team.
“This format allows a team like ours to excel,” Hagen said. “Just like in the regular season, if you knock over the most pins you win. In a best-of match-play situation, sometimes the best team doesn't always win. This allows team that excels at knocking down the most pins.”
The Kats are coming off an 11-place finish at Vanderbilt and will have just five days between competitions.
“Usually for us, when we have a quick turnaround we usually bounce back,” Hagen said. “I think they are going to be ready to get back out there. I think we just have to survive day 1. We want to win the first two matches so we can sleep in on Saturday.”
