ERIE, Pa.—The William Smith bowling team went 5-5 and finished in eighth place in the season-opening Mercyhurst Invitational over the weekend.
 
The Herons were led by senior Michaela Morgan and junior Caitlyn Anschutz, both finished in the top 15 in average following Saturday's traditional matches. Morgan opened the season with a strong 245 in a win over Daemen and averaged 195 to finish eighth in a field of 70 bowlers. Anschutz was also locked in against the Wildcats, rolling a 236 on her way to a 189.8 average and a 13th place finish.
 
William Smith finished the first day with a 2-3 record. In addition to beating Daemen, the Herons also took down D'Youville while suffering setbacks to the host Lakers, Kutztown and Wright State. On Day 2, William Smith won three of its four Baker matches, including a one-pin victory over No. 25 ranked Niagara. The Herons lone loss was to No. 12 Mount St. Mary's.
 
DAY 1: TRADITIONAL MATCH SCORES

• William Smith 965, Daemen 945
• Mercyhurst 981, William Smith 863
• William Smith 886, D'Youville 846
• Kutztown 877, William Smith 801
• Wright State 1007, William Smith 774

 
DAY 2: BAKER MATCH SCORES

• William Smith 923, Penn State Behrend 881
• William Smith 878, #25 Niagara 877
• #12 Mount St. Mary's 905, William Smith 868
• William Smith 963, Pitt-Bradford 811

 
Wright State won the tournament, defeating Niagara 4-2 in a Baker best of seven match. Mount St. Mary's won the third place match 4-2 over Mercyhurst. Daemen took the fifth place match 4-2 over Kutztown. In the seventh place match, Pitt-Bradford topped the Herons 4-2. D'Youville defeated Penn State-Behrend 4-1 to finish ninth.
 
SEVENTH PLACE MATCH: BAKER BEST OF 7

• Pitt-Bradford 4, William Smith 2

 
COACH'S COMMENTS

"Our total pinfall and overall finish was far from what I know we are capable of, but it's difficult to have that tough of a field early in the season with only two full weeks of practices in the books. I'm very pleased with how our returners stepped up in many of our matches, and I am looking forward to seeing the development and growth of our first-year athletes. This weekend gives us an idea of what we need to focus on in the coming weeks to be stronger in the next event." – Head Coach Heather Sterner

 
ON THE HORIZON

• William Smith will return to action Oct. 26-27 when they visit St. Anselm for the Ebonite Hawks Soar Higher Open.