KENMORE, N.Y.—The William Smith bowling team finished third in the Hilbert Hammer Classic over the weekend. Senior Michaela Morgan led the way, finishing fourth in the individual standings and earning All-Tournament honors.
 
The Herons went 3-2 on both days of the tournament, raising their season record to 26-12 overall.
 
TRADITIONAL MATCHES

• William Smith 851, Mercyhurst 828
• Saint Vincent 1,063, William Smith 1,000
• #25 Niagara 883, William Smith 853
• William Smith 979, Hilbert 824
• William Smith 929, D'Youville 776

 
In Saturday's traditional matches, the Herons combined to bowl eight 200 games. Morgan notched a 236 against AMCC rival Saint Vincent, tied for the sixth highest game in program history, while first-year Natalie Yale added a 210. The Herons finished the match against the Bearcats with a program record 1,000 pins. Unfortunately, SVC logged a 1,063 to win the match.
 
William Smith also got a pair of 200 games against Hilbert with sophomore Brooke Gervais posting a 232 (13th on the Herons' match list) and senior Caitlyn Anschutz notching a 202. William Smith's 979 pinfall against the Hawks is fourth highest by the Herons in a traditional match.
 
The Herons wrapped up Day 1 with another 200-game double, defeating D'Youville behind Gervais' 209 and Anschutz's 205.
 
Morgan averaged 189 on Saturday, fourth in a field of 61 bowlers.

BAKER MATCHES

• Daemen 868, William Smith 840
• Roberts Wesleyan 865, William Smith 839
• William Smith 891, Hilbert 746
• William Smith 873, Roberts Wesleyan 867

 
On Day 2, the tournament format shifted to Baker matches. The Herons dropped their first two matches, by 28 pins to Daemen and 26 pins to Roberts Wesleyan. William Smith got back in the win column with a dominant effort against the Hawks and eked out a six-pin victory in a rematch with the Redhawks.
 
THIRD PLACE MATCH
 
With a 5-4 record, the Herons squared off against 4-5 Mercyhurst in the Baker Best of 7 third-place match. The Lakers won the opening game, but William Smith bounced back to claim the next three. Mercyhurst took Game 5 and Game 6 to set up a decisive Game 7. The Herons claimed third place with a 156-141 win in the clincher.
 
SEE YOU NEXT YEAR

• The tournament was William Smith's final event of the calendar year. The Herons will return to action Jan. 16-18 when they compete in the Northeast Classic in New Castle, Delaware.