Sam Houston State returns to capture Allstate Sugar Bowl Collegiate Bowling title

Going into this weekend’s Allstate Sugar Bowl Collegiate Bowling Invitational at AMF All Star Lanes in Kenner, Sam Houston State and Tulane had won the last two editions.

On Sunday, the Bearkats and the Green Wave squared off for the 2017 title. Sam Houston, ranked No. 5 in the coaches preseason poll, walked away with the title – the fourth time in six years SHSU has won the local event.

In a very closely contested best-of-seven Baker format match on lanes 19-20, the teams split the first four games, each winning when bowling on lane 19.

It appeared that would again be the case in the fifth game, but Tulane left an opportunity for the Bearkats with an open in the 10th frame. Sam Houston’s Stephanie Zavala answered the call and got three strikes to win the game 225-224, giving the Bearkats a 3-2 lead in the best-of- seven match.

Moving back to lane 19 for the sixth game, SHSU kept the momentum and started with five consecutive strikes en route to a 256-201 clinching victory.

“I guess we like bowling here,” said Sam Houston coach Brad Hagen, whose team did not compete in the 2016 event because of a scheduling conflict. “Winning here will be a huge confidence builder for the year.”

On Zavala’s clutch performance, Hagen said, “(Bowling in the fifth spot) is something she wanted. I guess she proved that she can handle the pressure.”

Said Tulane coach Hayley Veitch, “It would have been nice to repeat, but I can’t fault the girls for how they performed the entire weekend.”

Tulane, ranked 17th in the preseason coaches poll, displayed its roster depth over the course of the three-day event, with all eight members of the roster making a contribution.

“This team as more depth than any I have ever had,” Veitch said, “and this will give us more options.”

RECORDS GALORE:  Tulane opened its tournament with a record-setting performance, opening  with a Baker game of 287 and 5-game total of 1241 on Friday morning, setting school records.

In Saturday’s fourth game, freshman Madison McCall tied the school single-game record held by her teammate Michelle Ng with a 289 game. Ng set the record two years ago as a freshman in the first game she bowled at Tulane.

300 GAME: Sam Houston State junior Madysen Keller bowled the first 300 game in tournament history Saturday. It was her first career perfect game.

“I was very nervous, but just trusted my mechanics,” said Keller, whose previous high game was 279.

LOCALS: Baton Rouge native Keondra Eaton made her collegiate debut a very successful one, averaging 206 with a high game of 244.

“It was more than I expected, but I loved it,” said Eaton, a Baton Rouge High alum who finished third in the state individual singles championship last spring.

On choosing to go to Florida A&M, Eaton said, “I made the right choice. This school is cool.”

ALL-TOURNAMENT: Stephanie Schwartz of Stephen F. Austin was named Most Valuable Bowler by virtue of her 245.6 average for five games Saturday.

Joining her on the all-tournament team was Taylor Russell of UAB, the Sam Houston duo of Zabala and Keller, and Tulane’s McCall, who was competing in her first collegiate tournament.