UMES Bowling moves on to the ITC after placing third in Smyrna. (Photo - easternshorehawks.com)

SMYRNA, Tenn. — The University of Maryland Eastern Shore bowling team secured an outing at the United States Bowling Congress Intercollegiate Team Championships after Sunday’s competition at Smyrna Bowling Center in Smyrna, Tenn.

After 32 Baker team games and Friday’s singles competition, the Hawks finished in third place behind St. Francis (Il.) and Savannah College of Art and Design. The championships will consist of the top four teams from each sectional and will take place April 18-21 at Sun Valley Lanes in Lincoln, Ne. University of Alabama-Birmingham rounded out the top four.

Hawks Head Coach Kayla Bandy, a University of Pikeville graduate, saw the Bears barely miss the cut after a 5th place finish.

“We had to knock out the alma-mater to do it but I now bleed maroon and grey, so can’t feel too terrible,” Bandy said.

The Hawks averaged 191.88 for the entire outing. Advancement to the ITC was decided by the total pin fall for 64 games.

UMES averaged 189.19 through the first quadrant of 16 Baker games, 295 pins behind St. Francis and finishing at sixth. After the second quadrant, the Hawks moved up to fifth and were about 300 behind St. Francis at 6,122 pins with a 191.31 average.

“The field was scrappy, but the pattern was hard. It was conducive to players that spin the ball and for once that is not our strength,” Bandy said. “It was really hard to get the ball through the friction in the heads, but we nailed the surface adjustments and made it work.”

After 48 games, Eastern Shore moved up to fourth on the final day of competition. Their score sat at 9,272 with a 193.17 average, just two pins behind Alabama-Birmingham for third.

The Hawks passed UAB for third after a push in the final quadrant.

Sacred Heart won the sectional at 30 Strikes in Stratford, N.J. with a score of 12,779. Delaware State finished second, scoring 12,735. Notre Dame (Oh.) finished third at 12,560 with Schenectady County Community College finishing fourth at 12,267.

The St. Clair Bowl in Fairview Heights, Ill. was won by Lindenwood with a score of 13,424. Grand View placed second with 13,061, Stephen F. Austin third at 13,055 and St. Ambrose at fourth with 12,798.

Wichita State won the USA Bowl in Dallas with a score of 12,435. McKendree (12,175), Newman (12,040) and William Penn (11,758) rounded out the top four.

The ITC and ISC rounds will be taped on April 21 and air nationally on CBS Sports Network on April 24.

Women’s singles will air April 24 and men’s singles on May 1. Women’s team final will show May 8 and broadcasts will conclude with the men’s ITC on May 15.