Pittsburgh, Pa. – The Duquesne University bowling team returned to action this weekend, finishing fourth at the Mount Shootout in Mount Joy, Pa., at Clearview Lanes. The Dukes finished with a record of 8-5 during the competition and own an overall record of 41-35 (.539) during the 2025-26 season.
 
REAL FEEL
Despite dropping a 1,077-1,031 decision to Kutztown to open Baker play Friday, Duquesne set the tone early. The Dukes followed by cruising past Wagner, 1,039-522, to close the first day of the tournament with four consecutive victories. Included among the wins were a 995-966 victory over Molloy, a six-pin victory over Maryland Eastern Shore (UMES), 1,031-1,025, and a 966-859 triumph over Howard to close the first day. Duquesne eclipsed 200 in a total of 11 games during Baker competition through five matches in finishing fourth with 5,062 total pins. The lineup included freshman Jazmyn Scott, sophomore Anna Clark, junior Ivanna Fraticelli, senior Emma Siekierski and junior Maribeth Baker. Freshman Taylor Miller started the match against Kutztown before Clark subbed in during game four to compete the rest of the day.
 
TRADITIONAL
Moving into traditional play Saturday, the Dukes stretched their winning streak to five by opening the day with an 1,199-,1026 victory over No. 8 Niagara before the streak was halted by No. 20 Bryant. The Bulldogs earned a 1,083-1,047 win over Duquesne, but the Dukes rallied, closing the afternoon with three consecutive victories. A 1,022-935 win over Mercyhurst preceded a 1,035-940 victory over FDU, and Duquesne closed the second day of competition with a 1,101-747 triumph over Holy Family. In going 8-2 in the first day two days of competition, Duquesne tied the Purple Eagles for the best overall record and sat second in total pins with 10,466, an average of 209.3.
 
HEAT SENSOR
Leading the charge individually for Duquesne was Baker, who was dominant in the first three games of traditional action, averaging 266 thanks to 798 total pins, which at the time were 72 more than second place. She fired a 266 to open Saturday's action in the win over the Purple Eagles, followed with a 255 against the Bulldogs and rolled a 277 in the triumph over the Lakers. Baker wrapped traditional play with 1,214 total pins in five games, an average of 242.80, to earn her second career individual championship and first since her rookie season. Her tournament average ranks second all-time in program history, trailing only the 246.14 that Olivia Farwell secured at NEC #2 in her final season with the program during the 2021-22 campaign. Baker's first individual title came at the Hawk Classic Nov. 18, 2023, when she tied for first with 1,398 pins in six games, an average of 233.
 
THE LINEUP
In addition to the individual crown for Baker, she was one of four Dukes to finish in the top 25 individually in a field that included 106 participants. Siekierski finished 11th with an average of 214.20, knocking down 1,071 pins. Fraticelli averaged 208.60 with 1,043 total pins to close 18th, while Scott tied for 22nd with Kamryn Brenneman of Kutztown with 1,028 total pins and a 205.60 average. Scott's high game came in the opener against the Purple Eagles with a 245, a number that was matched by Fraticelli in the same game. Siekierski, meanwhile, rolled a 235 in the win over the Knights. Clark appeared in three traditional games, averaging 198.67 before being replaced by Miller, who like Siekierski fired a 235 against FDU before closing with a 217 against Holy Family.
 
STRIKES & SPARES
Duquesne opened the championship bracket Sunday against Niagara, falling, 4-0 … The Purple Eagles went on to win the tournament, defeating the host Mount, 4-2, after Mount St. Mary's defeated the Dukes in five games … Duquesne concluded the tournament in fourth after falling in seven games to FDU … The Dukes fought back from a 3-1 deficit against the Knights before dropping the seventh game by eight pins, 200-192 … The score for Duquesne in the opening game Saturday in the victory over Niagara is the second highest in program history in traditional competition, trailing only the 1,209 the Dukes compiled in a win over No. 20 LIU in the 2022 NEC Championship … The score of 1,101 in the win over Holy Family also ranks as one of the top 25 traditional scores in program history … Thanks to the individual crown for Baker, a bowler for the Dukes has won a tournament in each of the last seven years.
 
UP NEXT
Duquesne heads to Steel City Bowl & Brews in Bethlehem, Pa., beginning Friday, Feb. 13, to compete in NEC #2, a tournament that concludes Sunday, Feb. 15.
 
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