The Sam Houston State University bowling team won the LA Tech Invitational to open up their 2020-2021 competitive season.

Not only was this the Bearkats’ first tournament since their season was called due to the COVID-19 pandemic in March, but this was also the first competition in all of Sam Houston’s athletic programs.

The Bearkats were able to secure the number one seed going into the final day of competition after gaining a 261-pin lead over all other competing schools.

The team was able to make a strong comeback on Saturday after going 1-2 on the previous day. They went undefeated on Saturday, hitting over 1,100 pins in two matches against both Tulane University and Stephen F. Austin University. Their other two victories came against the University of Alabama Birmingham and SFA again.

The Bearkats were able to make this comeback thanks in large part to freshman Denise Blankenzee who scored over 200 points in all four games on Saturday with an average of 226 pins per game.

“That first tournament for a freshman is always tough, and she did a great job of settling her nerves today,” head coach Brad Hagen told GoBearkats.com.

On the third day of competition, the Bearkats faced the 4th seeded Lumberjacks with a chance to advance to the championship game. The Bearkats swept the Lumberjacks three games to none to face Louisiana Tech University in the finals.

The Bearkats were able to defeat LA Tech four games to two in order to seal the championship. The final match was won 183-181 thanks to three strikes in the tenth frame which gave the Bearkats the final push toward victory.

“I thought we made some great adjustments throughout the day and were really able to build our confidence,” Hagen told GoBearkats.com.

The Bearkats will return to competition on Nov. 20 in the Track Kat Klash that will be held in Conroe, Texas.