Sterling Heights, Mich. - The 2023 NAIA Men's Bowling National Championship hosted Baker Play at 5 Star Lanes to determine the seeding order for bracket play on Thursday. Teams tossed six sets with four rounds each on Thursday morning.

The Marian men's bowling team qualified fourth during baker play on Thursday, knocking down 5043 pins on the day to earn a first round bye. The top-four in addition to the Knights includes top-seed Indiana Tech, second-seed Lawrence Tech, and third-seed SCAD Savannah. Indiana Tech led the tournament field with 5400 pins in baker play.

Marian began the morning sitting in 10th place after the first set of baker play, tossing a 750 score. The Knights drastically improved following the conclusion of the second set, knocking down 855 pins to vault to fourth place. Marian would bowl a 915 in the third set, 831 in the fourth, 918 in the fifth, and 774 in the sixth to complete their 5043 score, sitting in fourth place for the remainder of qualifying. Marian's 918 in the fifth set was their top set score of the day, missing out on a field-best in the fifth by one pin. 

The Knights fourth place score in qualifying earned a first-round bye, allowing the Knights to take on the winner of No. 5 Tennesse Southern or No. 12 William Penn. The remainder of the NAIA National Championship is a double-elimination tournament, with bracket play beginning at 8:30 a.m. on Friday, March 24. Marian will bowl at 10:00 a.m., and will compete on lanes 7 and 8. Remaining tournament games are best of five baker games. 

MUKnights.com: Your online source for Marian Athletics, tickets, multimedia, Knight merchandise, photos, and more.