The Berkshire Badgers boys and girls bowling teams began their second week of the season with a match against the NDCL Lions Nov. 29 at Ernst Lanes.
The Berkshire Badgers boys and girls bowling teams began their second week of the season with a match against the NDCL Lions Nov. 29 at Ernst Lanes.
Both matches were extremely close, with the Badgers teams defeating NDCL by a slim margin.
Rolling two individual games, followed by three Baker games (each of the five bowlers on the team bowl two frames of the game for one total score), the Badgers Boys bowlers defeated the Lions by a pin count of 1,905-1,889.
In the individual games, the Badgers went ahead 1,476-1,372 to lead the Lions by 104 pins heading into the Baker games.
Top individual performances were bowled by NDCL’s Kody McPadden, who rolled a 224 and 210, Berkshire’s Mario Romagni, who threw a 203, Berkshire’s Ryan Kessinger, who rolled a 185, and Berkshire’s Levi Rohl, who bowled a 182.
Trailing by more than 100 pins entering the third and final Baker game, the Lions boys made a great effort toward a comeback.
Though they rolled a 203 in the final Baker game, the Lions fell 16 pins short of tying up the match.
“It was a close match,” said Berkshire Coach Kevin Johnson. “Mario needed a double to win the varsity match, and he did (get the double).”
Added Badgers team captain Owen Zaumeyer, “The match today, it was a really close one. It came down to the wire, but we ended up pulling it out there (at the end).”
The girls bowling match progressed in a very similar fashion.
In the two individual games, the Badgers took the lead 1,215-1,146 in total pins.
Berkshire’s top games were rolled by Mac Conrad (159) and Charlotte Connors (150). NDCL’s top game was bowled by Hailey Kinney, who scored a 143.
In the three Baker games, the Badgers outscored the Lions 355-330 to get the victory and move to 2-0 on the season.
“Today’s match was really good,” said senior Delaney Pinzone. “Our first Baker was really rough, and we were only up by 30 pins. Our last Baker, we really pulled through. We got spares on almost all of our frames.
“It’s just about, like, staying relaxed and confident in yourself, really.”
Clearly, going into the third Baker game, the Badgers girls team listened to Coach Johnson’s pre-game speech and utilized his advice.
“I just told them, fill the frames,” Johnson recalled. “You know, spares win games, just like I always say. … Just pick each other up and stay positive.
“We got a 10-second rule: remember that frame for 10 seconds and then you move on. Don’t worry about the past.”
In addition to the Badgers’ positive mindset and focus, NDCL senior captain Bella Beletic mentioned how proud she was of her team’s positive team chemistry in its season opener.
“When Bakers came around, I definitely picked it up,” Beletic said. “I am super proud of our new girls. They did very well in the Baker games.
“We just had a lot of teamwork, a lot of cheering for each other, and that’s what helped us through.”
“We did fairly good; a 144 is a good (Baker) game for our first match.”
After facing Wickliffe, the Lions would Willoughby South and Eastlake North on Dec. 5, while the Badgers would face Wickliffe on Dec. 6.
