A year ago, Alliance right-hander Kevin Schott was denied his first opportunity for an 800 series by a 10-pin.
On Sept. 27 in the Tycor Roofing league at Eastbury Bowling Center, Schott found himself in a similar situation. He left 10-pins on his first ball in the ninth and 10th frames.
This time, however, only spares and a solid fill ball were needed to accomplish his goal. He completed both tasks for his first career 800 — an 814 — which came after opening the night with his fifth career 300 game.
“I definitely could work more on my spare shooting,” the 22-year-old Clem Lumber employee said. “It’s one of the most important parts of the game.
“Jeff DiMarzio has been working with me a lot of that. He just keeps telling me to work on my 10-pins. And I needed that to fall to reach my goal.”
Schott, who bowls in three leagues including the Northeast Ohio Travel League, had 797 a year ago to just fall short.
This time, following the opening 300, he left a 10-pin in the first frame and another one in the ninth for 269 in Game 2. Needing 231 to accomplish his goal in Game 3, he opened in the first frame with a 2-10 split.
But then Schott ran off seven strikes in a row before leaving another 10-pin. This time, with a goal on the line, he made it to pretty much clinch his 800 opportunity.
“The pressure really wasn’t much,” said Schott, whose averages range in the 220s. “I just had to make that 10-pin and the one in the 10th. I knew what I needed to do.”
Schott describes his power style as “I’m not a big hook guy … kind of throw it off the side and down the middle,” but he has made equipment changes since last season.
“I threw a lot weaker stuff last season,” Schott said. “This year, I’m using more aggressive equipment and it drives more through the pins.”
Schott also credits the travel league for improvements in his game.
“This is my first year in the league, and it has helped me learn about different oil patterns,” Schott said. “I’m averaging higher than I ever have.”
And also picking up more 10-pins.