NORTH CANTON — Wayne Lovelace had thrown strikes in practice.
But in the first frame during Game 1 in the Spectrum Orthopaedics league on a recent Monday at Park Centre Lanes, the 45-year-old North Canton right-hander left a 10-pin in the first frame.
“It was like, here we go again,” said Lovelace, who manages a Gionino’s Pizza in Massillon.
But this wasn’t a normal night. Lovelace had games of 269, 269 and his 30th career 300 for an 838 series, his career high and seventh 800 overall.
“As it turned out, I probably haven’t thrown the ball better,” said Lovelace, who bowls in three leagues at Park Centre with averages ranging from 224 to 230.
The Monday league is his lowest average, but not because of the conditions.
“I just have more responsibilities with being league secretary,” Lovelace said. “I run the (side action) pots and with work and other things, it’s a busy night.”
That night, Lovelace left just four pins all night — the first and seventh frames of Game 1 and the first and fifth frames of Game 2. Needless to say he made them all.
“When I had the two 269s, I knew I had a chance at 800. But I’ve seen it before,” Lovelace said. “I really didn’t feel any pressure on the 300. There was a little more when I was thinking about the 800, but it was pretty well locked in before the 10th.
“But being my career high, this one means a little more.”
Lovelace used his Storm Dark Code for his milestone.
“I really didn’t make any moves all night. Just changed my speed when I needed to,” Lovelace said. “The target was right around the fifth board straight up. I’ve been using that ball a lot here.”