CANTON — Kevin Schott was preparing to post his first Facebook Live video and was going to award a Bowlifi jersey to the viewer who predicted what his series would be during the Tuesday Summer Trio league at Eastbury Bowling Center.
“It was my first time doing it. But I knew I had to shoot big because of some big numbers were being guessed,” the 24-year-old Alliance right-hander said.
Schott, who is an associate staffer with Bowlifi, a bowling apparel company, did just that, rolling games of 256, 249 and 299 for an 804 series to add to the best season of his bowling career.
Schott, who finished with three 800 of his career six 800 series this season to go along with 17 300 games, averaged a composite 235 during the 2022-23 winter season — eight pins higher that his career-high of 227.
“It absolutely was my best season. The big thing was slowing down my ball speed this season,” the Clem Lumber employee said. “Also, I switched from Storm to Track (bowling balls). I just got a better reaction off the Track balls … they weren’t as jumpy off the back end like Storm is. Storm is like that.
“It just helped me get through the pins a lot better.”
Schott, using a Track Sensor that night, left a 10-pin spare in the first frame of Game 1 and then followed with a 7-count on his first ball in the second frame. He covered the spare and struck into the 10th frame.
In Game 2, a lack off carry was the problem and he left four one-pins spares, including two smash 7-pins. But it all came together in Game 3 until a 10-pin on his final ball.
“The first game, I missed to the right when I left the seven-count,” Schott said. “The last game, I was just on fire. I had a good line all night, but it came down to a lack of carry the first two games. But you get that everywhere.”
Schott joined Bowlifi in May with the help of PBA50 pro John Shreve.
“I applied for the opportunity, and John is the rep around here. He sent me everything,” Schott said. “He sent me everything and they accepted my application in three days. I’ve been there ever since.”
Schott also defended his title in the Alliance Challenge sport shot tourney, bowled on four separate patterns. He also finished second to Eric Long in the Alliance Masters.
“I have no idea how to top this season,” Schott said. “Just try to keep it going and average a little higher.”
And Ryan Roland won the Storm Bowlifi jersey with a guess of 805.