2nd Major of Year for Althouse / 1st Major for Malinowski at ABC East

The PJBT continued its 19th season with a trip to ABC East Lanes in Harrisburg for our 6th Major Event of the Season.  On this day, we saw 64 athletes take to the lanes….including 33 in Scratch and 31 in Handicap.  This major event was conducted on a long pattern never used before in competition.  Pattern was created by Doug Dukes at Kegel.  Format for this event was 6 games, top 40% bowl 3 games of match play and the top 7 advance to the livestreaming finals.  The finals was 2 shootout rounds and 2 stepladders to determine our champion.

In Scratch, Daniel Althouse won his 2nd major title of the season.  The pattern started off tough for most….as the scores had everyone fairly grouped together….not one person ran away with qualifying.  Althouse came on in Game 6 of qualifying….bowling a high game of 276.  Althouse started with 199, 215, 229, 224, and 212 before his 276.  After 6 games, Althouse was at +155 and had the lead.  The 14th place qualifying cut was -49.  In Match Play, Althouse maintained his lead by going 3-0 in match play with games of 245, 209, and 235.  After 9 games, Althouse led the field with +334.  This meant he entered the finals in the title match vs #2 Alexis Neuer.  This title match was close but in the end Althouse outlasted Neuer 225-212 to take home the victory.  Althouse won a $300 scholarship and glass bowling pin for his title.

In Handicap, Zachary Malinowski won his 1st ever Major & PJBT title.  Malinowski entered the event with a 101 average and 89 pins handicap.  During qualifying, Malinowski shot games of 100, 180, 87, 112, 158, and 98.  With his handicap, he had the tournament lead at just +69.  14th Place qualifying cut was a tie at -92 between brother and sister Barnhart.  After a roll-off, Tyler Barnhart advanced.  In Match Play, Malinowski went 3-0 with games of 129, 142, and 125.  After 9 games, Malinowski stood at +222 and was the leader entering the 7 bowler final.  In the title match, Malinowski took on #2 seed Sydney Bohn.  Bohn, who had also bowled well all day….gave Malinowski a run for his money.  In the end, Malinowski defeated Bohn 188-141 to win the title.  Zachary won a $300 scholarship and a glass bowling pin for his major win.

Congrats also to Alexis Neuer (1st) and Jennifer Williams (2nd overall scratch in handicap) to win the girls scholarship payouts.  With sidepots, we gave out over $1700 in scholarship on this day.  No honor scores were bowled on this week’s pattern.

Next Week:  PJBT returns to Trindle Bowl in Mechanisburg, PA, for our 3rd 21 & Under Doubles Event of the Year.  This event typically sells out so sign up in advance online now!  Sunday Jan 21 at 10:30am.