Bortnick & Cappiello Win First High Scoring Event of Season at Berks

The PJBT continued its 19th season with a trip to Berks Lanes in Sinking Spring, PA.  This event was a regular season singles event on a recreational Kegel Pattern, Big Ben.  Well Big Ben produced Big Scores….as 64 athletes took to the lanes.  We had 39 in Scratch and 25 in Handicap.  Format was standard PJBT format of 5 games, 3 games match play, and top 5 stepladder.  On this day, based on entries….we paid out the Top 8 in Scratch and 5 in Handicap.

In Scratch, Sam Bortnick brought home the victory.  Bortnick started out with solid games in qualifying of 215, 207, 259, 263, and 237.  Bortnick was at 1181 (+181) after 5 games and was in 9th place.  He actually trailed tournament leader Francis Vitelli by 130 pins.  The top 16 bowlers advanced from qualifying to match play.  16th place cut was +155!  In Match Play, Bortnick went 3-0 in with a large block of games.  He propelled himself from 9th to 2nd entering the stepladder finals.  In the semi-final match, Bortnick took on #4 seed Anthony Neuer.  Neuer won his first 2 matches in the stepladder and seemed lined up.  However, the lanes transitioned as Bortnick, a left-handed bowler also, started the match.  Bortnick got lined up while Neuer struggled to hold the consistency.  Bortnick defeated Neuer 205-170.  This advanced Bortnick into the title match vs tournament leader Jack Celmer.  Celmer finished 2nd last week and was looking to get redemption.  It did not happen on this day for Celmer.  Bortnick continued his striking ways and shot 258 in the title match.  Bortnick defeated Celmer 258-225.  Sam Bortnick won a $200 scholarship and plaque for his win.

In Handicap, Victoria Cappiello captured her 1st ever PJBT title.  Cappiello entered the day with a 165 average and 31 pins handicap.  She shot scratch games of 183, 235, 195, 166, and 214.  She stood at 1148 (+148) for 5 games and was seeded 2nd behind qualifying leader Mason Doan.  In Round 2, she moved to the lead….winning a majority of her match play matches.  This moved Cappiello into the lead of the tournament entering the stepladder finals.  In the title match, Cappiello took on Mason Doan for the victory.  Doan lost the lead of the event in match play but was seeded 4th for the finals.  Doan won every stepladder match to make it to the title match vs Cappiello.  Doan defeated Vaughn Kercher 216-191, Morgan Kline 229-226, and Desiree Dent 248-239.  In the title match, Cappiello and Doan went shot for shot!  It came down to the 10th frame and Cappiello squeaked out a victory over Mason Doan 225-217.  Victoria Cappiello won a $200 scholarship and plaque for her victory.

The honor score lit up on this day!  We want to congratulate Ryan Carlisi for rolling a perfect 300 Game during Game 1 of qualifying.  Next, Jack Celmer rolled a perfect 300 Game during Game 2 of qualifying.  After Game 3, Francis Vitelli completed an 822 series with games of 289, 254, and 279.  Later in the day, Celmer also had an 11-in-a-row 290 Game during qualifying.  Congrats to all our bowlers!

Next Event:  Bonus Payout Scholarship Tournament Combined Event PJBT/JBT – $500 top scholarship prize offered!  AMF Conchester Lanes, Croydon, PA 10AM start — Sunday 10/29