Erickson & Burger Start Off 2018 With 1st Career PJBT Titles

The PJBT continued its 19th Season with our first event of the 2018 Calendar Year!  This event #20 was a regular season singles event at Hiester Lanes in Reading, PA.  The event saw 64 athletes take to the lanes….consisting of 35 Scratch Bowlers and 29 Handicap Bowlers.  Their lane pattern for the event was Bourbon Street.  The weather outside was frigid cold but the bowling was hot!

In Scratch, Isaac Erickson started off the year strong with his first ever PJBT Title.  Erickson got off to a hot start like many and never looked back.  He was near the top of the leaderboard all day.  Erickson shot 220, 245, 266, 246, and 267 during qualifying for 1244 (+244).  He was seeded 2nd out of 35 bowlers, trailing only tournament leader Brandon Updike.  The 14th place cut for qualifying was +147.  Erickson maintained his 2nd place position in match play.  His good games plus match wins propelled him from +244 to +371 after 8 games.  He was still seeded 2nd entering the five bowler stepladder final.  Erickson entered the finals in the semi-final match vs Daniel Althouse.  Erickson and Althouse have faced off against each other many times….including high school states.  Erickson seems to have Althouse’s number.  That continued on this day.  Isaac shot 267 and beat Althouse 267-204.  That advanced Isaac Erickson into the title match vs new tournament leader Joey Ocello.  This final match was close into the late frames.  However, Erickson struck out and put the pressure on Ocello.  Ocello had to double in the 10th to win.  His first shot came up high and did not strike….sealing the win for Erickson.  Isaac Erickson won a $200 scholarship and plaque for his victory.

In Handicap, Aidan Burger captured his 1st ever PJBT title.  Burger was another bowler near the top of the leaderboard all day.  Burger entered the event with a 153 average and 42 pins handicap per game.  He shot scratch qualifying games of 132, 174, 182, 221, and 204 to stand at 1123 (+123) after 5 games.  He was seeded 3rd entering match play.  The first cut for 12th place was +28.  Burger had a good match play round …..going from +123 to +234 after 8 games.  He moved up to 2nd place entering the 5 bowler stepladder final.  In the semi-final match, Burger took on Jacob Wakefield.  Burger defeated Wakefield 201-156.  This advanced Burger into the title match vs tournament leader Dean Fisher.  This title match was exciting….as it came down to the final shot!  In the end, Burger squeaked out a 226-222 victory for the win.  Aidan Burger won a $200 scholarship and plaque for his victory.

Congrats also to Eric Erb, who bowled a perfect 300 Game during Game 2 of qualifying.  Erb’s 300 Game earned him a $154 scholarship in the 300 Pot.

Next week:  PJBT Major #6 at ABC East Lanes in Harrisburg, PA.  Major event means extra payouts for entire field and top payouts for girls.  Major format is 6 games/3 Match-Play and top 7 to finals.  Guaranteed Top Prize $300 scholarship in each division.