Erickson Wins Back To Back while Andrew Arnold #1 at Jay

The PJBT continued its 20th Anniversary Season with a trip to Jay Lanes in Douglassville, PA, for our first Saturday Afternoon event of the year.  This event was a regular season singles event with our standard singles format.

This event saw42 bowlers competing on the day, including 26 in Scratch and 16 in Handicap.

In Scratch, Isaac Erickson captured his 2nd title of the year and won in back-to-back PJBT events….coming off his first week of the year at Palmyra Bowling Center.  Erickson started the day with a solid start.  He shot games of 232, 244, 206, 244, and 204 for 1130 (+130).  1st round qualifying cut for 12th place was -37.  Erickson was seeded 4th out of 10 bowlers to make match play.  Match play is where Erickson made his move.  He shot a perfect 300 game during match play and boosted himself into a good position.  He was seeded 2nd entering the finals….trailing only tournament leader Gene Blair.  In the stepladder finals, Erickson entered into the semi-final match vs #3 seed Joey Ocello.  Erickson bowled an amazing 268 game to beat Ocello 268-213.  This advanced him into the title match to take on Gene Blair.  This event was a strike fest….but in the end…Erickson outlasted Blair 255-223 to capture the victory.  Isaac Erickson received a $200 scholarship for his win and a plaque for his victory.

In Handicap, Andrew Arnold of Harleysville, PA, captured his 1st career PJBT title.  Arnold entered the event with a 150 average and 45 pins handicap.  Andrew shot scratch scores of 161, 174, 162, 170, and 168 for 1060 (+60).  Arnold was seeded 3rd out of 8 bowlers to match play. 1st round Top 8 cut was -40.  Arnold won all his matches in match play and propelled himself into the lead of the event heading into the finals.  In the title match, Arnold took on #3 seed Tori Cappiello.  Cappiello entered the match winning her last 2 matches in the stepladder.  This match came down to the lane frames….but in the end Arnold defeated Cappiello 204-188.  With the win, Andrew Arnold won a $200 scholarship and plaque.

In all, we gave away over $1000 in scholarships.  Congrats also to Gene Blair, who bowled the other honor score of the day.  Blair had an 11-in-a-row 296 game during qualifying.  Other Notes:  Erickson was not in the 300 pot…so despite his perfect game, 300 Pot still stands at $128.

Next week:  The PJBT rolls into Leisure Lanes in Lancaster, PA, for our 2nd MAJOR singles event of the Year.  In addition, the first BuddiesProShop.com Adult Bowlers Tour event will take place at Leisure.  Events for youth and adults….PJBT starts at 10:30am and Adult Event at 12Noon.