Ocello Two In A Row / Laubach Wins First of Season at Jay Lanes

The PJBT continued its 19th season with a trip to Jay Lanes in Douglassville, PA for a Saturday Afternoon event.  This event saw 45 competitors take to the lanes with 27 in Scratch and 18 in Handicap.  It was a regular season singles event format.  Lane pattern for this week was the Kegel Recreational Pattern Bourbon Street.

Joey Ocello became our 1st 2-Time Winner of the Season….as he won back to back weeks.  He followed up his Marathon Victory on 9-3 with a win on this day.  Ocello went +108 for the first 5 games of qualifying.  Ocello was seeded 5th of 12 bowlers entering match play.  The 12th place cut for Round 1 was +53.  Ocello went 2-1 in Match Play, with games of 258, 240, and 214.   Ocello was seeded 3rd of the 5 finalists entering the stepladder final.  Ocello began his walk to victory with a match vs Austin Kerper.  Ocello posted an impressive 266 game and won 266-206 over Kerper.  In the semi-final match, Ocello took on Antonio Reyes.  Reyes struggled early and often….just could not get comfortable on the title pair.  Ocello defeated Reyes 195-158.  This advanced Ocello to the title match vs tournament leader Zack Vitelli.  Ocello started hot early and never looked back.  He shot 254 in the title match and beat Vitelli’s 213.  Ocello won the $200 top scholarship prize and plaque for his victory.

Parker Laubach captured his 2nd career PJBT title and his 1st of this season.  Laubach led the field of 18 after qualifying.  He entered with 161 average/35 pins per game.  He shot 174, 236, 211, 166, and 198 to be at +160 for 5 games.  Qualifying round cut for 5 games was -29.  Laubach, only most champions….went 0-3 in match play.  He bowled ok games but struggled to win a match.  He shot 198, 170, and 145.  He surrendered the lead but was able to make it into the finals as the #5 seed of 5.  Despite his 0-3, he turned the record around by walking the ladder and winning 4 straight matches!  He defeated Mason Doan in Game 1 203-198.  In Match 2, Laubach defeated David Swavely 191-185.  In the semi-final, Laubach squeaked out a win over Tommy SanFilippo 167-160.  All 3 of his first 3 matches came down to the final frame!  In the title match, it was Laubach vs Ethan Matthews.  Laubach got off to a hot start and made sure the final match was not as close as the last 3.  Laubach defeated Matthews 246-168 to take home the $200 top scholarship prize and plaque for his victory.

Congrats also to Austin Kerper, who bowled our only honor score of the day.  He shot an 11 in a row 297 game!

Next Week:  Onto Major #2 of the season.  Major Singles Event at Leisure Lanes, Lancaster, PA.  10:30am Start Time.  Extra Payouts and Top Girl Payouts for Sunday 9/17!