Commanders Trophy Bowling: 552nd AMXS stars outshine Fire Dawgs: Published Jan. 29, 2008 By John E. Banks Tinker Public Affairs TINKER AIR FORCE BASE -- The bowling stars from the 552nd Aircraft Maintenance Squadron and Fire Dawgs shined brightly Jan. 23 at the Tinker Bowling Center. At the end of the evening, the stars of the 552nd AMXS were brighter as they claimed the 3248-3021 victory. Going in to the match, Fire Dawgs team captain Billy Newton felt his team had a chance to defeat the 552nd AMXS. "We have a 130-pin handicap advantage and we need to use it," he said. "We will have to have our game on tonight to defeat these guys." The early stages of the first game were a struggle for both teams. However, Newton and Steve Holekamp got the Fire Dawgs rolling. They combined for six strikes to give their side a 615-564 lead through six frames. The 51-pin deficit motivated Mike Cumella and David Jackson of the 552nd AMXS. The duo rolled six consecutive strikes to help their team overtake the Fire Dawgs and grab the game one victory, 1068-951. "We finally found the dry spot in the lanes and the ball reacted to it enabling ourselves to get back on track," said James Wong, 552nd AMXS bowler. The Fire Dawgs had the advantage through the first three frames of game two. But, Jackson and Cumella once again were the driving force as the 552nd AMXS rebounded. Jackson led off the game with six consecutive strikes. He and Cumella bowled 249 and 233, respectively, to lead the AMXS to the 1084-1015 win. "We all bowled well together once we figured out the condition of the lanes tonight," said Jackson. The third game was a little closer. The Fire Dawgs had a 588-516 lead through the first three frames as Newton and Holekamp led the way with five strikes between them. Cumella stepped up his game with four consecutive strikes through the eighth frame to put his team in the lead at 796-767. Though the Fire Dawgs tried to rally, the 552nd AMXS took game three 1096-1055. "We gave it our best shot," Newton said, "however it just wasn't good enough tonight." The win puts the 552nd AMXS in a tie for third place with a 92.0-60.0 record, while the loss drops the Fire Dawgs to 66.0-86.0.