76th MXS rolls to victory in league bowling

Published Dec. 13, 2007
By John E. Banks
Tinker Public Affairs

TINKER AIR FORCE BASE -- The first and third place teams in the Commanders' Trophy Bowling League squared off at the Tinker Bowling Center Dec. 5 with bragging rights at stake.
   The result was the 76th Maintenance Wing capturing a hard fought 3259-3168 victory over a valiant Hellifino squad.
   "This match will be like a position round match," Hellifino bowler said Dennis March before the match. "We have to overcome a 112-pin handicap disadvantage so we will have to be on our game tonight."
   In the first game, each side rolled strike after strike. Christopher Sweet, 76th MXW, got his team going by throwing three consecutive strikes in the first three frames. Scott Bagensie, Hellifino, matched Sweet with six consecutive strikes of his own to cut into the76th MXW lead.
   The Hellifino duo of Bagensie and Christopher Ferr rolled strikes in the seventh and eighth frames, giving their side an 864-856 advantage.
   Undaunted by this surge, Sweet, Robert Munroe, Dawn Street and Andy Anderson responded with strikes in ninth and tenth frames giving the 76th MXW an 1107-1067 victory in game one.
   Sweet said the victory in game one was a total team effort. "Our teamwork is what gets us victory after victory," he said.
   In the second game, Hellifino put together a group effort trying to cut into the handicap advantage held by its opponents. Traci Applebee, Bagensie and March, who bowled 226, 236 and 268 respectively, led the charge. Their effort propelled Hellifino to an 1109-1033 victory in game two.
   The decisive third game was up for the taking. Hellifino bowler Karl Dooley was feeling the effects of a winter cold. He summoned all the energy he could muster to help out his team.
   "You definitely can tell Karl is not feeling all that well," March said. "He is putting forth a great effort for our team."
   Despite the effort, the 76th MXW quintet held a sizeable lead behind the bowling of Munroe and Sweet. Each rolled strike after strike giving their side a huge 875-698 lead through seven frames. The lead was threatened and the 76th MXW captured game three 1119-992.
   "Our effort tonight was indicative of our season," Sweet said. "We always find a way to scratch and claw our way to victory."
   The win by the 76th MXW gave them a season record of 77.0-27.0 and kept them in first place. The loss dropped Hellifino into sixth place with a 62.0-42.0 record.